SARPE Surgery
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It may go awaynazzila wrote:happy birthday my dear friend
sauerkraut
how old are u now? im 20 !!!
actuly i dnt hve prb wid expander !!! now this gap is my main prob
u said few weeks it will go !! please exact time my friend
love u all
. It's been about two weeks or more since I stopped expanding and my teeth haven't moved much of any that I can notice. I have just kind of accepted that it's going to take braces to close the gap now.----Eric
SARPE survivor 9-3-08
Braced 10-15-08
Evil expander removed 3-21-09
Surgery Survivor Sept 09
Braces off July 13, 10
SARPE survivor 9-3-08
Braced 10-15-08
Evil expander removed 3-21-09
Surgery Survivor Sept 09
Braces off July 13, 10
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crazybeautiful
- Posts: 745
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 2:20 am
- Location: Yorkshire, England
Hey just to update (and bump the thread)- so now I'm offically fully braced up. All my teeth are in the wire now. Didn't know it was common practice for back molars to be banded up too, but mine are now, anyway 
All I can say is OW! The pain! Hate adjustments! 
But surprisingly the spacers didn't hurt at all. My teeth must be used to them!
Was funny though because my ortho was asking what I'm doing now- which is Clinical Psychology at uni, btw- and she was like 'Oh we really need a clin. psych to come and work here to talk to the different patients who we treat and you'd be great because you'd have experienced it. How long do we have to wait until we can have you?'
So I've got my future job sorted already
Is everyone else doing ok? Anyone waiting for surgery?
All I can say is OW! The pain! Hate adjustments! But surprisingly the spacers didn't hurt at all. My teeth must be used to them!Was funny though because my ortho was asking what I'm doing now- which is Clinical Psychology at uni, btw- and she was like 'Oh we really need a clin. psych to come and work here to talk to the different patients who we treat and you'd be great because you'd have experienced it. How long do we have to wait until we can have you?'
So I've got my future job sorted already Is everyone else doing ok? Anyone waiting for surgery?
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crazybeautiful
- Posts: 745
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 2:20 am
- Location: Yorkshire, England
Good luck! It's a piece of cake really. In fact I think spacers are the worst thing about all of this so far for me (well, adjustments hurt like hell but that only lasts a few days. I had my first lot of spacers for about a month!)
At least you get the choice with your braces- here we get what we are given. I thought mine were Damons but yesterday she said In-Ovation Rs. Whatever they are, I'm one of the few of her patients that uses them (yay, I'm special. Not really, it's just my teeth are really bad they need all the help they can get
). I don't really know much about braces, nor care to be honest. I just wish my teeth would hurry up and move!!!
Any questions you want to ask abot SARPE? Ask away
At least you get the choice with your braces- here we get what we are given. I thought mine were Damons but yesterday she said In-Ovation Rs. Whatever they are, I'm one of the few of her patients that uses them (yay, I'm special. Not really, it's just my teeth are really bad they need all the help they can get
). I don't really know much about braces, nor care to be honest. I just wish my teeth would hurry up and move!!!Any questions you want to ask abot SARPE? Ask away
Hola compadre's
So yesterday I went in to get my top braces on (I get my lowers next month) and this is how it went. After the assistant had prepped all the top teeth and got every thing ready the dentist came over and started to work. He is actually my regular dentists' son but the dad was out that day and applying braces is a simple task so ya.
Well they get done bonding all the top braces and before the wire goes in they proceed to ask me what color band I wanted. I was like well, I want the clear bands so they blend in better. The doc looks at me and says well I think you should go with silver because they tend to not get dirty and match a lot better. I look up at him with a puzzled look and say, silver matches what? How does silver match a clear bracket? It was then that I could see in their eyes they knew they put the wrong brackets on lol.
So ya, now I have some sweet metal brackets, silver bands, and a silver power chain in front! They offered me a refund but I said that just wanted the clear brackets on. So in 26 days when I get the lowers on they have to re do the uppers with the ice brackets. I thought it was kind of funny even though I have to wear these ones for a month which isn't that big of a deal really. Oh, and as far as pain of braces goes I have none due to the SARPE surgery done a bit before so that's a bonus
So yesterday I went in to get my top braces on (I get my lowers next month) and this is how it went. After the assistant had prepped all the top teeth and got every thing ready the dentist came over and started to work. He is actually my regular dentists' son but the dad was out that day and applying braces is a simple task so ya.
Well they get done bonding all the top braces and before the wire goes in they proceed to ask me what color band I wanted. I was like well, I want the clear bands so they blend in better. The doc looks at me and says well I think you should go with silver because they tend to not get dirty and match a lot better. I look up at him with a puzzled look and say, silver matches what? How does silver match a clear bracket? It was then that I could see in their eyes they knew they put the wrong brackets on lol.
