Post-Jaw Surgery Appearance Change?

[ktbanh]

One thing I'm worried about having lower jaw surgery is that currently, I'm content with my appearance, but annoyed by my underbite because of its functional problems, but after the surgery, l'm afraid I will start becoming self conscious and confused about my changed appearance. After hearing alot of stories where people have lopsided outcomes, I'm curious on whether the majority of people are happy with the results of Lefort I and BSSO? I know it's subjective but I would like to know how often people end up looking a lot worse than before?

[Minerva]

A lot worse?

[ktbanh]

I meant "not satisfied with their new appearance"

[shanalouis]

yeah i am happy ...i've noticed each time the months go by my appearance keeps getting better and better...i'm 8 months post so i guess i am still seing little changes..haha i have cheekbones now but i dunno if its because i lost a lot of weight or because of the lefort 1...

[ceanna]

Many people who have dramatic changes are those who had both upper and lower jaw surgery. If you're only having lower jaw surgery, you don't have to worry about things like your nose changing (which can happen with upper jaw surgery). Are you having both upper and lower? In your post you mentioned lower jaw surgery, but then also a LeFort 1 and BSSO.

I've been through the emotional rollercoaster of doubts and insecurities regarding my post-surgery appearance, but ultimately, I'm very happy with both the functional and aesthetic outcome of my upper and lower jaw surgery. I had an underbite and my profile has greatly improved. I think sometimes I can get nitpicky and scrutinize things like my nose or my chin, but then all I have to do is look back on pictures of my pre-surgery profile to reassure myself that I wouldn't want to go back to looking like that. It's been awesome to finally be able to bite properly!

I think the majority of people are happy with the outcome of the surgery. A lot of the complaints you hear are from people in the early stages of recovery when insecurities and regret are common. The first couple of weeks are the hardest and it's common to experience a period of depression. It's hard to stay positive when your face is enormous and numb, you have trouble breathing, you're constantly drooling, you're on a liquid diet, and have trouble sleeping. Once you get past the first few weeks, things get better. It takes up to a year for swelling to go down completely in order to see the final result. If you ask those same people after one year, I bet most of them will say they are glad they got the surgery. I think it's good that you're preparing yourself for the range of emotions that people inevitably go through.

[Bullfighter]

... I've been through the emotional rollercoaster of doubts and insecurities regarding my post-surgery appearance, but ultimately, I'm very happy with both the functional and aesthetic outcome of my upper and lower jaw surgery. I had an underbite and my profile has greatly improved. I think sometimes I can get nitpicky and scrutinize things like my nose or my chin, but then all I have to do is look back on pictures of my pre-surgery profile to reassure myself that I wouldn't want to go back to looking like that. It's been awesome to finally be able to bite properly!

I think the majority of people are happy with the outcome of the surgery. A lot of the complaints you hear are from people in the early stages of recovery when insecurities and regret are common. The first couple of weeks are the hardest and it's common to experience a period of depression. It's hard to stay positive when your face is enormous and numb, you have trouble breathing, you're constantly drooling, you're on a liquid diet, and have trouble sleeping. Once you get past the first few weeks, things get better. It takes up to a year for swelling to go down completely in order to see the final result. If you ask those same people after one year, I bet most of them will say they are glad they got the surgery. I think it's good that you're preparing yourself for the range of emotions that people inevitably go through.

Absolutely.

I had an overjet, BSSO but no LeForte, but agree completely with this post. Now that I'm 5 months post-op, and the swelling is mostly gone, there's no way I would "time travel" back to my pre-op state.

The other things to keep in mind are:

1. You will notice the changes far more often than other people will. I think I look quite a bit different, but the only people who have noticed so far are those who knew I was having jaw surgery. Unless your underbite is extreme, this probably isn't going to be world-changing event you expect. (The more common problem is probably that people expect to be tranformed into a supermodel...)

2. You are accustomed to looking "wrong". I.e., in my case, my lower jaw had been retrusive for my entire adult life (30+ years), so I thought it looked "normal". Cosmetics are subjective to some extent, but there are correct proportions and if your surgeon is skilled the result will be closer to correct. Now I'm getting accustomed to my face with correct proportions and see that it's 1000x better.

3. Functional bite problems don't improve over time -- they get worse; your teeth will wear abnormally; and you may be extremely unhappy with your appearance later in life. I wouldn't regard this as optional surgery, if you've been diagnosed by a skilled and honest surgeon.

[ferris572]

Talk to your surgeon about your concerns. With today's imaging they can often show you what you will look like post surgery. Best of luck.

[shanalouis]

yeah but i wouldnt rely on the imaging though. those things are not usually accurate. i find i look better then my imagings i had got.

[ktbanh]

Thank you guys so much for these responses! I checked my post today not expecting that many responses but was thrilled to read what I read.

And I found out that I would be getting both Upper Jaw and Lower Jaw Surgery (Lefort I and BSSO) because I have an underbite/class 3 and that my jaw is tilted so they have to do my upper jaw too.

The main reason I want this is because of my bite problems/chewing problems so hopefully everything will work out! I was just worried I would look really weird and my friends wouldn't recognize me and think that I got plastic surgery or something, when it was actually just something for function.

[Bullfighter]

... The main reason I want this is because of my bite problems/chewing problems so hopefully everything will work out! I was just worried I would look really weird and my friends wouldn't recognize me and think that I got plastic surgery or something, when it was actually just something for function.

You'll probably look better and feel better, but unless your case is extreme, I doubt your friends won't recognize you. If anything, I think people expect too much from jaw surgery -- like it's going to transform you into George Clooney or Jennifer Aniston or (insert celebrity name here). You'll still look like you, but probably with a better profile.

That said, if you're having upper and lower, YOU almost definitely will notice that you look different, and that can take some getting used to. I've read that some people see therapists to come to grips with their new face, but all I needed was to see a bartender to pour the champagne. And an extra napkin to dab the champagne from my chin while my lip was still numb.

[TitaniumAdded]

... The main reason I want this is because of my bite problems/chewing problems so hopefully everything will work out! I was just worried I would look really weird and my friends wouldn't recognize me and think that I got plastic surgery or something, when it was actually just something for function.

You'll probably look better and feel better, but unless your case is extreme, I doubt your friends won't recognize you. If anything, I think people expect too much from jaw surgery -- like it's going to transform you into George Clooney or Jennifer Aniston or (insert celebrity name here). You'll still look like you, but probably with a better profile.

That said, if you're having upper and lower, YOU almost definitely will notice that you look different, and that can take some getting used to. I've read that some people see therapists to come to grips with their new face, but all I needed was to see a bartender to pour the champagne. And an extra napkin to dab the champagne from my chin while my lip was still numb.

I've had both jaws worked on and even though I've seen a fraction of my friends, I can walk by them and they won't know it's me. I've already had about 4-5 encounters with people I know well and I say hi, speak a few words, carry on with a conversation, and then find them facebooking me later asking if it was me. Interesting.
It's going to take some getting used to.

[Minerva]

TitaniumAdded,

I've just read in your blog about that guy dying from

medical complications.

[ktbanh]

People won't recognize that it's me??!

Were you guys happy with this change though in the long run? (for double jaw surgery)

Also, I'm getting surgery on the 13th!

Wish me luckk

[Lucia07]

ktbanh,

I'm happy you posted this question because I too am having upper and lower jaw surgery this month and so I had the same question you did. I'm happy to hear what other people had to say.

Good luck on your surgery!

[talkalot24]

Good luck!