June/July 2015 Surgery Buddies

[snapdresser]

Jaime - I'm still a little congested, but it varies. I went to the park yesterday morning and when I got back I could barely breathe. Used a wet Qtip and now it's better again You're still eating from a syringe? Why you do that instead of just using a cup or the zip n squeeze? Hahaha you're still reading horror stories?! It's behind you now! Of course, it's probly safer to read them now than before the surgery like we did

[SampMitch]

I officially have a date! July 2nd I'm having the surgical wires and hooks put on and then surgery will be July 29th! Ahhh!

[snapdresser]

Wooooot!!! Good luck, Mitch! Enjoy the rollercoaster

[jaime]

Good luck SampMitch! How are you feeling about it now that you have a firm date in mind?

Snap, I was looking at a jaw surgery FB group and I stumbled upon that girl's story. It's the only horror story I've read so that's not too bad, right?

Also, I think my post-surgery life of elasticless-luxury is coming to an end today. My ortho just called saying he and my surgeon were talking and they want me to come back tonight so the ortho can install more hooks and elastics. Gulp. And here I thought I was going to get away with only 2 elastics!

Also I think I may be addicted to this forum...although I don't have a lot of other people to talk to (hubby is away for work, and my dad and I don't really chat despite living together).

[SampMitch]

Now that its real its kind of freaking me out... And maybe stressing too thinking about paying for it all.. My insurance company doesn't reimburse much so I have that payment to look forward to! ugh!

[snapdresser]

Jaime - Lol, yeah, that's really the only one I read too. That was enough... But of course you gotta keep reading till the end! You gotta see how the story resolves! Btw I mailed the girl and asked if she's on archwired and she's not. That sucks about the elastics. And to think I was all jelly! Lol. Well, welcome to the club! I guess you only have a couple hooks on each side. My archbars have them all the way around and boy did my surgeon use them It's not so bad tho now that the congestion is better. The additional elastics don't matter much. I do have marks inside my lips from the elastics pressing against them all day every day. Looks wacky and it's uncomfortable, but doable.

SampMitch - Ouch! The additional cost has to be pretty rough. What insurance you got? You consider switching insurance companies?

[SampMitch]

No, I honestly don't want to wait any longer to get the surgery. I'm a teacher and can't take off and get paid so I have to do this over the summer. I'm ready to go and want this over with! I have to put an 8k deposit down for the surgery, hope the insurance company reimburses me some money and then do a payment plan to pay for the rest...hopefully pay off the rest with next years tax return!

I have GHI-CBP , i'm a NYC employee (teacher)

[snapdresser]

SampMitch - Heyyyyy I live in Brooklyn! Small world. TBH I have BCBS and they're paying for the whole shebang. I haven't received my final bill but it should be less than $2k. Probly less than $1k. You might wanna consider waiting till next summer. That's a lot of money. But it's your money, not mine!

[SampMitch]

snap...

I'm from Brooklyn! Just recently moved to Long Beach on the island... The surgeon doesn't accept any insurance I'm assuming im not getting much back no matter what my insurance is...Idk! ugh

I used to have bcbs at my old school (private school).

[snapdresser]

SampMitch - Yeah, the first surgeon I went to was that way. Dr. Sachs? That the guy you're going to? Yeah, he only takes out-of-network benefits My out-of-network benefits suck so I found an in-network surgeon so it'll be dirt cheap. Still very pleased with the results! And my surgeon's been very good at hearing my concerns. Heck, she gave me her cell number and we text back and forth regularly, even weekends and evenings!

[SampMitch]

Dr. Schwartz but the same office/practice! Who is your surgeon? I found one in network doctor who was willing to do the surgery but she said she wasn't 100%comfortable doing more than a one piece lefort (I need a 3 piece) and she really highly recommended dr. Schwartz as well

[Nozzelnut]

Welcome to the club SampMitch! What are you having done?

I'm with you Jaime; not too many folks around me understand what I went through and why; so I poke around here. Most give me the and don't understand the whole issue or want to see the big picture.

I actually went for a walk around my block today. It felt pretty good to get out of the house and should help move some swelling around.

[SampMitch]

Hey! I'm having a 3 piece lefort.. Upper only, nothing else

[snapdresser]

SampMitch - My surgeon was Tracey Rosenberg out in Plainview. In network and she's got a DDS and MD, hence why I went to her. She's been excellent, but I got a 1-piece LeFort, BSSO, and genio, so pretty mainstream. All were approved by my insurance based on a write-up from Dr. Sachs. Nice office, nice guy, showed me a prediction of what I'd look like post-op, exuded experience, and wrote that key letter for my insurance, so I can vouch that the guy is money. My surgeon said Sachs does hundreds of orthognathic surgeries a year. I'm sure Dr. Schwartz is the same. Since you're getting the 3-piece, you can't go wrong with those folks. A lot of money out of pocket, unfortunately

[gruntled]

Getting a bit nervous about my bite now. Since that elastic snapped two days after my surgery I've been checking up on how things align just in case. Today I feel as though my jaw has skewed slightly to the side that still has elastics, as if the uneven pressure has pulled it over.

Hoping desperately that I'm imagining it! Got an appointment with ortho tomorrow at midday so we'll find out then.

It's so interesting to know that you guys are from all around the world. I'm so used to frequenting largely UK forums that it's a bit odd, but it's great! I'm sorry that you guys have to pay for your surgery though, that shouldn't be the case if it's a medical necessity