So ya, now I have some sweet metal brackets, silver bands, and a silver power chain in front! They offered me a refund but I said that just wanted the clear brackets on. So in 26 days when I get the lowers on they have to re do the uppers with the ice brackets. I thought it was kind of funny even though I have to wear these ones for a month which isn't that big of a deal really. Oh, and as far as pain of braces goes I have none due to the SARPE surgery done a bit before so that's a bonus
----Eric
SARPE survivor 9-3-08
Braced 10-15-08
Evil expander removed 3-21-09
Surgery Survivor Sept 09
Braces off July 13, 10
SARPE survivor 9-3-08
Braced 10-15-08
Evil expander removed 3-21-09
Surgery Survivor Sept 09
Braces off July 13, 10
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likemysmile
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:27 pm
Hello & Hirax
Hi Everyone! I'm new here but I've read various posts over the past several months. All the information was very helpful to me as I finally made the decision to have orthognathic surgery. I really appreciate all the insight and input everyone has shared! Thank you!
From the way it looks now I will get the whole-shebang of a treatment. The plan is as follows: Hirax, SARPE, braces, and both a Le Forte I osteotomy and a Sagittal Split osteotomy at the same time. Has anyone figured out how to fast forward through the next two years!
I got my Hirax cemented in on Wednesday and, providing I don't chicken out before then, my SARPE is scheduled for October 28. Will I eventually learn to speak with the expander? If not then I think I need to find a different job. I was planning to substitute teach this year but I think I may need to revise my plan. Anyone notice how difficult it is to say "surgery" with an expander?! Sounds more like surjwey when I say it! Any chance it gets easier to speak clearly after some expansion? Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part but it seems that with a little more room in the roof of my mouth it would be easier to speak.
So my orthodontist is aiming for 12mm expansion and maybe more. I'm imaging I will have a half centimeter gap! I'm not sure if one's GAP corresponds to the width of expansion but that's what I deduced. Too bad my GAP won't be here in time for Halloween! If I had to do this again I would plan more carefully to time that just right.
Has anyone had two Hirax devices? My orthodontist isn't sure he can get enough expansion with the single appliance as it is only designed to expand so far. He thinks I'll have to have the first expander removed and a larger one put in when that time comes. I'm assuming this will be a simple matter of taking molds and cementing the new appliance in place?
I'm also wondering how long I can expect the numbness from SARPE to last. I'm sure it varies for each individual but given that I don't have time to read through all the posts before my surgery I'm hoping a few will share what they experienced. I think the numbness has me worried as much as anything. It will go away eventually, right?
And, in case anyone is interested, I will also be blogging my way through this journey over the next two years. My site isn't up yet but it will be up before my SARPE. The website will be: likemysmile.com. Simply want to share my story in hopes that the information may help others, just like reading all the various stories here has helped myself.
Take care and happy brushing!
From the way it looks now I will get the whole-shebang of a treatment. The plan is as follows: Hirax, SARPE, braces, and both a Le Forte I osteotomy and a Sagittal Split osteotomy at the same time. Has anyone figured out how to fast forward through the next two years!
I got my Hirax cemented in on Wednesday and, providing I don't chicken out before then, my SARPE is scheduled for October 28. Will I eventually learn to speak with the expander? If not then I think I need to find a different job. I was planning to substitute teach this year but I think I may need to revise my plan. Anyone notice how difficult it is to say "surgery" with an expander?! Sounds more like surjwey when I say it! Any chance it gets easier to speak clearly after some expansion? Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part but it seems that with a little more room in the roof of my mouth it would be easier to speak.
So my orthodontist is aiming for 12mm expansion and maybe more. I'm imaging I will have a half centimeter gap! I'm not sure if one's GAP corresponds to the width of expansion but that's what I deduced. Too bad my GAP won't be here in time for Halloween! If I had to do this again I would plan more carefully to time that just right.
Has anyone had two Hirax devices? My orthodontist isn't sure he can get enough expansion with the single appliance as it is only designed to expand so far. He thinks I'll have to have the first expander removed and a larger one put in when that time comes. I'm assuming this will be a simple matter of taking molds and cementing the new appliance in place?
I'm also wondering how long I can expect the numbness from SARPE to last. I'm sure it varies for each individual but given that I don't have time to read through all the posts before my surgery I'm hoping a few will share what they experienced. I think the numbness has me worried as much as anything. It will go away eventually, right?
And, in case anyone is interested, I will also be blogging my way through this journey over the next two years. My site isn't up yet but it will be up before my SARPE. The website will be: likemysmile.com. Simply want to share my story in hopes that the information may help others, just like reading all the various stories here has helped myself.
Take care and happy brushing!
