Im back and still its not over!

[loulou123]

Hello all, i used to be a regular on these boards, but after a distarous few months after surgery last year have been keeping a very low profile, as didnt want any reminders!

Im now 18months after BSSO and still having problems. In a nutshell after surgery the left side never settled down and i needed further surgery 1 weeks after the 1st to remove the plate.

After that everything went well for abit, had braces removed, eveyone happy. Then suddenly my opening of mouth started getting more dificult i saw the surgeon (fully expecting him to say i was imagining it-as we had a somewhat strained relationship by this point.) and he agreed that there is definately something wrong with the right side now

In a nutshell hes saying that there is a problem with the mandibular joint itself and this is severly limiting the opening of my mouth. He said there is nothing expect another operation that will improve things and "all i can do at this stage is hope things get no worse." He also mentioned the possibility of arthritis of the jaw joint.

Hes taking a wait and see approach as i really really dont want another op, but for the last two nights i havent been able to get to sleep even after taking painkillers as their is a tremendous pain in my jaw joint.

Not too sure what the point is in my posting, guess im hoping someone else has been through this and can be of some help as too where to go from here. And i just want to moan!

For anyone about to have surgery, dont want to scare you ive just been incredibly unlucky and even my surgeon cant believe all this.

[monarch]

I'm so sorry to hear of all the trouble you have been experiencing. In my humble opinion, I think your situation sounds hopeful. Since your dr. is taking a wait and see approach, maybe he thinks there is just some strain on the TMJ joint, and that after a few weeks the pain will go away.

I hope it all turns out to be simple, and that you won't have to go through surgery again!

[PJ]

So sorry to hear about your troubles. Have you thought of trying some physical therapy? It could be just what you need. If so, be sure to get a therapist who has experience with TMJ issues. Best of luck to you.

[loulou123]

Thank you for your kind replies.

Monarch- unfortanetly the surgeon has confirmed that things will not get any better, hes waiting to see if they get worse There is alot of scar tissue formed around the joint and also some "fibourous" (have no idea if thats the spelling!) bone growth in and around the joint. So there is unfortanetly no hope of it getting better by itself. The wait and see approach is purely because i am desperate not to have another surgery, and want to see myself if it gets worse, as if not i will try to learn to live with it how it is now.

PJ - thanks for the idea, i have tried this once but may look into giving it another go. Not sure if it will be too much use, as its not just a problem with the muscles, but worth a go.

[sauerkraut]

loulou, I'm so sorry to hear about all your latest troubles. I remember your posts after the initial operation/s, when you were going through so much but somehow always managed to sound upbeat and postive. I'd been hoping since then that no news was good news...

Is it worth trying to get a second opinion from another reputable surgeon?

[loulou123]

sauerkraut-thank you for your concern and the nic comment about how positively i coped 1st time round.

May try getting another opinion but since i had the op on the NHS in the UK this may not be so easy, as my surgeon is the only NHS orthaganthic surgeon in this area. Although i had my problems with him 1st time round, i am sure this time he is on the right track, as when i yawn for example i can feel something grinding in my jaw joint

How is everything with you?

[iBorg]

What a bummer.....
After the way you held together when the plate had to be removed you deserve better! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Mike