A long journey finally at the end!

[HokieTay]

Hey everyone! I have not been on here for a long time, but thought I'd post b/c I finally had my last regularly scheduled orthodontist appt. I had BSSO and Le Fort in June 2009 and I had my braces off in October 2009, but even though I had my braces off over a year ago I have still had to go back every 4-12 weeks for retainer and/or bite adjustments. My bite was about 95% perfect when the braces came off, but finally just now came together and I'd say it's 99% perfect! So now I just go back every year to make sure things are all good. I am a little sad b/c I liked missing work to go to the ortho, haha!

Anyhow, just wanted to say that although this was a long, and at times painful and extremely frustrating (insurance woes) process, it was TOTALLY WORTH IT and I am soooo happy I did this. I only wish I had done it when it was first recommended to me when I was 14 and my parents would have been footing the bill. So some of you might not have been on here long enough to see my photos so posting them again. Maybe it will give some of you guys a piece of mind to see that the swelling lasts a LONG time (in my case it wasn't totally gone for prob four months). The last 3 pics are the most recent (within the last month or two). The rest are prob eight or more months old. Hopefully this works:

https://picasaweb.google.com/007HokieTa ... fj73tTc0gE#

[freakyteeth]

HI Hokie,

Thanks for posting your pics. It doesn't look like your swelling was out of control post surgery. You are gorgeous in your before pics and stunning in your after pics.


I understand the twice in braces

[ceanna]

Congrats on the completion of your journey! Your results are amazing! You're beautiful both before and after. I can't wait till I'm out of braces.

[Kirish]

Beautiful results. Congrats

[bracedfaced]

Thanks HokieTay! I have had your results in my favorites list for almost a year now so it's nice to hear more about your progress, etc!!

[HokieTay]

Thanks so much for all the kind words everyone. It really means a lot!

No, my swelling was never out of control, but it did last a long time. It slowly went down, but looking back at pictures I always think, "wow I was still pretty swollen 4 months later!"

[DRG]

First, I'd like to say Go Hokies!

Secondly, your bite looks amazing. Easy for me to say, as I could click through many months of pictures to instantly see the results. It's pretty easy to tell that it was all worth it in the end.

Thanks for sharing,
DRG
(VT Class of '97, LeFort I & IVRO class of Feb 2011)

[CaliforniaKid]

amazing, congrats.

i have a very similar conditions to yours and so it is comforting to see something i can relate to.

certainly not looking forward to the swelling and post-surgery recovery process. id be afraid to look in the mirror.

you really look fantastic.

[blindboarder2008]

Hey fellow june crewer of 09!

Wow I cant believe we have got this far!! your pics are amazing:) Congratz again:) I haven't been on here for a while either as I got busy with school but I missed everyone on here so I decided it was time to get back on here plus I'm in the process of planning for an implanted tooth to fill my space that they made for me:)

I hope you are doing well!
ciao for now
bb:)