To those considering orthognathic surgery....

Message

#1 Post by **metalmouthmedic** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 6:03 am

For those of us unlucky enough to have a wonky bite, I want to encourage you all that surgery is worth it.
I am 18 years old from Scotland and a medical student.
I underwent orthognathic surgery(bimaxillary osteotomy and genioplasty) on the 22nd December, and so am now 6 days post-op. Although the timing was not great (day 3 being christmas day!??!) I do not regret getting this procedure done at all. I have worn braces since november last year and had been contemplating the surgery for about a year before that. Now that I have got it done, I dont know why I panicked so much! I was supposed to be in hospital til the 24th but my consultant surgeon decided that, as my mum is a doctor, I could be discharged early, 24 hours after I had my operation! By that time I was walking about, if a bit gingerly, though I did have drains in my neck which were a bit frustrating!
The first few days after the operation were by far the worst I have ever experienced. I was not in pain at all, however the tingling from the numbness and the tightness of my muscles made it very uncomfortable for me, night time being the worst with nobody to distract me from my face. On Christmas Eve I got 2 hours sleep, my parents got 3. However, my parents were wonderful, making sure I was distracted, and we even managed a walk outside on the 24th. On christmas day, while the others ate turkey and the full christmas dinner, I had soup and custard. I am not banded shut at all which has made it much easier to eat. My energy levels at this point were very low and I was suffering from major mood swings! (to my brothers despair!). I know that this all does not sound like fun at all but I am trying to show that yes it is hard but it does get better. Every day since Christmas Day has got that little bit easier and now, on day 6, even though I am still uncontrollably dribbling, have a slightly(though not as much as expected) swollen face and bruising on my neck, and low energy levels, I am starting to feel normal again. My speech is affected by the fact that I cannot move my face very much but as long as the person Im speaking to knows, I have no problems with people contact. My mum took me into town today which was stressful, but in hindsight was a good idea. One of the hardest things for me was going out into public with a swollen face, being very self conscious!
My advice to anyone considering orthognathic surgery is make sure you have a good support group behind you so that when you are going through those first few days they are there to lift you up and take your mind off things for a while and also to bully you into going for walks, going into public. I could not have done this without the support of my family. Walking was very good as it eased the tightness around my face and made me feel more normal. Also, drink lots. I started off with a straw but found this incredibly difficult and so soon just started drinking straight from the cup. Messy but easier! Go into this operation with a positive attitude and expect it to be hard. You will come out the other side and the more positive you are the quicker you will get back to normal.
Any way, sorry for going on but I just wanted to share my thoughts on this operation. Yes it was hard, but at only day 6 I am already seeing the benefits of having this done.
Hope this helps
metalmouthmedic x

#2 Post by **ORTHO12** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 6:29 am

Well done and good luck for the rest of your recovery!!

#3 Post by **loveyourself** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:02 am

Thanks for the great post. I think I will be the same way (not wanting anybody to see me all swollen) but having people around who will make you is a good idea. Thanks for the great advice and I hope your recovery continues to go well!

#4 Post by **Jane** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:36 pm

Congratulations on getting through so far and especially for your optimistic and positive outlook. I agree with everything you say about the importance of being positive and also about having people to support you - this is VERY important as it is so easy to get down after this surgery - it is long recovery, so don't under-estimate this either and you will probably get down at times - this is normal.

I'm speaking from a 'supporting parent's' perspective and I just want to say please don't under-estimate how much this takes out of your loved ones. It is very difficult to see someone you love suffering - so please allow your loved ones to help you as it makes them feel better too.

I'm wondering were you had your surgery in Scotland - no worries if you don't want to say. My daughter had her second surgery in Scotland - in Edinburgh - the surgeon did a wonderful job for which we are so grateful. To see my daughter's beautiful smile this Christmas is the best gift ever.

Again, every blesing to you and your family.
Love and God bless xx

#5 Post by **ORTHO12** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:48 pm

Aww Jane that was a touching post!!

#6 Post by **Jane** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 6:44 pm

Hi Ortho12 - I've been following your posts and I'm really delighted to see that you are making progress - it will all be worth it in the end.

My daughter is doing really well. It is just amazing to see the difference a few months can make. She's due to see the surgeon again in January, and I'm sure he'll be delighted to see the progress she's made since he last saw her - the swelling does take a lot of time to settle and there's still a bit to go, but her teeth are just lovely and her smile is - fantastic!With much love to you (and prayers too). xx

#7 Post by **metalmouthmedic** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:50 pm

Thank you all for your kind comments. That is me at the one week mark and feeling even better than ever! Although the energy levels are much lower than normal, if my face was not swollen and numb, I would be absolutely normal.
Jane, I had my surgery in Kilmarnock. My surgeon does the most of this type of operation in the whole of Scotland apparently, if not the UK so i was definitely in safe hands! In fact, apparently I broke a record for the fastest discharge after bimaxillary surgery in Scotland!
Glad to hear that your daughters surgery was a success and thanks again for all your best wishes.
happy new year

#8 Post by **queenofoverbite** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 1:13 pm

I'm glad it was such a positive experience for you!
It really helps to hear positive words of encouragement from the other side!

Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:42 pm

Needed to add a mention as there isn't much info when googling ortho in Scotland.

Hah! coming from Edinburgh i was told orthognathic surgery was not performed there and had to go outside.

Had my operation at St Johns, Livingston and Orthodontics at EDI, Edinburgh Dental Institute much thanks to Dr Hammond, Margaret and my Surgeon Dr Kissun. ok, i thanked them back in November '09

. Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant.

#10 Post by **cheekysara** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:47 am

Hiya, I too have been treated in St Johns by Mr Kissun and the EDI by Mr Hammond. It's soo good to know of someone else who has been treated here.

#11 Post by **suzyscientist** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:59 am

Hi guys,

I'm getting orthognathic treatment in Scotland too! Just started treatment at Edinburgh Dental Institute for class 3 malocclusion. I've had my braces for almost a month, first adjustment on 10th May.

I've been to the joint clinic to meet the surgical consultant dude (I can't remember his name, but he was tall, quite thin and had an English accent) but nobody said anything about where the surgery would be done - but I didn't ask!

It's good that you guys said that because I'll need to arrange transport - or get someone to drive me. My boyfriend is an engineer offshore so has to go away to work at short notice. I guess I could get him to take holidays but I don't know when my surgery would be - they said minimum 12 months from the start of treatment.

How much notice did you guys get before your surgery date?

Suzy

Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:21 pm

Hello

Mine was 4 months notice.

Originally allowed braces in Feb '09 then surgery in April '09, two months in braces was enough since there wasn't much room for movement from previously braced twice. My cousins wedding was later that Summer so i wouldn't be able to recover in time so i decided to delay it. Restarted my orthodontic treatment in September. A letter came from the hospital in July with surgery dated for November.

#13 Post by **revolutionary** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 6:19 pm

I had about 3-4 weeks notice. I didn't go through orthodontic treatment before my surgery, so the only concern after my original consultation with my OS was getting insurance approval, which generally takes a few weeks. So in mid February - I forget when my first consult was - they scheduled me for 3/18, and it all worked out.