Yes! how many days did you spend in the hospital? The lady I called to confirm the surgery date said I should expect to stay for about a week, but some of you said I'd theoretically be able to go back to work after 3 or 4 days.crazybeautiful wrote:Good luck! It's a piece of cake really. In fact I think spacers are the worst thing about all of this so far for me (well, adjustments hurt like hell but that only lasts a few days. I had my first lot of spacers for about a month!)
At least you get the choice with your braces- here we get what we are given. I thought mine were Damons but yesterday she said In-Ovation Rs. Whatever they are, I'm one of the few of her patients that uses them (yay, I'm special. Not really, it's just my teeth are really bad they need all the help they can get
Any questions you want to ask abot SARPE? Ask away
-
crazybeautiful
- Posts: 745
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 2:20 am
- Location: Yorkshire, England
Blimey, a week! I thought I stayed in uncommonly long, and I was in for a day and a half!
It seems that people here from America are out much quicker than some of us (I'm from the UK, so that's where that comparison is at least), but a week seems silly. SARPE isn't much of a big deal compared to other surgeries, and like Meryaten says, people who've had these BSSOs and Leforts are out quite soon too. You won't want to do much for about a week after but I don't think that constitutes a week-long hospital stay- maybe have a word?
By the way, I always go on about this, but please try and at normally as soon as you can. Don't go against what your doctor tells you of course, but I was eating practically everything I did before after a few days. I don't think with SARPE you need liquids, and for me certainly, I could- and did- eat normally as soon as it felt right to do so. Just saying because a lot of pople seem to live on yoghurts after SARPE and there's no real need to
MTA: Ooh, it's been nearly a year since my SARPE already! Anyone know what stead that puts me for my bimax (I should be more technical by now, but that's how my ortho refers to it so it's stuck ). I'm so hoping for next summer 
- I know it depends on my teeth, but you know...
It seems that people here from America are out much quicker than some of us (I'm from the UK, so that's where that comparison is at least), but a week seems silly. SARPE isn't much of a big deal compared to other surgeries, and like Meryaten says, people who've had these BSSOs and Leforts are out quite soon too. You won't want to do much for about a week after but I don't think that constitutes a week-long hospital stay- maybe have a word?
By the way, I always go on about this, but please try and at normally as soon as you can. Don't go against what your doctor tells you of course, but I was eating practically everything I did before after a few days. I don't think with SARPE you need liquids, and for me certainly, I could- and did- eat normally as soon as it felt right to do so. Just saying because a lot of pople seem to live on yoghurts after SARPE and there's no real need to
MTA: Ooh, it's been nearly a year since my SARPE already! Anyone know what stead that puts me for my bimax (I should be more technical by now, but that's how my ortho refers to it so it's stuck
). I'm so hoping for next summer - I know it depends on my teeth, but you know...-
sauerkraut
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:57 pm
- Location: Germany
CB, Well done for bumping the thread! I sometimes wonder if we sarpies need a forum of our own (70+ pages can be a bit hard to navigate!). Glad to hear you’re fully braced now, and sorry to hear you’ve been in pain. Hope it’s getting better now. I’ve got Inovation R on my bottom teeth as well (I think) and Inovation C on top. I get the most aggro from the lower brackets. I hope your plan for next summer works out. Has your ortho given any clue how long it's all likely to take? Mine won't be drawn, but I've got a couple of big gaps to close so I wouldn't be surprised if I have to wait another year.
Esoteric, you poor thing, ending up with the wrong brackets! At least you’re taking it with good humour. Who knows, perhaps you’ll get so used to them you won’t bother getting them changed when the time comes. Good that you’re managing without pain, too.
Likemysmile, hello and welcome. It sounds like you’ve got lots to look forward to. Talking with the expander does get better the more you practise, although there were some sounds I never did properly got to grips with. I found I had to keep re-adapting during the expansion phase as well which was all good fun. But the more you talk the easier it gets. As for numbness, I didn’t have much – mainly around my top lip – and if I remember rightly it lasted several months but has completely gone now (I’m one year post SARPE).
Foxface, I bet you’re counting down the days now! When do you have to finally decide about brackets? The time in hospital really does seem to vary. I was in for 4 days. I think they were keen to keep me a day or two longer but I wanted to go home! And I think the diet afterwards varies a lot as well. CB obviously coped a lot better than I did because it was a full month before I was eating completely normally again.
Esoteric, you poor thing, ending up with the wrong brackets! At least you’re taking it with good humour. Who knows, perhaps you’ll get so used to them you won’t bother getting them changed when the time comes. Good that you’re managing without pain, too.
Likemysmile, hello and welcome. It sounds like you’ve got lots to look forward to. Talking with the expander does get better the more you practise, although there were some sounds I never did properly got to grips with. I found I had to keep re-adapting during the expansion phase as well which was all good fun. But the more you talk the easier it gets. As for numbness, I didn’t have much – mainly around my top lip – and if I remember rightly it lasted several months but has completely gone now (I’m one year post SARPE).
