double jaw surgery ruined my face?

[jawregret1]

Honestly, three months at minimum before you should evaluate anything, but six months is better.

[devastated]

Honestly, three months at minimum before you should evaluate anything, but six months is better.

I have an update I saw my surgeon yoday. He admitted although we did downgrafted and moved forward - the result is not good (upper lip too long + nit enough jaw projection to support the lip. That is why he injected me with fat during surgery which has dissolved on one side and took in on the other he also admitted the chin is crooked and most likely to be redone. Nose and cheek - he did a cut today and stitched ma again (nose) ;( together with lip liposuction. Im totally swallen and terrified now. One of the main reasons i wanted this surgery was to have a nice smile proper jaw to support my beautiful lips. Now - all this pain preparation money for nothing (this was not achieved) + the whole list of problems which i didnt even dream in worst nightmear (chin cheek lip nose asymetry) and destroyed lips as fat is impossible to reverse. Can anyone relate and share some wisdom? I have lost my face. I feeel Ive lost my life.

[snapdresser]

Whaaaaaaat......... Who is this surgeon, if you don't mind my asking? Also if you don't mind my asking, are you paying out of pocket for all of this?!

[devastated]

Whaaaaaaat......... Who is this surgeon, if you don't mind my asking? Also if you don't mind my asking, are you paying out of pocket for all of this?!

For surgery I paid out of my pocket, for all thats being done now - no charge so far. He is the best surgeon in my country. The most complicated cases are always done by him. He operates on small kids reconstructing entire faces. He Suggested he was treating me different as I was originally a very good looking person so he was afraid he will not meet my expectations. He mentioned the other day - 'when I operate twice a day lile i always do all goes great, with you I was trying too hard and all went wrong' (something to that efect not exact words..) I actually pray that he is soo scared himself right now having the case for the 1st time when things went wrong and on a patient who did not necesarily NEEDED the surgery - is making mistakes instead of asking me to wait and evaluating results. Dont know myself maybe Im just comforting myself. Im on anti depresants at the moment so my mental state is much better. Thank you for keeping an eye on this thread.

[snapdresser]

What country are you in?

It's really unusual that a surgeon recommends follow-up procedures to treat issues with the soft tissues so quickly. Those people on here that were rushed back in for a revision were always because the bone was in the wrong place. For any soft tissue issues they pretty much always recommend waiting for several months before considering other surgeries. You seem to be the one exception where he's loading you up with stuff before your swelling's gone. That seems like a red flag to me. Have you considered getting a second opinion?

[devastated]

What country are you in?

It's really unusual that a surgeon recommends follow-up procedures to treat issues with the soft tissues so quickly. Those people on here that were rushed back in for a revision were always because the bone was in the wrong place. For any soft tissue issues they pretty much always recommend waiting for several months before considering other surgeries. You seem to be the one exception where he's loading you up with stuff before your swelling's gone. That seems like a red flag to me. Have you considered getting a second opinion?

Thank you that is very informative I wasnt aware..
I think he knows for some reason that uneven lips are not the swelling any more - the nose - he said he couldnt stitch perfectly as this one is where the tube was (left nostril) I have considered 2nd opinion Im just sooo discouraged at the moment and actually do nit trust any doctors to be honest.. I will however ask my orthodontist to recommend someone.. it might be a good idea.. thank you

[jawregret1]

Any updates? I'm so sorry you're going through this though.

[devastated]

not optimistic. Its 2 months post op. I don't look good. And my upper left lip is not moving (possibly nerve injury). Is there anyone here who didn't like the way they looked 2 months post op and miraculously did appreciate it I don't know.. 6 months post? Im so depressed..

[scarface19]

devastated your appearance will settle down up till 1 year. I am 7 years post op and I am happy with the result. But things don't go 100% smooth. For example my nose cartridge was moved to the left and it affected by breathing through my nose. This was fixed 2 years post op by fixing my nose cartridge.

Also since my upper jaw is now closer to my sinus I have an irritation when I swallow water from my left nostril, or when I have a cold. This settles down once it drains out.

I have a tooth that I do not feel anymore. I do not know if this is because of the surgery or if it was like that before. Also I have some extra sensitivity on the rooftop behind my front tooth .

