Orthognatic Surgery, babies and small children

Message

#1 Post by **abz** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:35 am

Hi guys. I'm new here. I'm 25 and am on a waiting list for orthognathic surgery.

I am getting married next summer and want to start a family shortly afterwards. By this time i should have had the pre-surgery orthodontic treatment.

I was hoping somebody would be able to advise me on how small children react to the change in how you look post op. Obviously I won't be able to have surgery whilst pregnant but I am worried that a baby won't recognise me afterwards. Or even if I should wait until a child is old enough to understand what is going on.

Has anybody had a similar problem?

Thanks for your time.

Abz xx

#2 Post by **badbite** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:12 am

abz, There are at least a few of us here with small children. I have not had my upper jaw advancement yet, but I did have my SARPE. I think the hardest thing with young children is the healing stage. It is hard to heal from surgery while trying to take care of a family. My kids did not even care about the swelling and bruising. I do daycare and those children didn't care either. They would just say. "You have a boo-boo?" I would say "yes, so be careful with my face. Be nice to me." That was it. Little kids are so emphathetic. DOn't worry the babay didn't ever notice a thing.

The braces freaked them out more! I just got black power chains on top, and day care kids ran screaming that I had scary teeth. I let them touch the braces so they could see they don't hurt, and all was well. Now it is fun. they can't wait to see what color my teeth will be when I get back from the orhto.

#3 Post by **abz** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:30 am

i am just worried that when my appearance changes a small child may not recognise me. but having not had one yet i don't know whether facial appearance will make that much difference to a baby...

how much difference does an upper jaw advancement change your appearance? That is what i am going to have done. I am a complete novice I'm afraid so please be patient with me. Plus I just blew up the fuse box. Am frantically trying to find fuse wire!!

abz xx

#4 Post by **Lirpa** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:28 pm

Hi there,

I have a 20 month old and he didn't seem to notice all that much. I was really worried he would freak out.

I have read over on yahoo groups that you should wait 1-2 years after this surgery to have a child, or your bones will not heal properly. You may want to consult your doctor. We want to have another one too, but I will probably try to wait a year.

#5 Post by **abz** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:54 pm

Thanks for that. Given how long it's going to take to get the ball rolling with this (i'm in the UK so on an NHS waiting list) hopefully I will already have a small child and won't mind waiting a bit longer if we want another

To think when i first went it was all supposed to be over now before i hit delays, ha.

abz xx

#6 Post by **Twinjoy** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:08 pm

I have two yr old twin boys and recently had a deviated septum corrected. They didn't think twice about recognizing me but they did seem concerned until the bandages came off. My mother in law recently had some plastic surgery done that changed lots of things and my sons (even though we live in another country) still recognized her when we went back to the states for a visit. Don't worry about what the baby will think no matter what age he/she might be. It will probably be more of an adjustment for yourself and your husband then your soon to be child!

#7 Post by **abz** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:17 am

Thanks so much guys. I'm starting to feel much better about it now

abz xx

#8 Post by **Happysmiler** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:22 am

Hi abz,
I am in the UK too and had an upper jaw advancement (9mm) in July. There are subtle changes and improvements but on the whole there is not a bit enough difference for people not to recognise me.
The swelling stage is the worst and you will see a bit difference initially, but it all settles down after a few months.
Friends that I have seen since my operation have been surprised at the change but within half an hour are used to it.

I would not worry at all about young children, they recognise many things such as voice and mannerisms so I would not even think they would notice anything at all.

Best wishes
Happysmiler

#9 Post by **Emaciated** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:49 am

My 1-year old didn't notice at all, and I was A MESS. She was more excited just to see me again after the operation. (Example: see the contact page on http://www.thisisjustwrong.com)