It's Crunch Time - Do I or Don't I, Please HELP!!

[jayMac]

Hi all,

I'm a frequent visitor here, finally decided to register and vent my feelings (in request for some feedback!!)

So, I have a class 3 underbite; my lower jaw sticks out basically and I have some problems with eating, grinding at night and a slight lisp. I live in the UK and I've had all of my pre-treatment appointments (via the NHS) and they are ready to begin the process; 2-2.5 years in braces, whilst having lower jaw surgery ONLY, after approx. 18 months, to move my lower jaw back by approx. 6mm.

All sounds great. But I need some help and information based upon the medical scenario and the cosmetic scenario >>>>>>

I would say the view I have on my appearance currently, is unsatisfactory. However, I actually started this process to get my bite sorted out (and I still am in it, partially, for this reason). Initially, treatment involved trimming down a tooth, but the doc's decided that they were taking shortcuts. So, many appointments later and finalised decisions about joint orthodontic-surgical treatment, I have become obsessed with the idea that they can actually get rid of my big chin (with the perception of my lower jaw being long!), as well as sorting out my bite!

Does this mean I am getting myself into this process for the cosmetic reason? The ortho and surgeon assume its PURELY for medical reasons - to fix my bite. But surely, in doing so, my appearance is going to improve (in my opinion), with the lower jaw being set back...

I'd like to know stories of any of you who have had this process done, for joint medical-cosmetic reasons? Do you regret it, are you glad you went through and had it all done? Do you feel better or worse about your appearance? (The surgeon operating on me hopefully will take my appearance into account when rearranging the lower part of my face), so I am currently positive about feeling confident and better about my appearance after! But is this really the case? I have heard a lot of stories about patients getting the surgery purely for cosmetic reasons and not being happy afterwards - I don't want this to be me!!

Moving my lower jaw back by 6mm doesn't seem like a lot at all? My surgeon says it will make me look different, but will it really? 6mm!!!?? That's less than the width of my little finger nail! Now, I want to look different as well as have my bite sorted out (which I'm presuming will happen), but its what I will look like afterwards which is the concern, particularly now that I'm partially relying on me looking good But 6mm!???

I need some advice of those who are having/ have had this process done!

Many Thanks,
Jay

[hduggan]

My son is *just*on the other side of surgery (i.e., he's still asleep in the recovery room and I haven't see him yet), but try googling "jaw surgery" at youtube. There are hundreds and hundreds of (mostly young) people documenting the whole thing.

My overwhelming impression is that, although they wouldn't have taken the risk of surgery solely for cosmetic reasons, it makes a huge positive difference in their view of themselves.

So, yes, it's perfectly fine to hope that it will improve your appearance, but I wouldn't do any particular procedure (other than the genioplasty, which is pure cosmetic but low risk) solely for those reasons.

[rektik]

Well I hope your son recovers well and the operation went exactly as planned!

Yes I have heard of the genioplasty treatment as an alternative cosmetic approach to jaw surgery, however it can only do so much and involves reshaping the end of the chin, which I wasn't so keen on! I have heard of people that do get oral surgery done just for cosmetic reasons though. Even though the procedure goes as planned, people still come out unhappy (but i suppose these patients are potentially overly-obsessive?)

I've heard there is some sophisticated software on the horizon that can predict your profile appearance post-surgery? NOt sure how far it is away from being in hospitals yet though.

[jayMac]

I hope the surgery has gone as planned and looks/ feels better for it in a few weeks time! As well as this solving any problems!

I'm still not sure what to do, I have heard of genioplasty, but this wont fix my bite at all and to me I see it more as a 'bodge-job' to fixing my appearance and problem.

[OhioM]

I did jaw surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, and I am happy with the results. There are some potential functional benefits that could end up being important, but my main motivation was cosmetic. I didn't have unrealistic expectations about what I would look like after - I didn't think I would suddenly look like Miss Universe or anything. I just knew that I wanted my jaw/face to appear NORMAL to the average person. I didn't want people to unconsciously stare at my mouth when I talked to them. All of this has come to pass now, and I am happy that I went through the surgery.

For you, having some medical reasons would make the surgery all that much more important.

[crookedsmile1]

Hey jaymac!

I'm undergoing jaw surgery mainly for cosmetic reasoning. Although my bite is uncomfortable its not like I'm living in pain. But my dentist did tell me if I don't fix it I will probably have some jaw issues later in life.

I work in a job where physical looks is a key factor. So I guess my surgery is also important for my career

[Jen1983]

I am doing it mainly for cosmetic reasons! Like you, I started out thinking about fixing my teeth only, but once my orthodontist told me that he thought jaw surgery would be necessary and sent me along to see the surgeon I realised that the surgery would fix the two main issues I have with my face....ie, my upper jaw being too narrow and my lower jaw being too long.