Nothing I cannot live with .. ... but my point is that we all pass through some kind of complication so try to see things in a lighter view. I don't know who you are but feel free to message me if you need to talk and do not allow your mind to inflate your issues. The more you think about it the bigger the problem seems. I live in a country where there is only doctor who does this ... so consider yourself lucky that you can take second opinions.

[devastated]

Thank you. I was trying to stay positive. I even managed to convinced myself I look good. Up until I went out to meet my friends. Its truly devastating to see the look on their faces.. made me go back home and crawl under the covers again. This sirgery was the biggest mistake of my life. Well not tje surgery but tje surgeon and not trustung my instincts but going with doctors plan. I cannot stress this enough. To everyone out there - its you whos supposed to be happy w new look - not your surgeon.

[scarface19]

I had some strange looks on people's faces as well so early after surgery ... do not let it cloud your judgement. Come on cheer up!! Will keep you in my prayers whoever you are I know this might be a hard time emotionally for you.

[devastated]

Thank you! Thats so sweet of you. Its 3 months now (nearly) and every week I look worse. Lip and cheeks dropped have no support no teeth show and this is why i was initially doing the surgery. I looked better after camouflage (in terms of lips and all) Dont know what to do I need ab 3 mm more (advance) and 2 mm downgraft + genio revision. Im scared and depresses, gone threw 10 years journey to be dissatisfied (not to mention finances, physical and emotional costs) I will speak w my surgeon in 2 wks..

[Braceurselvez]

I'm 10 weeks post-op and every week, my face changes. I've spoken to my doctor about asymmetry and swelling as well and just as everyone has posted above, it's just a matter of patience.

Also, keep in mind that double jaw surgery is not a light procedure. you've had pieces of your skeleton cut out and screwed back together and essentially repositioned certain parts of your face. There's no way you'd look exactly the same afterwards, and especially not so soon. It takes at least 3 months for your bones to even fuse back together properly and about a year for everything to really settle.

The good news is that our bodies are designed to heal themselves and go back to their natural state. So over time, your body will be working hard to put things back as they were. In many cases, the swelling amplifies asymmetries that were already present but maybe just not as noticeable.

My nose has gotten smaller and smaller, and the swelling is leaving slowly. It takes a while. I think we've all had these thoughts & fears, so you're not alone.

Just give it some time and don't judge yourself so harshly.

[luneartes]

[quote="devastated"][quote="snapdresser"]Well, how much of the asymmetries seem to be in the soft tissues, and how much seem to actually be in the bones? Uneven swelling in the soft tissues is completely normal.[/quote]

I have no clue. My doctor seem to not know either here's 2 photos before and 2 photos after (link) (Crooked nose one nostril bigger cheek fold higher on on side than the other)
I also have nerve injury (lower lip) but doctor says its getting better and he hasnt cut the nerve so I hope for full recovery. Still.. I was not prepared for so many problems and issues.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a39fexkjvglo ... vrERa?dl=0[/quote]

I wish I looked as good as you did three weeks post op!!!! I could barely open my mouth! Honestly there's still a long way to go, maybe try and hold off with any extra surgical procedures until it's been about 6 months and you have a bit better feel for what your face is actually going to be like I'm so much more swollen on one side, it's totally common as they're different nerves on either side and they heal at their own rate. I was really flippant about how intense the surgery actually is until I watched a youtube video that shows what they actually do to your mouth when you undergo jaw surgery (it's NOTHING like they describe to you or give you in your information pamphlet!!!!!!!), its a seriously major trauma to your face and will take a long time to heal! We really do grieve for our faces but if these photos are anything to go by, you have absolutely nothing to worry about! It will just take some time to get used to your new face

[supersadrn]

Same thing happened to me, I'm in my mid 20's now 2 years out of surgery. I have those exact problems and more lol, you can read about my results here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 15&t=51844

"My from teeth don't show, my upper lip got longer but narrower, I have bigger nose but worse - it is crooked my nostrils are different size and one is higher than another. also when I smile one cheek is much higher than another, I look like a monster"

Get plans to fix your face RIGHT NOW, don't fall for the "wait until the swelling goes down 6 months later". This is how your face will sit AFTER swelling goes down, I look like this 2 years later, same problems. My mom became hysterical for a couple months because of how ugly I became after surgery compared to before. Get a revision ASAP, I'm not kidding girl, if you wait the results WILL NOT CHANGE OR GET BETTER.