I have BSSO scheduled for 9/26. I have about a 7-8mm overjet and I have some jaw, ear, neck pain. I never feel my jaw is in a relaxed position, and I have some trouble biting and chewing. My reservation is that I'm 39 years old, and worried about going under anesthesia and the recovery at my age. I've gone this long with this bite! None of this is unbearable, I can continue to take Advil for pain. I have two young kids and insurance isn't covering this! I feel like I have more reasons not to do it than to do it. I go back and forth and I really need to make a decision soon!!! For those of you who have gone through this at an older age, would you recommend going through with it? Were you scared about going under anesthesia?
Dee
Surgery scheduled- thinking of backing out
Moderator: bbsadmin
Re: Surgery scheduled- thinking of backing out
I am 52 years old and had my lower jaw moved forward 9 millmeters on June 27. So I am on about Day 75 Post Op. It was not easy, but I will be glad I did it. I never had cosmetic motivations. Mine was all about saving my teeth for many more years. The biggest concern for me has been the nerve re-generation and I still have significant numbness in my tongue, lower lip and chin. But I am getting tingling and itching and so I am literally willing my nerve to recover. And it will. And then in time, I will get my braces removed and this will be all in the past and I will have a straight bite that will protect my teeth for many many more years. Good luck with your decisoion and if I can help you with more insight any way, let me know.
Re: Surgery scheduled- thinking of backing out
DRG,
The anesthetic will be fine; My dad is who in his late 50's (I think now he may even be 60?) has had several instances of "going under", most recently last year when he had an accident where his bicep muscle literally ripped off his bone. They had to open up his arm and re-attach the muscle.
After the first 4 to 5 days, things really start to turn a corner. You don't have any real pain either aside from the random muscle spasam, most of your problems will just come from inconviences and unfomfortable sleeping positions for the first few weeks! Plus, you are only having your bottom jaw operated on. Yes, the bottom jaw does carry the longest recovery for nerves and feelings, but at least the swelling won't be as bad as double jaw surgery! Hehe, always look at the bright side!
I can assure you that for me, I would do it all over again. In Fact, I technically have! I had a SARPE last year and then my double jaw and genio this year.
All in all, only you can make the decision to go through with it, but Bomb has lived a little over a decade more than you have with an improper bite and he decided to get it done. You're 39 now, and maybe you can sweep it under a rug for a few more years until it pops into your head again, and again, and again. I've read a few stories on here where people had the opportunity to do it in their 30's and 40's and opted to not do it, only to find themselves in the same place in their 50's and believe it or not 60's (there was one woman doing it in her 60's when I was on the forums for my SARPE, you may be able to find her post. She was a mom IIRC and posted a lot in this section).
Best of luck in your decisions; like Bomb offered, if you have any questions please voice them out and I too will try and help you make an informed decision!
The anesthetic will be fine; My dad is who in his late 50's (I think now he may even be 60?) has had several instances of "going under", most recently last year when he had an accident where his bicep muscle literally ripped off his bone. They had to open up his arm and re-attach the muscle.
After the first 4 to 5 days, things really start to turn a corner. You don't have any real pain either aside from the random muscle spasam, most of your problems will just come from inconviences and unfomfortable sleeping positions for the first few weeks! Plus, you are only having your bottom jaw operated on. Yes, the bottom jaw does carry the longest recovery for nerves and feelings, but at least the swelling won't be as bad as double jaw surgery! Hehe, always look at the bright side!
I can assure you that for me, I would do it all over again. In Fact, I technically have! I had a SARPE last year and then my double jaw and genio this year.
All in all, only you can make the decision to go through with it, but Bomb has lived a little over a decade more than you have with an improper bite and he decided to get it done. You're 39 now, and maybe you can sweep it under a rug for a few more years until it pops into your head again, and again, and again. I've read a few stories on here where people had the opportunity to do it in their 30's and 40's and opted to not do it, only to find themselves in the same place in their 50's and believe it or not 60's (there was one woman doing it in her 60's when I was on the forums for my SARPE, you may be able to find her post. She was a mom IIRC and posted a lot in this section).
Best of luck in your decisions; like Bomb offered, if you have any questions please voice them out and I too will try and help you make an informed decision!
Re: Surgery scheduled- thinking of backing out
How did your surgery go?
Re: Surgery scheduled- thinking of backing out
Thank you for your replies! I didn't end up going through with it. I think I had already made up my mind at the time. However, I do really think I need to do this now or never. If I ever want a proper bite, now is the time. So, I have rescheduled for Dec. 5. I'm very nervous as it is only a couple of weeks away! No backing out this time.
Hope you are both recovering well!
Hope you are both recovering well!