If I were you, I would tell the surgeon that your focus has become primarily aesthetic. I initially lived in one town, and I had seen a surgeon there. He told me what procedure they would do to correct my bite and asymmetry. That's when I first started to become obsessed about the procedure and think - yesss! that's exactly what I want! - then I moved to another town before I did anything to kick start the process. I saw a new surgeon in my new town and told him that the main reason I want to get the surgery done is for aesthetic reasons - he said that it makes a difference to how he will approach my treatment.

It's actually really good to have it out in the open, because now I can ask him all sorts of questions from a purely aesthetic angle, without having to pretend that it's not the main event!

Like you - I am really, really nervous and scared. I just had the SARPE surgery on Thursday and I've had my palate expander in since last Wednesday - the result from that is great already because it's immediately expanded my upper jaw. Now I am just wondering - what if things go WRONG following my surgery and I end up looking worse? I'm actually not miserable about my appearance but my lower jaw is definitely too long, I don't think I'll ever be happy with it. So, I think on balance I have to take the plunge and hope I am in good hands!!!!!

Ooo it's scary though....good luck!

[jayMac]

Hi Jen,

Yes your case is practically identical to mine! The only thing I would say is that although the surgeon is performing the surgery to correct my 'bite' and that only. I have made him aware that I am slightly concerned about the post-surgery look, because I am entirely happy with the way i look now (not entirely true obvioiusly!) So therefore, I would really think he would take into account my appearance during the operation.

My case is simple, I just need my lower jaw moving back by 6mm and thats it. Having tried to gauge what that will change in regards to my profile, i will look much better - my lower jaw wont appear to stick out, and that's exactly what I need!

If I was to mention to my surgeon about the cosmetic factor, I dont think he would agree to do the surgery as I am getting it done for free because of the medical factor... I think (and hope!) ill be fine!

[sarahorsomeone]

If you're getting it done for free because of medical factors, talking about cosmetic concerns shouldn't jeopardise that! It won't make your medical issues any less than they are all ready. It could be that you won't be able to get purely cosmetic additions like a genioplasty done.. but it shouldn't effect the surgery you're already entitled to.

Anyway:

I'd like to know stories of any of you who have had this process done, for joint medical-cosmetic reasons? Do you regret it, are you glad you went through and had it all done? Do you feel better or worse about your appearance? (The surgeon operating on me hopefully will take my appearance into account when rearranging the lower part of my face), so I am currently positive about feeling confident and better about my appearance after! But is this really the case? I have heard a lot of stories about patients getting the surgery purely for cosmetic reasons and not being happy afterwards - I don't want this to be me!!

Moving my lower jaw back by 6mm doesn't seem like a lot at all? My surgeon says it will make me look different, but will it really? 6mm!!!?? That's less than the width of my little finger nail! Now, I want to look different as well as have my bite sorted out (which I'm presuming will happen), but its what I will look like afterwards which is the concern, particularly now that I'm partially relying on me looking good But 6mm!???

I had double jaw surgery for both medical and cosmetic issues. I absolutely don't regret it; it's one of the best things I've ever agreed too! All my functional issues are gone, I look so much better and I feel so much more confident. Before surgery I cringed everytime I looked in the mirror, now I quite like my appearance (I'm not going to win Miss World anytime soon, but I think I'm reasonably attractive and I'm certainly satisfied with how I look).

You'd be surprised how much difference 6mm can make; I only had my lower jaw moved forward by about 3mm (or something like that) along with a-symmetry correction; it's still much more noticable in my profile that I'd have thought it would be. It's not as obvious as the 6mm vertical reduction (impaction) in my upper jaw; but you can still see it. I doubt you'll look like a completely different person, but you'll probably look a little different for the better.

[jayMac]

Hi!

Am a bit worried about confessing that I dislike my chin and reducing its prominence is what im really after! However Im sure the medical procedure will carry with it some cosmetic advantages like you say....

However I'm starting to think I can live with my bite, and the surgery option with braces is only going to change my profile and not the length of my face/ chin - even my oral surgeon said the height of face, from just lower jaw surgery will not change. My face is very long ish i hate it! I think by having something like a sliding genioplasty, this can help improve my profile aswell reduce vertical height of my face (vertical chin reduction). And then I could possibly avoid the whole 18 months of braces, time off work etc. As I said I could do with my bite being fixed no doubt for long term, but its really not my priority anymore... plus i hate comments being made towards me regarding my face, and i just want this to stop! I hope im not being weak in getting surgery to stop the comments...

[mia23]

Hey Jaymac,

I had a genioplasty solely to correct a receding chin, my lower jaw has not grown as far forward as it should have done (not sure all technical terms) but i opted not to have jaw srugery out of fear (this was a few years ago.........

I am nearly a week post op genioplasty and not happy with the results as this has made my face look long and chin look bigger.

My advice would be to be very clear on what u want from your frontal profile & ask the surgeon how it will change depending on what he suggests, as this changed significantly for me and i look like a different person (not what i was expecting at all). Make sure u understand how this will change..........

Goodluck x : )