Revised folks - talk me down

[Chuckaluck]

6 week follow up from Lefort 1 2-piece and bsso. Looks like one side “popped loose” from the screws and has been floating for some time - this has caused a “collapse” of both the top and bottom right side (left looks great!). They are going to try banding me shut to see if it will help but the surgeon says it’s a long shot and revision is likely.

Has this worked for anyone else this late in the recovery?

Revision folks- we are looking at a September 2018 surgery date if needed. Any recommendations on making this better or at least not worse than the first one?

Thank you.

[Chuckaluck]

Just an update - got a call today. They have me scheduled for the failed screws to be removed tomorrow and plates to be added in order to reattach my lower right jaw. The Ortho is going to add an expander in the next few weeks for the collapse on the upper. It’s been moving well so far with just the cross bite bands so I’m hopeful. I am thankful that my surgeon and ortho work so well together and have really hit this bump in the road as a team effort.

Both excited to be done and very nervous but at least this time I know what to expect. Any tips from anyone? Anybody only had one side done before?

Thanks!

[Chuckaluck]

Went through with the surgery on Friday. There was extensive cleaning of the bone required to remove the fibrous unions but overall it’s been MUCH smoother. My lower right was the only side worked on - it swole up like crazy but came down fast. My biggest complaint is they banded me completely shut. Which absolutely sucks. The bands I my upper arch were working better than they anticipated but if the ortho doesn’t agree they will be installing an expander. Fingers crossed on bands!

[kplatt2010]

Hi Chuckaluck-
Hoping you have a speedy recovery. Sorry to hear you got banded but I think whatever it takes to get your jaw right.
Karla

[Chuckaluck]

I’m updating this because it’s been so hard for me to get information on this type of procedure.
Went in for a check up today - everything looks fantastic but I’m banded shut for another 3 weeks. Ugh.
Oral surgeon was thrilled with the incision being in great shape, level of hygiene and my mad banding skills (it’s like an origami level banding). He did let me know my midline is highly unlikely to ever be centered - but the upper arch collapse should be correctable through orthodontics.

I have been to see my ortho too. He is such a sport. The initial plan was to install an arch expander but he’s nearly positive he can do it with an arch wire and bands. In a hilarious moment he sat in front of me with his phone, texting my oral surgeon and mentioned how happy he is with the way my situation has allowed him to be texting buddies with my surgeon - both me and the assistant just looked at him with WTF expressions. It was actually very cute how excited he was about a new friend.

[kplatt2010]

Hi Chuckaluck,
It sucks to be banded shut that long but you don't want the hardware to come loose again. Stay strong; you can do it.
Karla

[Chuckaluck]

4 week check in - revision is doing great, surgeon is tickled with the incision and thinks the revision took. He’s keeping me banded for two more weeks to play it safe. I cried after I left the clinic.

Life pro tip- don’t travel when you are banded shut and if you do prepare, prepare, prepare! I didn’t eat for three days because I figured I would be able to find something there. Fruit smoothies and chocolate milk for an extended period has disastrous effects

And Karla - thank you for all your supportive comments - they help!

[Speck]

Fruit smoothies and chocolate milk for an extended period has disastrous effects

You sound like a trooper and best wishes on making it to the finish with the desired outcome!

[kplatt2010]

Hi Chuckaluck-
Glad to hear things are going smoothly.
BTW; when I was in the milkshake phase; I stocked up on Boost Plus Chocolate and then added frozen fruit and Vega Chocolate Protein to up the calories. I bought a couple of Nutrabullets one for home and one for work. Worked like a charm. The nice thing about Boost /Ensure is you don't have to refrigerate it until you open one and so it makes travel easier. I sucked down using a refillable ketchup bottle. I read someone's blog who strongly recommended then for getting the food. Thank God because I was a hot mess with the syringe thing and needed my foodie.

Now that I'm back on solid food, I still make fruity protein milkshakes but with the Boost Carb Control chocolate version. They really do hold you for a while. Fast snacks were the Happy Tots fiber & protein (pear, raspberry, carrot, squash combo) as an easy snack and good for traveling. I actually became a connoisseur of baby food after the surgery LOL!! Gerber and Plum suck big time!!

Karla

[Chuckaluck]

Free! Free at last after 6 weeks the tight bands are off, there are just two light bands to help guide my bite. Speaking of bite, it’s terrible, but the surgeon says the ortho will get it back in line. My second surgery is healing nicely and as long as I take it easy as I ease back into chewing the healing process should progress as expected. There is a bump in my jaw line - it may or may not resolve itself. We are going to discuss again at 6 months and he may need to go back in to remove the hardware or shave down calluses that may have formed on the bone - we will see. Today, I am just thrilled to eat food - I don’t think I will eat soup again for at least a year. I had an egg with potatoes, I had to take the tiniest bites and couldn’t really chew but it was wonderful!
Next week I head to the orthodontist- he plans to install his largest band on the top to correct the area that has collapsed and should start adjusting my bite.

The best news is I should get released for hockey in the next 4-6 weeks - that will make everything better!

[Sarah96]

It's nice to hear that you are healing nicely. 6 weeks of tight bands is a long time. I hope everything will be better from now on!
Btw I'm 22 days post op from my revision surgery.

[Chuckaluck]

Btw I'm 22 days post op from my revision surgery.

Thanks! Why did you have to have yours revised? How has your recovery been? I will say the second time has physically been much easier for me, except the banding, but far more anxiety producing!

[Sarah96]

Btw I'm 22 days post op from my revision surgery.

Thanks! Why did you have to have yours revised? How has your recovery been? I will say the second time has physically been much easier for me, except the banding, but far more anxiety producing!

My first surgery was a disaster. My bite was off, my jaws were slanted. Also there were holes between my bones so whenever I drink something, water would come through my nose. It looks like my problems are fixed, for now.
My second surgery is also easier for me to heal. It's like my body learnt how to cope with everything.
Your banding period was really long. I wonder how you survived! I was banded shut for 2 weeks and it made me sick enough!
It will be okay from now on, I hope. I wish you the best of recovery!

[Chuckaluck]

10 week follow up on revision to my lower right today (17 weeks out from the original double jaw surgery). I was no longer banded shut at 6 weeks so real food has been a great treat!
Everything looks great. Bone is growing in, just slowly. I’ve got 90-95% sensation in my lip and my gums are starting to tingle.

My plate it poking out a bit so you can see it through my lower jaw line (my husband calls it my “man jaw” side) - that will need to be removed in about 6 months assuming all goes as planned. The way the bone is growing in might require contouring at that time but we will cross that bridge when we get there. We will follow up in three months to check how it is going.

Orthodontics are going great. They have been able to almost fully correct the upper arch collapse without an expander and it’s still moving. I talked to my ortho and it looks like this will add about 6 months to my ortho treatment plan and I’m ok with that.

My greatest bummer was it looks like my hockey season is a no go this year. I see cross country skiing in my future - now just to get some snow!