Going in for surgery in September

[Sarah85]

Hi everyone, my name is Sarah. I'm 26 years old and I will be getting surgery on September 6th. I have an under bite that is classified as class III malocclusion. I'm legally blind due to Stargardt disease. The vision loss started when I was 10 and by the time I was 16 I lost 160 degrees of vision. My vision right now is basically of what normal person would be looking if they were looking through straws. I had braces when I was 12 which didn't correct my bite. Two years when I began dating my fiancee I decide to improve my appearance even though I can't see much. I had braces put on last year again and my orthodontist suggested orthognathic surgery and I agreed to it. I have read quite a bit on recovery. My mother is retired and is willing to help me out during recovery. But I'm concerned about the first few days and how rough they might be. I want to get perspectives from people who have undergone the surgery or people that are undergoing it too.

[Lucia07]

Hi Sarah85,

I will be undergoing upper and lower jaw surgery in 11 days so I can let you know how rough it is or maybe not so rough. Let's hope for the latter. But from the blogs that I've read and other comments on this message board, it seems like it is painful the first few days and then the rest of the recovery seems to be more discomfort than pain. I guess the only way to really know is once I experience it. I'll try to get on the message board after the surgery.

[Bullfighter]

Hi everyone, my name is Sarah. I'm 26 years old and I will be getting surgery on September 6th. I have an under bite that is classified as class III malocclusion. I'm legally blind due to Stargardt disease. The vision loss started when I was 10 and by the time I was 16 I lost 160 degrees of vision. My vision right now is basically of what normal person would be looking if they were looking through straws. I had braces when I was 12 which didn't correct my bite. Two years when I began dating my fiancee I decide to improve my appearance even though I can't see much. I had braces put on last year again and my orthodontist suggested orthognathic surgery and I agreed to it. I have read quite a bit on recovery. My mother is retired and is willing to help me out during recovery. But I'm concerned about the first few days and how rough they might be. I want to get perspectives from people who have undergone the surgery or people that are undergoing it too.

I also had braces when I was 12 -- they straightened my teeth, but I still had an open bite. I'm in my 40s now and had orthognathic surgery in February.

With regard to surgery, I had an overjet so my surgery was different, but I tried to write it up in a recent discussion here: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=39736

Even though your vision is limited, this type of surgery may improve your profile, and you will feel it (if/when numbness subsides) as much as see it -- especially when you're eating, but even in the general shape of your face. So, I think you can look forward to feeling pretty good about yourself afterward. Definitely worth it for somone young like yourself to have perfect teeth/bite.

[Sarah85]

[quote="Lucia07"]Hi Sarah85,

I will be undergoing upper and lower jaw surgery in 11 days so I can let you know how rough it is or maybe not so rough. Let's hope for the latter. But from the blogs that I've read and other comments on this message board, it seems like it is painful the first few days and then the rest of the recovery seems to be more discomfort than pain. I guess the only way to really know is once I experience it. I'll try to get on the message board after the surgery.[/quote]

I have read that the first fee days seem painful. I wish you well with your surgery Lucia07. I'll check the boards to see if there are posts by you. I'll understand if aren't feeling well and might not feel like posting.

[Lucia07]

Hi Sarah,

i'm on the other side now. The post op side and it has been really tough. This is day 6 now. You mentioned your mother will be helping you and that's really great because any support you have is helpful. My husband has been taking care of me and he has gotten up during the night to give me pain meds and he makes all the blended food I need. Today my husband went back to work but my dad came to my house to also help me out. i don't know remember if you'll be having upper and lower jaw surgery or just lower. I had both and i'm wearing a splint now that has to be in for 3 wks. I also have elastic bands and have to eat through a syringe. I am trying to eat about every 2-3 hrs so i don't get really really hungry. Which you'llsee that you're always hungry anyway. I feel like a child sometimes because all I've done since the surgery is eat and sleep. The pain med knocks me out but i haven't been able to sleep more than 2-3 hours straight because of either getting up to take medicine or go to the bathroom with all the liquids i intake or eat. Anyway, let me know if you have any questions. I may have come across it already. Don't be scared about the surgery. If anything, the days leading up to the surgery may be the worst because of all the anticipation you have built up.

[Sarah85]

[quote="Lucia07"]Hi Sarah,

i'm on the other side now. The post op side and it has been really tough. This is day 6 now. You mentioned your mother will be helping you and that's really great because any support you have is helpful. My husband has been taking care of me and he has gotten up during the night to give me pain meds and he makes all the blended food I need. Today my husband went back to work but my dad came to my house to also help me out. i don't know remember if you'll be having upper and lower jaw surgery or just lower. I had both and i'm wearing a splint now that has to be in for 3 wks. I also have elastic bands and have to eat through a syringe. I am trying to eat about every 2-3 hrs so i don't get really really hungry. Which you'llsee that you're always hungry anyway. I feel like a child sometimes because all I've done since the surgery is eat and sleep. The pain med knocks me out but i haven't been able to sleep more than 2-3 hours straight because of either getting up to take medicine or go to the bathroom with all the liquids i intake or eat. Anyway, let me know if you have any questions. I may have come across it already. Don't be scared about the surgery. If anything, the days leading up to the surgery may be the worst because of all the anticipation you have built up.[/quote]

I will be have my upper and lower done. I will have to be banded for 4-5 weeks, my surgeon is still reviewing some things. I hope you feel better and recover well. Thank you for advice on eating every few hours. I do worry about issues with sleep during recovery. I have heard and read that the days before the surgery are always the worst.