Foxface, I bet you’re counting down the days now! When do you have to finally decide about brackets? The time in hospital really does seem to vary. I was in for 4 days. I think they were keen to keep me a day or two longer but I wanted to go home! And I think the diet afterwards varies a lot as well. CB obviously coped a lot better than I did because it was a full month before I was eating completely normally again.
It's neat to read everyone's different experiences isn't it, as long as the outcome is the same.
As for SARPE, I was only in the hospital for a total of...8 hours including surgery and recovery time. Then off to home I went. A week for SARPE seems a little long but maybe they were talking about the big surgery?
As for SARPE, I was only in the hospital for a total of...8 hours including surgery and recovery time. Then off to home I went. A week for SARPE seems a little long but maybe they were talking about the big surgery?
----Eric
SARPE survivor 9-3-08
Braced 10-15-08
Evil expander removed 3-21-09
Surgery Survivor Sept 09
Braces off July 13, 10
SARPE survivor 9-3-08
Braced 10-15-08
Evil expander removed 3-21-09
Surgery Survivor Sept 09
Braces off July 13, 10
-
sauerkraut
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:57 pm
- Location: Germany
Yes, I've just realised what I keep forgetting is that my SARPE had a little added bonus: removing the weird bony growth along the roof of my mouth, which must have formed when my palate fused originally.
I think I was in surgery for about 4 hours and I had an extra row of stitches along the top of my mouth afterwards. So perhaps I've got an excuse after all for needing a bit longer in hospital and to get used to eating again
I think I was in surgery for about 4 hours and I had an extra row of stitches along the top of my mouth afterwards. So perhaps I've got an excuse after all for needing a bit longer in hospital and to get used to eating again
Hello everyone,
It has been 5 weeks since my SARPE and a week since I stopped activating my hyrax. I did a total of 30 turns which gave me approx. 7 mm expansion. The space between my front teeth is hardly noticable and my ortho said that by the time he puts my top braces in (December 2nd) I should have no gap at all.
My question is...I have this thick spongy area between my top lip and my nose. Has anyone else had this and how long before it goes away. Also, how long before I get feeling back in the lower part of my nose.
I wish I would have found this board before my surgery.
Thanks
It has been 5 weeks since my SARPE and a week since I stopped activating my hyrax. I did a total of 30 turns which gave me approx. 7 mm expansion. The space between my front teeth is hardly noticable and my ortho said that by the time he puts my top braces in (December 2nd) I should have no gap at all.
My question is...I have this thick spongy area between my top lip and my nose. Has anyone else had this and how long before it goes away. Also, how long before I get feeling back in the lower part of my nose.
I wish I would have found this board before my surgery.
Thanks
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sauerkraut
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:57 pm
- Location: Germany
Hi shari and welcome
Ooh, yes, the top lip and nose area - I remember that! A really weird feeling, hard to describe; I always thought of it as feeling "knotty" somehow, if that makes any sense! I can't remember exactly how long it lasted but I've had a look in my rather erratically kept diary and I was still mentioning it in there 7 months after the event, and the vague residual numbness went on even longer. I'm over a year post-op now and everything's pretty much back to normal.
My gap was also gone by the time I got into braces, and in fact my front teeth were even starting to cross over each other again. After just 5 months in braces my top teeth are now beautifully straight and I wish I could stop at this point but unfortunately there's still my lower jaw to sort out...
Keep us posted on your progress, won't you
Ooh, yes, the top lip and nose area - I remember that! A really weird feeling, hard to describe; I always thought of it as feeling "knotty" somehow, if that makes any sense! I can't remember exactly how long it lasted but I've had a look in my rather erratically kept diary and I was still mentioning it in there 7 months after the event, and the vague residual numbness went on even longer. I'm over a year post-op now and everything's pretty much back to normal.
My gap was also gone by the time I got into braces, and in fact my front teeth were even starting to cross over each other again. After just 5 months in braces my top teeth are now beautifully straight and I wish I could stop at this point but unfortunately there's still my lower jaw to sort out...
Keep us posted on your progress, won't you
Ah, the jealousy... I wish I was already at the point where you expand / close to the point where you stop expanding. That's when I'll see some major progress... Until then, nothing much will happen for me, the braces just sit there. Of the bright side, a large chunk of the time I'll spend wearing the expander ought to be done by new year's eve. It gives me something to work towards.
I really dread wearing the expander. I just have braces right now, they don't even pull my teeth anywhere, and it already hurts and I have a bit of trouble enunciating and eating is a pain. How did you manage to live with all that extra metal in your mouth?
I really dread wearing the expander. I just have braces right now, they don't even pull my teeth anywhere, and it already hurts and I have a bit of trouble enunciating and eating is a pain. How did you manage to live with all that extra metal in your mouth?