Sorry, Should have said February 2014 surgery buddies

[survenant]

@Samoorelaw

You do realize that the ideal bite is a mild overbite/overjet right? something like 1-3mm. A bite-to-bite when the top teeth are right above the lower teeth is neither normal nor desirable. If your overbite is more than 3 mm, it is probably because the surgeon and the ortho try to correct a little bit more that needed because it is much easier to fix an overbite with braces than an underbite. Furthermore, because of the average relapse of 1-1.5 mm, it's also a good idea to overcompensate.

[samoorelaw]

@Samoorelaw

You do realize that the ideal bite is a mild overbite/overjet right? something like 1-3mm. A bite-to-bite when the top teeth are right above the lower teeth is neither normal nor desirable. If your overbite is more than 3 mm, it is probably because the surgeon and the ortho try to correct a little bit more that needed because it is much easier to fix an overbite with braces than an underbite. Furthermore, because of the average relapse of 1-1.5 mm, it's also a good idea to overcompensate.

I actually didn't know that. Thanks for the info; that makes me feel so much better. Even though they told me after the surgery that it went "perfectly," I was still a bit concerned when I looked at my new bite (what little of it I can see with the tight elastics, that is).

[survenant]

For further info, take a look at this image, it gives you a pretty good idea on how the top teeth should be placed in regards to the bottom teeth. I'm pretty that there are better images out there on the internets.

http://www.dentalmodels.co.uk/index.php ... 12&item=14

[samoorelaw]

For further info, take a look at this image, it gives you a pretty good idea on how the top teeth should be placed in regards to the bottom teeth. I'm pretty that there are better images out there on the internets.

http://www.dentalmodels.co.uk/index.php ... 12&item=14

I can tell you my top teeth are way over my lower teeth compared to this picture, but like you said, it's likely overcompensation in case of relapse. If I don't relapse, then will further orthodontics and elastics correct this problem?

[SoCalUniveristyLed]

Hi!

I underwent double jaw surgery 02-05-2014 and all was successful! Looks like I'm ahead of the other two posters by a week.

I spent less than 24 hrs at the hospital. Days 3&4 were pretty tough but it's slowly gotten better. Just had my one week post op with the is and said all is good and bit is perfect! Not sure exactly what I had done in terms of measurements, but I had my upper jaw moved up and back and my lower moved out slightly. Had a really nice gummy smile, but I think it's all gone! We'll have to wait for the swelling to go down.

I still have a lot of pressure and feel like my face from my eyes down is one big block of concrete. Anyone else experience that? Aside, I'm numb, but starting to have lots of tingling in my chin today. My OS said I need to up my calories and I'm slightly dehydrated. Since I can't imagine blending meat, any recommendations for liquids that can help me with this?

I'll try to check in at least once a day at least until I return to work-when ever that is. Just taking it day by day, but I did far better than expected, as I was absolutely terrified of having surgery and the pain. And it was all for nothing! I never even touched the hard pain meds after leaving the recovery room!

For those of you in the early days, hang in there....it will get better soon! Just keep a stiff upper lip

[survenant]

@samoorelaw,

Check how your canine teeth and premolars are place relative one another assuming you can open your mouth this far. This will give you a better indication than simply checking the front teeth.

[samoorelaw]

@samoorelaw,

Check how your canine teeth and premolars are place relative one another assuming you can open your mouth this far. This will give you a better indication than simply checking the front teeth.

I think they are aligned but not sure.

[redwine]

Got home from hospital late last night. Last night was pretty rough, but this whole procedure has been far rougher than anticipated. The 2.5 hrs in OR turned into 7.5 hrs, and I'm splinted and wired tightly. They cut the nerve on the left side. I have no idea what went on in there but it certainly wasn't expected. My lower lip swelling is finally starting to go down slightly so I hope to be able to swallow more soon. I'm having a hard time with the antibiotics and have quit pain meds because they make me gag. I have follow up next week and I think he said he would loosen the wires but am not sure. Right now, I gotta say if I knew this would happen I wouldn't have done it. That could be the post-op depression talking and should get better in a few days.

[SoCalUniveristyLed]

Hi Redwine,

Hang in there...you'll be feeling better soon. I'm just a week ahead of you and I'll say I can't even recall my first three days post op...

I'd say seven hours for one jaw seems excessive. I had both upper and lower done in 5 hrs I believe. As far as your nerve, well that's sucky. Did they at least try to stitch it back together? Or did they tell you it was severed and that's that? Well, worst case, you can always find someone to stitch the nerve back together later on...

Hang in there, drink lots of fluids, rest and ice. Hold judgement until swelling goes down, or at least your first post op appointment!

[batwing]

Hey all, I'm two months post Le Fort (I don't think we had a December group?) and I wanted to stop in and encourage you all. There IS hope on the other side, I swear. The first couple weeks are rough. I'm now at 90% feeling and only about 5% swelling. I am so happy I went through with the surgery. I stopped reading the site for a while because I got so anxious!

[SoCalUniveristyLed]

Hey all, I'm two months post Le Fort (I don't think we had a December group?) and I wanted to stop in and encourage you all. There IS hope on the other side, I swear. The first couple weeks are rough. I'm now at 90% feeling and only about 5% swelling. I am so happy I went through with the surgery. I stopped reading the site for a while because I got so anxious!

Thanks for the post!! I'm trying to be positive too, just one week out, but every little thing freaks me out lol. Like I had a mini yawn today and I hear a crackle on one of my jaws...I'm wondering if I should alert my surgeon or just let it be. I. Trying to be still as possible so I heal the absolute best possible lol.

When does the hard face feeling start to go away? Also, I'm trying to b good about my caloric intake, but it's soo hard. When does your energy start to normalize?

[samoorelaw]

I'm so depressed that I regret getting this done. My swelling is just awful and I can't breathe through my right nostril and am still getting frequent nose bleeds. I think my bite looks awful and I think he screwed up my nose because if he didn't, I should be able to breathe out of both nostrils. Afrin, saline spray, and humidifier....none of it helps.

[Sheffy]

Hi Samlore

I'm sorry you're feeling so depressed. I had leforte done mid Jan so I'm four weeks post op this week. I think I couldn't breathe out of my nose for the first week because it was so swollen and bunged up but it's absolutely fine now.

Hang in there, the swelling will start to go down soon and you'll start to feel more human again.

[Sheffy]

[quote="Sheffy"]Hi Samlore

Sorry samoorelaw - would help if I got your username right!

[survenant]

@samoorelaw

It took me at least 2 weeks before being able to breathe through my nose. Before my nose clogged up all the time, either with blood at first or mucus. And my left nostril was clogged up more than the right one, but 3 months after, all is well.

And btw, I think your bite is fine. It looks like a normal bite to me.