4 1/2 months Post op

[Tom2]

Hi All,

I figured I would stop in and give an update.

First - if you're interested...I showed up in this forum just hours before my surgery.... http://jawsurgeryforums.com/index.php/topic,4388.0.html

I'm 4.5 months post op.

I'm about a month away from my braces being removed.

I have been through pain I am still working on forgetting.

There are times I wish I never had the surgery and times I wish I had it 20 years ago....(i'm mid 40's).

I can't feel my two front upper teeth and parts of my upper palette.   

My lower lip and chin area work and I can feel them but not like before....its off a bit.

My side profile is really different....better.

I don't stress about pictures and trying to jut out my chin so I don;t look stupid.

I might have a nice smile when this is done.

BTW,    I have segmental Lefort 1 and BSSO with chin implant.

It feels funny(in a good way) to kiss a girl and feel my chin contact hers.

My motorcycle chin strap fits wayyyy better and I can wear a half helmet which I would never do before.

Yes - I had all this work done and I drive a motorcycle.   

I might go back to the gym and make my appearance even more attractive.

I've been super depressed at times over this surgery and going through the recovery and my feelings about even having to have it.

I've gained back some of the weight I lost.

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the posts and messages supporting me during this.

Thank you.

If anyone has questions, I'm more than willing to try to answer them.

[Tom2]

Hi 27F.

I've found and read more about the depression side effects after the surgery...after the surgery.    It caught me off guard when it was hitting me.   I hadn't expected that so for anyone else having this surgery......be ready for a wide range of emotions and worry as you recover.

Also, other than my overbite.....I've always been healthy and active so being down physically and not being able to eat really impacted me.

I had this done in Boston.    There are a couple of places there that pump out these surgeries quite successfully from what I gather.

One of my more enjoyable moments in this was when I was about 8 weeks post op going in for a check up with the surgeon.   In waked a young lady with her parents.  From her bandages I knew she had the same surgery as I did.     I told them what I had done and where I was at after 8 weeks.....she was 1 week.    I was able to show how improvement does happen and give tips on getting enough calories into her.    It was nice to be able to help and give hope.

This is a tough surgery and as we may have all read here and there from some experiences - risky   I feel awful for those struggling with bad results and/or loss of movement function.

I think my chin and teeth/palette issues may never go back to normal.    I could live it with if I had to.   My biggest issue is some lip incompetence at rest.   It really bothers me.   

Well, time to get out of bed and go face the world......   1 month until the braces come off.......

[Gregor Samsa]

I can't feel my two front upper teeth and parts of my upper palette.

I had that same problem but the feeling came back with time (it took over a year).

[Tom2]

Gregor....I heard that from a doc but thought it might be BS so thanks for that info...  There's hope!

27F.    You're so nice and encouraging.   Thanks!      Next time we hang out, the beer is on me.

[PloskoPlus]

Gregor....I heard that from a doc but thought it might be BS so thanks for that info...  There's hope!

27F.    You're so nice and encouraging.   Thanks!      Next time we hang out, the beer is on me.

I'm 10 months post op and have paraesthesia in my upper lip and teeth.
It can take as long as 18 months to resolve.

[Tom2]

PP sorry to hear.

The teeth thing is manageable but the lip part must be driving you nuts......I'm hoping it sorts itself out in time  - we get our hopes up for these surgeries and the recoveries can be a B !

[PloskoPlus]

PP sorry to hear.

The teeth thing is manageable but the lip part must be driving you nuts......I'm hoping it sorts itself out in time  - we get our hopes up for these surgeries and the recoveries can be a B !

Tell me about it.  I just bought a bunch of vitamins, amino acids.  They'll probably do nothing but make my kidneys work harder.

[Tom2]

I've heard certain vitamins can help when I was reading about my own problems.     Doctor told me it was not scientific and that it would just take time.

Careful - don't mess up those kidneys!!!

[Tom2]

For those interested in my before and after pics.



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[Tom2]

That after was about a month post op - still swollen a little bit.

Maybe after the braces come off I'll show off the smile too.

[terry947]

Nice Some solid improvement!

[Tom2]

Thanks.

I'm still pleasantly surprised at how my nose fits my face so much better now.     

The puffiness has gone done as well since that after photo.

[molestrip]

You look good!

[Tom2]

Thanks Mole.     


It was like a reverse face lift for me being the old man I am!  Ha.

[chinnychinchin]

Congratulations, that's a huge improvement.