1+ year post op update $6000 surgery

[ElenaM]

Hey, I haven't posted in forever. I had my surgery in late December of 2009. I had an open bite and an asymmetric jaw. I was initially supposed to have both jaws done but the surgeon decided 2 days before the op that he would only operate on my lower jaw. I also had a genioplasty done. Interestingly he said that operating on the upper jaw causes the nose to widen even if you try to prevent it using stitches. Still it's better than the risk for permanent nerve damage that comes from operating on the lower jaw.

I actually though the recovery was much easier than expected. There was very little pain, just a lot of discomfort the first few days. I barely slept the first week. However by the 8th day I felt almost like my old self. The swelling was almost completely down by 2 and a half weeks time and subsided slowly over the next few months. I only had one fine tuning after my surgery but couldn't get my braces off until late April or early May due to school obligations

I'm really happy with the results. Especially with how the genio turned out. I initially wanted my chin shortened but the surgeon recommended he also bring it backward a bit and it turned out excellently. I had my surgery done in Serbia and left back home for the U.S. 3 weeks after my surgery. When I came back to Serbia 7 months later to get my plates taken out the surgeon's assistant didn't even recognize me (this was partly because I had dyed my hair blonde). I actually think having my plates taken out was worse than the actual surgery because I only had local anesthesia injected.

I'm covered by united healthcare and of course got denied coverage. My appeal was rejected twice and I was initially planning on getting my surgery done in Costa Rica but my dad found a surgeon in Serbia who charged much less. I'm Serbian by descent so that was the reason my dad looked into Serbia in the first place. The total cost of my surgery including hospital fees ended up being $6000. I returned to Serbia in the summer and he took out my metal plates for free. So all in all it turned out excellently.

If you guys have any questions or would like to see before and after pictures please feel free to pm me.

Here is a link to my before pictures:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=28781&start=15

[bracedfaced]

Thank you for posting! Your pics look great!

[trossi]

When I came back to Serbia 7 months later to get my plates taken out the surgeon's assistant didn't even recognize me (this was partly because I had dyed my hair blonde). I actually think having my plates taken out was worse than the actual surgery because I only had local anesthesia injected.

I had no idea they even take the plates out? what type of plates did they use? I am having double jaw surgery and genioplasty and my surgeon informed me that the plates will stay in my face permanently.
Glad to hear that it all went well for you

Terra

[ElenaM]

When I came back to Serbia 7 months later to get my plates taken out the surgeon's assistant didn't even recognize me (this was partly because I had dyed my hair blonde). I actually think having my plates taken out was worse than the actual surgery because I only had local anesthesia injected.

I had no idea they even take the plates out? what type of plates did they use? I am having double jaw surgery and genioplasty and my surgeon informed me that the plates will stay in my face permanently.
Glad to hear that it all went well for you

Terra

I have no idea. I too thought the plates stayed there permanently but my surgeon told me I could have them removed 6 months to a year post op.

[LaLi01]

I didn't know you could have the plates removed, either. I'm 3 weeks post-op lower jaw surgery and my surgeon kind of suggested that they wouldn't be removed unless there were some sort of "problem."

I'm actually starting to wonder if I have a mild allergy to titanium or something because I've just noticed a minor rash along both sides of my jaw just over the location of the plates. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks -- I'm new here!
LaLi

[Ronniexo]

$6000 is amazing!!!

My Cost Breakdown:
Surgeon - $7,500
Hospital Outpatient - $ 4,800
Anesthesiologist - $1,760 for 4 hours

So $14,060 not including braces or pain drugs! Unbelievable

[washtdi3]

ElenaM I hope you see this and write back! Who was your surgeon in Serbia? I'm terrified of having this done in a country like that but I was quoted around 3500 for the procedure and that is simply unheard of. Would you recommend going abroad for this procedure? I would need both jaws moved as my receding chin/jaw is so unsightly.

[MrNovember]

I am considering having my plates removed. How bad was the swelling when you had them removed?