To UK residents who had jaw surgery abroad

[sooq]

A question for those who went international for their jaw surgery - how did you overcome the orthodontics issue, in terms of the fact that a lot of surgeons seem to like to work with orthos who are known to them and at the very least in the same country?!
I have been so focussed on finding the best surgeon for my issues that I kind of didn't bother to consider that part of things. I found an Australian surgeon who could totally sort out my problems but he was like "you would have to come and live here for around a year so we could do the orthodontics", which I took to mean he wouldn't work with a UK ortho. Is this going to be the same for all the non-UK surgeons do you reckon??

[PloskoPlus]

A question for those who went international for their jaw surgery - how did you overcome the orthodontics issue, in terms of the fact that a lot of surgeons seem to like to work with orthos who are known to them and at the very least in the same country?!
I have been so focussed on finding the best surgeon for my issues that I kind of didn't bother to consider that part of things. I found an Australian surgeon who could totally sort out my problems but he was like "you would have to come and live here for around a year so we could do the orthodontics", which I took to mean he wouldn't work with a UK ortho. Is this going to be the same for all the non-UK surgeons do you reckon??

Who's the surgeon?

[molestrip]

I know what you mean. I picked a surgeon and then discovered orthodontists wouldn't work with me anymore. I don't think surgeons are too picky, they're used to working with new guys and you're paying them a whole lot of money! Orthodontists are the picky ones.

[Langpam]

I am from the UK and spend half the year in London and the other half in Malaga. I chose an amazing surgeon in Barcelona, who, due to his international connections, was able to recommend an orthodontist in both London and Malaga. I opted for an orthodontist in Malaga, as I'm spending most of my time here at the moment. So, after having the Surgery First option in November, which went extremely well, I'm now using Invisalign with a great guy in Malaga.
The best surgeons have many contacts.

[sooq]

ploskoplus - I haven't decided on a surgeon yet. Only seen UK surgeons, but expect to go abroad, and was panicking that like the australian maxfax I spoke to, they would not treat me unless I could use an ortho local to them, which would of course be impractical. On my list are mainly non-uk, European surgeons like Pelo, Zarrinbal etc so no idea what they will say about orthodontist choices. I am going to see Arnett for the value of the opinion and having a very detailed assessment, but couldn't actually afford him unless I sold my house/soul I suspect he would want to use his own ortho of choice anyway, but who knows.

molestrip - interesting, thanks for giving me the heads up! I never thought the ortho might be the fussy one, but I guess I'll have to try and tackle that hurdle once I find a surgeon.

Langpam - that's reassuring to think whatever surgeon I settle on might be able to point me in the direction of an ortho here. fingers crossed! Just out of interest, which surgeon did you use in Barcelona? I am still researching surgeons so I might have a look at them 

[sean89]

This is the biggest problem imo.

You go abroad because the surgeons may be more knowledgeable about cutting edge max-fac techniques, but when you come home to find an orthodontist in England (for example), they don't want to work with maxfac because they're not familiar with the surgical techniques that they use. Orthodontists just want an easy case.

I must have consulted with about 15 different orthodontists, none are prepared to treat me in the way that's best for my health, by working with a foreign maxfac.

Langpam - do you know the name of the London ortho that Dr Alfaro works with?

 

 

[Rico]

look at this - another organisation, another names... ?? https://www.sorg-group.de/index.php?id=25989

[sooq]

holy crap, I am seriously dreading the point where I am looking for an orthodontist now! I thought finding a surgeon was hard enough! I guess worst case scenario if I found a surgeon in Italy/Spain/Germany and couldn't find a UK orthodontist to work with them I would factor in the extra cost of flying over to the other country for all the orthodontic appointments. Not ideal, but just trying to think laterally, and no orthodontist - in fact no person full stop is going to stop me getting my jaw surgery done 

sean - how have you found the UK orthodontists that you have consulted with so far? Because I have crossed that bridge yet I wouldn't even know where to start, other than getting the contact names off surgeons like Piet Haas/Thuau etc. But I fully expect the same outcome as you - lots of reluctance to get involved! It must be so frustrating. Have you looked into the practicalities and costs of using Alfaro's usual orthodontist in Spain? Easyjet flights can be cheapish, though I guess getting a day off work whenever an appointment would be needed is tricky - unless the Spanish orthodontists work on Saturdays!

