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1. • CommentAuthorDisneyGirlie
   • CommentTimeNov 16th 2009

    
   Hi all, I'm so glad I've found this support site because it seems to contain a ton of useful information and friendly people. I'll introduce myself by sharing my story.
   I got braces for the first time when I was in 6th grade and wore them for approximately 3 years before being told that I either get orthognathic surgery, or nothing could be done to help me and orthodontic treatment would be stopped. Despite having a high pain tolerance, at 14/15 years old I was a relatively young teen and scared to death of this surgery. There was no way I was having it done. So, braces came off and I wore a retainer all of my high school years until the summer before senior year when I made the huge decision to get the surgery. I couldn't just jump into it and get the surgery though, so I got braces back on and have had them on for a little over a year now in preparation for surgery. I have been ready for surgery since March of this year, but due to insurance issues and my oral surgeon turning out to be not as flexible as I'd like, it hasn't happened yet. It's been a long and frustrating road, but I'm finally getting orthognathic surgery on both upper and lower jaws December 15th.
   It seems to me that there have been numerous different experiences. They all sound somewhat scary, but I want the surgery so bad that it's not affecting my excitement for it. However, this isn't to say that I wouldn't love to hear the positive side of things, but honesty is always good. I'd love to hear experiences from people who have had both jaws corrected and tips for recovery. My oral surgeon has reccomended at least 4 weeks for full recovery, but it looks as though I'll really only have 3 weeks to spare, as second semester of my freshman year of college starts 3 weeks after surgery (1 week off of classes may be possible). My surgeon has implied that he doubts I'll have to spend the night in the hospital, which after research, I actually find highly unlikely. Also, obviously Christmas is just 10 days after my surgery date. I know I won't be able to eat anything, but 10 days after surgery does at least some normalness set back in? I'd like to be able to know what i'm doing while I'm giving and getting presents. Thank you for all of your help.
2. • CommentAuthorznthomps
   • CommentTimeNov 17th 2009

    
   I just had my surgery (LeFort I Osteotomy) on my top jaw, last Wednesday. I spent one night in the hospital, and was released early afternoon the next day. To be completely honest, it has gone much more smoothly than I ever imagined. I have note experienced much pain at all. I only took pain medication for two days. I still have some swelling, but it is going down pretty quickly. Now, its just getting a grasp on the no-chew diet... I am taking a week and a half off of work, but honestly I could probably go back sooner. The first couple of days, too much activity made me really tired. But its getting much better. Many blessings on your journey!
3. • CommentAuthorDisneyGirlie
   • CommentTimeNov 17th 2009

    
   Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm glad your recovery is going smoothly.
4. • CommentAuthorjo3900
   • CommentTimeDec 6th 2009 edited

    
   Hi DisneyGirlie,
   
   I haven't been on this site for many months but when I read your story I see that you will be going thru a similar process my 16 yr old daughter went thru a year ago (she was 15 at the time). In fact she got both lower and upper jaw surgery on exactly the same date you are getting your surgery... December 15th!! It has been an incredible journey but all worth it and she doesn't regret it at all. She has no more headaches, no more locked jaw and the teeth grinding at night has also stopped. Her braces are coming off next month. And I must not forget to mention that she was already very beautiful but now she is absolutely stunning!!! This has really helped in boosting her self confidence.
   
   So if I go back in my mind a year ago... the worst symptom was the swelling which was worst on day 3 when the soft tissues of the face and sinuses swelled up big time which made it difficult for her to breathe thru her nose. She was not allowed to blow her nose and her jaw was shut with tight elastic bands. A nasal decongestant spray like Otrivin or Dristan or a simple saline spray can be helpful. Do remember to have a humidifier or two in your bedroom and that you will have to sleep propped up on pillows. Also purchase ahead of time everything you can think of that you will need: a blender, a humidifier,vaseline lip balm, a soft baby toothbrush, liquid gravol, liquid advil, ice packs.... Also tasting different shakes recipes and other liquid meals ahead of time to make sure you have a few options while you are on that liquid diet.
   
