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General Category => General Chat => Topic started by: Tom2 on August 15, 2015, 09:30:48 PM

Title: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on August 15, 2015, 09:30:48 PM
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.

Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on August 16, 2015, 03:36:36 AM
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.......

Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Gregor Samsa on August 16, 2015, 03:40:19 AM
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).
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on August 16, 2015, 02:21:20 PM
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.
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: PloskoPlus on August 16, 2015, 02:26:15 PM
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.
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on August 16, 2015, 02:50:19 PM
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 !

Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: PloskoPlus on August 16, 2015, 04:10:24 PM
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.
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on August 16, 2015, 04:18:55 PM
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!!!
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on August 20, 2015, 06:27:46 AM
For those interested in my before and after pics.



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Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on August 20, 2015, 06:29:09 AM
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.
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: terry947 on August 20, 2015, 08:54:23 AM
Nice Some solid improvement!
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on September 02, 2015, 01:29:51 PM
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.
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: molestrip on September 02, 2015, 02:19:43 PM
You look good!
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on September 02, 2015, 04:51:02 PM
Thanks Mole.     


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

Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: chinnychinchin on September 03, 2015, 02:41:11 AM
Congratulations, that's a huge improvement.
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: overbiter on September 03, 2015, 06:00:09 AM
Hi, I think you said that you got a chin implant. Did you mean genioplasty, or was it actually an implant? What's better about an implant?
Title: Re: 4 1/2 months Post op
Post by: Tom2 on September 03, 2015, 06:46:54 AM
I did have them do an implant.

It was cosmetic to maximize results and since they were already in there playing around the cost was minimal.

What was better?    Probably not much other than it being easier to get done and if I wasn't happy with the results it was easier to change.  There are drawbacks to implants but given my age, those concerns weren't big for me.

I think the implant gave a better cosmetic result than other options I had so there is that.