Facial Profile Concern about Ortho Surgery

Message

#16 Post by **LemnzestManatee** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:29 pm

That's a very disheartening thing for a surgeon to say. I had surgery a month ago to correct an overbite, and my surgeon assured me that she would make sure my face looked good as well. The only reason I got a sliding genioplasty was to "harmonize" my face and make my profile flow better.

Maybe you should tell your surgeon that you know that the surgery isn't to make you look like a movie star or anything, but that you want your profile to flow well rather than risk things been out of sync. Maybe he would understand that better...

#17 Post by **eveningninja** » Wed May 20, 2009 2:10 am

Yeah I was quite bummed he said that. We've planned on my surgery being some time in October though. I guess I can just keep wearing the rubber bands to increase my underbite a bit more before the surgery happens. Should/can I call my surgeon and talk to him? It's kind of a hassle to drive all the way out to the city he is in, as I don't have a car and rely on my dad for transportation.

#18 Post by **Twinjoy** » Wed May 20, 2009 3:25 am

I know what I say probably won't mean much to you. I know you want your surgeon to tell you exactly what you want to hear but please trust me on this. I am starting my 4th week post BSSO, I was worried I needed surgery on my top arch because of my gummy smile, my surgeon guaranteed that the amount of gum I show keeps me looking youthful, and any more gum would look bad but less would make me look older. The surgeons (even military ones) really do know what they are doing as far as aesthetics of your face. While you may think you need more of a movement for your lips to align correctly, after looking at your pictures and post surgery pics of people with similar bites I am sure you will be very pleasantly surprised. If the surgeon where to move it more to make your lips look better your bite would most likely suffer in the long run.

I don't know anything about insurance but I believe the surgeon would not report something that could possibly get the insurance denied. If your surgery is already approved by the insurance company the only thing that could make you denied is if different codes are used then what were approved (I believe).

I know you really think you need more then the surgeon says but I really do think that he/she knows best and will provide you with the best of both worlds in the end.

#19 Post by **changes09** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:14 am

Sorry, you did not hear what you wanted. But sinc eyou are a little warery (sp) about your OS. You should ask to see some of the pictures of his cases. Or even see if any of the patients want to talk. Maybe after seeing his cases you will change your mind and see that he knows what he is doing.

Just be careful with those rubberbands. They might mess things up so bad that you will be in braces longer to fix what you messed up. It happens alot....your October usrgery might be pushed back.

#20 Post by **eveningninja** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:34 am

changes09 wrote: Just be careful with those rubberbands. They might mess things up so bad that you will be in braces longer to fix what you messed up. It happens alot....your October usrgery might be pushed back.

What do you mean?

#21 Post by **archangel689** » Wed May 20, 2009 6:38 am

FIND A NEW SURGEON WHILE YOU STILL CAN.

MINE would NEVER say something like.

eveningninja wrote:Okay so I just got back from seeing the surgeon. I didn't really hear what I wanted to hear

My surgeon said something along the lines of: "This is a functional surgery with aesthetic implications, not an aesthetic surgery with functional implications." And so basically he disregarded my concern about de-compensating my bite further before surgery happens. I don't understand; I thought that this wouldn't be that crazy of a request or that hard to go about doing. I just want to look normal

#22 Post by **archangel689** » Wed May 20, 2009 6:43 am

That wasn't very reassuring and a borderline idiot comment.

Seriously, get a second opinion from a better surgeon, see what the other guy says.... this guy sounds like a hack in my opinion.

#23 Post by **eveningninja** » Wed May 20, 2009 7:26 am

archangel689 wrote:That wasn't very reassuring and a borderline idiot comment.

Seriously, get a second opinion from a better surgeon, see what the other guy says.... this guy sounds like a hack in my opinion.

To get a second opinion from another surgeon, should I ask my orthodontist which one to see? Or can I just go schedule an appointment with any surgeon that works within the insurance company I am under? For some reason I don't think my orthodontist would care or want me to see another surgeon. It seems like both the ortho/OS don't really care what I think and just want to get this thing done

#24 Post by **changes09** » Wed May 20, 2009 8:05 am

eveningninja wrote:
changes09 wrote: Just be careful with those rubberbands. They might mess things up so bad that you will be in braces longer to fix what you messed up. It happens alot....your October usrgery might be pushed back.
What do you mean?

You have an underbite. You don't want to "tip" your teeth too far foward, or too far back to the pain that they have to reverse what wsa done. Which means longer time in braces, rubberbands, and your surgery date will be pushed back. Plus, too much tipping of the teeth are not good for the roots.

#25 Post by **eveningninja** » Wed May 20, 2009 2:56 pm

changes09 wrote:
eveningninja wrote:
changes09 wrote: Just be careful with those rubberbands. They might mess things up so bad that you will be in braces longer to fix what you messed up. It happens alot....your October usrgery might be pushed back.
What do you mean?
You have an underbite. You don't want to "tip" your teeth too far foward, or too far back to the pain that they have to reverse what wsa done. Which means longer time in braces, rubberbands, and your surgery date will be pushed back. Plus, too much tipping of the teeth are not good for the roots.

But isn't that what you're doing? How can you know how far your teeth can be moved without any relapse/problems?

#26 Post by **eveningninja** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:01 am

Hey changes09, is your surgeon certain that your teeth won't experience relapse and fall into an overbite once you have surgery? Is there a way to prevent that?

#27 Post by **changes09** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:30 am

I know that when you if you tip the teeth to much it compromises the roots. And once the roots are loose or the movement compromises the bone then you might loose those teeth.

My surgeon is going to wire my mouth shut for roughly 2 months. He said that wiring me jaw lessens the chance of perminent numbness, and lessen the chance of relapse.

#28 Post by **eveningninja** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:44 pm

I see. So until my next appointment if I just keep wearing heavy rubber bands you think I'd be okay though right?

#29 Post by **changes09** » Sun May 24, 2009 5:57 am

i say you just wear your rubberbands like the doc said.

#30 Post by **eveningninja** » Sun May 24, 2009 6:55 am

Yeah. Just out of curiosity what will your final underbite measurement be before you have your surgery?