For those who have had their jaw surgery already would you say around 2 years is the time that the average jaw surgery patient has their braces on for? How many appointments for adjustments etc would you estimate the average patient might need in this time? I know it will vary, but it would help to be able to project some costs etc in case I had to have an orthodontist in Europe instead of in the UK.

[sean89]

holy crap, I am seriously dreading the point where I am looking for an orthodontist now! I thought finding a surgeon was hard enough! I guess worst case scenario if I found a surgeon in Italy/Spain/Germany and couldn't find a UK orthodontist to work with them I would factor in the extra cost of flying over to the other country for all the orthodontic appointments. Not ideal, but just trying to think laterally, and no orthodontist - in fact no person full stop is going to stop me getting my jaw surgery done 

sean - how have you found the UK orthodontists that you have consulted with so far? Because I have crossed that bridge yet I wouldn't even know where to start, other than getting the contact names off surgeons like Piet Haas/Thuau etc. But I fully expect the same outcome as you - lots of reluctance to get involved! It must be so frustrating. Have you looked into the practicalities and costs of using Alfaro's usual orthodontist in Spain? Easyjet flights can be cheapish, though I guess getting a day off work whenever an appointment would be needed is tricky - unless the Spanish orthodontists work on Saturdays!

For those who have had their jaw surgery already would you say around 2 years is the time that the average jaw surgery patient has their braces on for? How many appointments for adjustments etc would you estimate the average patient might need in this time? I know it will vary, but it would help to be able to project some costs etc in case I had to have an orthodontist in Europe instead of in the UK.

I found most using whatclinic.com, I found some using google and I found some by reading studies on pubmed, cochrane institute, orthodontic blogs etc.

It might seem obvious but make sure they are an orthodontic specialist and not just a cosmetic dentist.

[Langpam]

I'm sure the maxillofacial institute in Barcelona ( Dr Hernández Alfaro) would tell you the name of a UK orthodontist he could work with. They asked me where I wanted to have my treatment and I opted for Malaga ( so, consequently I didn't need to know the name of the UK one). As it happens I often combine a trip to Barcelona ( from Malaga) for check ups with a trip back to London from Barcelona, the latter usually costs about 29 euros!! I believe you need to have an orthodontist near where you live.
As I have Invisalign my check ups can fit in with my travels. For example in ten days I'm off to Peru for a month so my orthodontist works to my schedule.

[Rico]

Langpam, how is your recovery ? it's about 3 months post op. so good time to determine the possible outcome when it comes to nerve regeneration

PS.  to all. Remeber if a surgeon has done very good job on specific patient /user from here , you do not have guarantee that so super outcome will be in your case. High probality it will, but not guaranted

[Langpam]

Actually I'm almost five months post op. Jaw surgery recovery going extremely well. Complete feeling restored in chin, lower lip almost there!! Fantastic comments from everyone I bump into, many think I'm the other person's much younger sister!!! They recognise the upper face ( eyes) but the new profile, jaw and chin take years off me. I'm also still five kilos lighter and have never felt better ( now that my sleep apnoea is cured)
Rico, clearly every case is different, as we all know.

[terry947]

Ya langpam, you are a perfect example of CCW done right! your before and afters are amazing. Glad you're healing nicely, Im tempted to get a consultation with Dr. Alfaro just to see what he says, maybe fly there and get it done, If no one here can do it.

[Rico]

Langam what about miniplates removing ?  many people feel them in many ways

BTW you have mini or microplates?

[Langpam]

I have three mini plates but I only know this because Dr Alfaro told me! I have never felt them!
The only thing that bothers me occasionally right now are the buttons and elastics for the orthodontic treatment, but they're only temporary.

Terry 947
Thank you for your comments. I am certainly delighted with the results