Do you ever hesitate to ask questions?

[benzorlb]

I know, I know, orthodontic surgery is a MAJOR surgery and you should ask as many questions as possible before starting anything.

However, sometimes I find myself hesitating to ask questions because I don't want to be too much of a 'nudge' if you know what I mean. I don't know why, does this happen to any of you guys? I feel like asking too many questions annoys doctors, and I've already toyed with the relationship between my doctors and I by stupidly breaking too many appointments. I want to keep a good relationship so sometimes I refrain from asking TOO many questions even though I'm legitimately curious about some things.

[trc]

I am the same way. However looking back I wish I had asked everything I was thinking. They are not silly or stupid questions. You have never had this kind of surgery before (I am assuming) and you deserve to know all you can about it and any risks. I wish I would have asked more about what to expect, what he was exactly doing, recovery, swelling, etc. I am 5 weeks post op double jaw and genioplasty surgery and wish I would have asked more questions.

[Minerva]

Yes. I do feel some of them to be annoyed by questions, and those

are the ones I don't see for long.

We're talking about health and not a hair cut.

[Bracer215]

My ortho usually has other people there at the same time so I do sometimes feel like I have to ask my questions fast. I usually write down what I want to ask and the ortho has always answered all my questions. Another way to do it is to call the office and ask the receptionist to have the ortho call you at a time when he does not have patients and has more time to explain things to you. I have done this and it seems to work quite well.

[sarpevictim]

It's not just you! I sometimes feel that way too.

I think what happens is this: our orthodontists, oral surgeons and doctors are all experts who (hopefully) put a lot of effort into coming up with the best treatment plans for us. So often times, when we are asking questions, they either expect us to know the answers, because to them it's trivial knowledge, or they expect us to trust them and feel criticized when we are asking things like, "Why are you doing that?" "How about doing this?"

But remember this: as uncomfortable as it may be, you HAVE to ask questions. This is your permanent face and appearance that you are dealing with. Perhaps your orthodontist or oral surgeon didn't consider something because they didn't think it was a big deal, but to you it is a big deal. It's imperative you share all your concerns. You may annoy them, but it's better to annoy, then to keep quiet, go through surgery, and then regret not saying sonmething sooner.

I had a recent experience like that. I had SARPE to expand my palate. Then they removed the transpalatal wire and it relapsed and I didn't like how my face looked so long and narrow.

If I had not said anything, I would have been confused, frustrated, and unhappy. So I chose to say something. The conversation was uncomfortable, because it pretty much consisted with me saying I don't like his treatment plan, him saying it's okay, and me having to get through to him that it's not okay and that I'm not happy. But you know what? Finally, he listened. Even though he shot down my first suggestion (rexpand palate, expand lower jaw) because he thought it was a bad idea, we are evaluating some other approaches so that I get what I want, we avoid the dangerous route, and he finishes his original treatment plan.

So, basically, my advice to all here is to ASK QUESTIONS. It's pretty much now or never unless you have the time and energy to go through all of this again. I know I don't, and reminding myself of that gives me the courage to speak frankly and boldly about my concerns.