Ben: Upper Jaw Surgery, the Journey. *UPDATED*

[sicnor553]

Greetings,

Ben here.

It's been almost a year now since I posted this, and there have been some updates.

Some of you may know me, some may not. At last posting, I had 3 videos up.

There are now 6.

Just posting this update so I can get myself out there and hopefully help those who need it.

My journey is recorded in 6 videos (5+1 supplemental vid), with a 7th video on it's way (when I get around to it )

Here they are, in order:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJFlgn96DOo --- Day before
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3CJQjQb7Mk --- 7 days after
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jepWboTPup4 --- 2 months after
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6repiNaqJTc --- Supplemental video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-35b2YEGsy8 --- Braces off!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BukRWbRjj5k --- Gum graft information

Here is the link to the playlist, if you would like to just watch every video in sequence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJFlgn96 ... playnext=1

So here you have it!

www.youtube.com/sicnor553

^^^^ That should be the easiest way to see all of my videos.

I am also on Facebook all the time, so if you want to chat live with me, that's cool too. The name is "Benjiman Deyo" spelled just like that. I think Facebook is a great way to personally get to know people just like you who have had Jaw issues, and are thinking about, getting, or have had jaw surgery.

I've spoken with people all over the world and continue to get e-mails from a wide range of people asking their burning questions about surgery... How to survive it.. etc.

There are also rumblings of me compiling every e-mail question and response I have ever gotten/received and writing a short book about surviving jaw surgery. This is true. But again, I'm not paid to do this (and I don't want to be) but that means it will come out when I'm ready!

Hope that by bumping/editing this, I am able to help others/meet new people.

Feel free to message me through e-mail, facebook, or AIM!

email: sicnor553@gmail.com
facebook: Benjiman Deyo
AIM: vanguardxx2

-Ben

here are some pictures!


Sometime before:


1 week after (IIRC)
[/img]

[simplywired]

Wow - you look terrific Thank you so much for posting - the videos were so interesting. You're an inspiration to anyone who is considering this surgery.

[sicnor553]

Thank you for your kind words! I am just hoping that I can get my videos out to people before they give up on the idea that it will improve their life!

[chillin-in-grilz]

Amazing!!!!! Got any pics of before and after?

[Brandyleigh35]

I found your videos on my own, on youtube prior to my surgery. Plus a few others ones. I haven't done any video's but have blogged my journey very extensively from the very beginning through my current (almost 5 months) post op. I plan to include a video on my blog at 6 months post op.

I'm sure these will be helpful to others wondering what to expect. I did a ton of research on these surgeries beforehand so I knew exactly what i was in for. I also met a bunch of people through this site and a few others that were also having this surgery. I have linked to their blogs on my blog as well. It was very helpful, and really helped ease my stress knowing what to expect. Thanks for posting them here.

Brandy

[sicnor553]

Amazing!!!!! Got any pics of before and after?

Uploaded some pics for you!

[chillin-in-grilz]

Thanks!!!

[dubnobass]

The Yahoo groups are all well and good, but not a terribly user-friendly presentation.

Bit of a throwback to the 'good old days' of dial-up and newgroups, I think. Personally I always found the attitudes on the Yahoo group to be very self-pitying, so I've never had the energy to wade through all the pessimism to find any useful information.

Sicnor, I am jealous of your speaking abilities at 2 months! I still sound not right, myself

[NCRN]

Just watched your videos. Such a difference. You look GREAT!
How long did you have to wear your splint? My OS said I will have one for 6 weeks. Did you have trouble talking the whole time?

[Rach]

wow thats great, thanks for posting! Can't believe the difference in your jaw, bet you are very happy with that fab result!
And unlike others i havn't yet sought the intiative to look on youtube!

Rach

[sicnor553]

Just watched your videos. Such a difference. You look GREAT!
How long did you have to wear your splint? My OS said I will have one for 6 weeks. Did you have trouble talking the whole time?

6 weeks is the standard time for your bones to fuse back together enough to safely remove the splint. I had to wear mine for 6 weeks. Talking is difficult during that time, yes. The most important factor is to just keep it as clean as possible. Rinse with salt water after every meal/snack/drink. Hang in there!

The Yahoo groups are all well and good, but not a terribly user-friendly presentation.

Bit of a throwback to the 'good old days' of dial-up and newgroups, I think. Personally I always found the attitudes on the Yahoo group to be very self-pitying, so I've never had the energy to wade through all the pessimism to find any useful information.

Sicnor, I am jealous of your speaking abilities at 2 months! I still sound not right, myself

I sounded a lot different before my sugery. Just compare video 1 and 2. It's just the way sound comes through your mouth. I'm actually happy with the way I sound now. It was a part of the reason I had the surgery as well -- talking was difficult, it took a lot of effort, and sounded bad anyways. I plan on being a teacher/doctor some day, so it's imperative that I sound clear.

wow thats great, thanks for posting! Can't believe the difference in your jaw, bet you are very happy with that fab result!
And unlike others i havn't yet sought the intiative to look on youtube!

Rach

There are a few videos on YouTube. Most of them are slideshows of pictures. I took a different approach than they did and talked directly to the camera (both YouTube's style, and a way for people to see how it affects you in real-time). It was an instant hit and I've gotten messages and emails from around the globe, some in languages I can't understand, asking all of your basic surgery questions. It's suprising that most people are afraid if there is any pain at all -- I always give a resounding "No!" Painkillers and general numbing of your face keep pain away virtually at all times.

If you have the time (2 months of slow-going recovery) and money (insurance may cover it if it's a preexisting condition, if you prove it's NOT for cosmetic improvement but functionality improvement), then you would be stupid to not get the surgery!

[chillin-in-grilz]

tHEY said for me that if my bite is not corrected with elastics then jaw surgery is recconmended, but dont have to, but i think i will anyways cuz i am so unhappy with my profile, i have a receeding chin. i hope elastics will correct it.

but have no idea when im getting elastics, i am 8 months in, got 10 months left.

[asd]

Wow thats amazing! One of the best before and afters i have ever seen! You must be so pleased!

[chillin-in-grilz]

what are elastics for then?

[chillin-in-grilz]

so more then likely i would need surgery