   She only missed school for a total of one week because she had the 2 weeks christmas break. So she went back to school 3 weeks after surgery. This can differ from one person to another depending on the recovery process. You should be able to get out and around for christmas celebrations and getting up and about promotes healing so if you feel well rested you should go. But you will have to miss out on all those somptuous meals as you will probably be on liquids.
   
   Hope this helps a bit... and sending you our best wishes!
5. • CommentAuthorDisneyGirlie
   • CommentTimeDec 7th 2009

    
   Thanks so much Jo3900 for sharing your daughter's story. My surgeon actually changed my date to the 14th so it's a week from today! It's so close and I'm very nervous, but still just trying to stay positive. I want the results badly and even though there will be pain, I doubt I'll regret doing it in the end. Your daughter and i do sound very similar. This isn't to sound conceited (I promise!), but other than my open bite, I think I am a very normal looking, pretty girl. Some people with jaw deformities have a really obvious problem and I don't feel like I do. However, my actual smile and teeth right now do take away quite a bit of my self confidence so hopefully the surgery will help all that. Thanks again for the story and best wishes.
6. • CommentAuthorjo3900
   • CommentTimeDec 9th 2009

    
   Keep up that positive attitude!! And keep us posted on your recovery process when you feel up to it. Will send you positive vibes on the 14th :-)
7. • CommentAuthorDisneyGirlie
   • CommentTimeDec 19th 2009

    
   Everything went very smoothly! I haven't looked in the mirror yet, I want the reveal to be when I look semi-normal. I have a splint in my mouth and the bands, so I'm having a ton of difficulty getting any kind of food in. That's the hardest part. But there has been very minnimal pain. I'm already glad I did it because I know whatever the result looks like will be worth like no pain and eh, no food for a few weeks.
8. • CommentAuthorpushead
   • CommentTimeDec 21st 2009 edited

    
   Ask your docotor if you can take the bands out to eat. My doctor let me. However I was not banded until about a week after my surgery and I had both jaws done and my pallet split. The doctor would not let me where the bands until I could proove I could keep my mouth clean. I hated that thing from day one until the day it came off which was around 7 weeks. That thing is a massive food holder and you dont want bacteria building up from it in your mouth. I got reemed from my doctor for not cleaning it well enough especially under my lips and inbetween my cheeks. He wanted me to grab my lips and lift them out to clean under them. You will be amazed how much food gets stuck between them. But in my defence he never told me to lift my lips until after he yelled at me. Plus I would have never thought about it becuase it hurt to much and combined with the mass swelling I didnt think they would move that much. But when he walked in and fish hooked my cheek and pulled it was disgusting.
9. • CommentAuthorDisneyGirlie
   • CommentTimeJan 5th 2010

    
   Thanks, but your situation sounds way better than mine! My surgeon is so strict on everything. He never taught me how to do my bands because he didn't want me to take them out, even if only to eat and clean. I just went back for my 3rd week post op appointment and he was going to teach me how to do the bands in case I needed to take them out, but then he said "Nevermind, I think it'd be best if you don't mess with the bands at all until 4 weeks and after." He is also dead serious about my splint. I was hoping to get it out on week 3 because now I have gone back to college and I can't talk with the splint in. It's hard to fend for myself without talking so I begged him to take t out the 3rd week before I went back to school and he refused saying 4 week minnimum. So now I have to miss a day of classes next week to go and get it off. Strangely enough, my surgeon hasn't cared at all about the cleanliness of my mouth. 1 week after surgery when I went in for my first post-op appointment I was expecting him to take off my bands and let me clean up. No such luck. It was the second week before he took off my bands and let me brush in the office. Although I know the splint comes off next week, who knows when I can stop wearing the bands? He made it sound like I have a long time coming. Ugh this sugery sucks.