Orthognathic Surgery

[shady_jady]

I have recently been told that I need Orthognathic Surgery, a process in which the lower jaw is broken and moved forwards to meet the upper jaw (I have a terrible over-bite). I'm mostly having this done for cosmetic purposes, as it deeply effects my confidence... my profile is hideous. But it can also effect the breathing and cause premature loss of teeth (eek!). I'm 20 in two weeks time and will have to have fixed braces for 18 months, quite embarassing at my age! I was wondering if anyone has had, or knows someone who has had this done, and can give me some advice. I'm mostly worried about the operation as I have never been through one, and am concerned about the post-op pain! Thanks.

[daffy654]

Both my daughters are on waiting lists to have this done,my eldest is 20 and has been waiting almost 5 years as our local hospital has no orthodontic surgeon at the moment. My 18 year old is pregnant so can't have hers done yet either even if there was a surgeon. I have seen the operation on a cosmetic surgery programme and it looked horrific,the poor girl's face afterwards was unrecognisable.The doctor will ensure you are given adequate pain relief after the op so I wouldn't worry about that too much.
I wish you luck with your procedure and hope it all goes ok for you.x

[shady_jady]

Thanks Daffy.
I hear they give you self administered Morhpine, so I guess I'll be high as a kite for the most part. I just don't know what to expect as I have never had an operation. I think the bit I'm most scared about is being given the anaesthetic. And also immeadiately after I wake up.

[daffy654]

The anaesthetic is a breeze,one minute you're awake and they inject you with some milky looking fluid,then next thing you know its all over and you are in the recovery room or back on the ward.You may be a bit disoriented when you first wake up but that soon passes. If you are given the self administered morphine you won't know what day it is never mind anything else.Some people are not tolerant of morphine (it makes them throw up) so they may have to give other drugs to prevent sickness.

[MrXLA]

Hi shady-jady
sorry to correct you daffy but theres no such thing as an orthodontic surgeon
the surgery will be carried out by a maxillofacial surgeon and there is usually a team involved with an orthodontist and sometimes a specialist restorative dentist.
Not too attempt too frighten you too much shady but I think it would be very wrong to suggest that having an osteotomy wont entail considerable post operative pain 'they are breaking your bones and moving them' of course it will hurt.
However you will as daffy has said have adequate post op analgesia.
I assume and obviously I can't see you that there are good clinical reasons for providing this surgery, but the best advice would be to discuss your concerns with a member of the team and try not to be frightened by the procedure itself, equally ensure you are well informed of the short and long term risks.
This results from this surgery can be very good but each individual is different and there are limitations to what can be achieved. It can give a very good boost to your self confidence.

[daffy654]

Sorry MrXLA....I knew it wasn't an orthodontic surgeon but couldn't remember the correct title for the life of me. Its not exactly a term/title used in the everday life of non medical people.lol.

[daffy654]

I just realised why I said Orthodontist before,it's because my eldest daughter has to have some teeth removed 6 months before her surgery and that will be done by an orthodontist,but as I said before our local hospital doesn't have a staff orthodontist at present.