Metal Mouth Message Board

Ooook, I just came back from hospital where I spent 9 days in total. Result-wise, it was a huge success. I have a perfect bite now, my chin shortened and improved a lot, my facial ballance is much better now - no dishface anymore. On the other side, my underdeveloped cheekbones will be more evident for the next few months.

Unfortunately, I almost died during this surgery. A massive bleeding occured during the osteotomy and I lost 1 liter of blood on the table and another half litre after the surgery. My waking up was the worst scenary I could ever imagine - still intubated, vomiting huge ammounts of blood (because my gastric sond did not work properly) and sufflocating on it while I had my jaws wired shut. Seriously, had it not been for these nurses on the intensive care/resuscitation unit, I might not make it

They kept me under morphine and I received a lot of plazma with no effect, so they had to give me blood transfusions after the major bleeding subsided (horse dose of drugs later, lol). After the transfusions, when my red blood cell count jumped a little higher, I got much better, but anyway spent most of monday half comatose and very ill on tuesday. I had to stay on the intensive care unit for 3 days, then they slowly moved me to a normal room.

I must admit, I was cursing myself for going under the knife in the first few days, but even though I am still sore, swollen, weak and banded shut (heavy duty rubber bands), I am glad I did it.

I just hope that my next surgery will not be so eventfull, lol.

good sweet mother of god! Go buy a lotto ticket asap, and take one of those nurses with you. Glad to hear you made it through even with those horrendous circumstances. I hope you next one goes much more smooth.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph!! All that from a Lefort 1??? May I ask what country or state you are in? My surgeon told me when I asked if I should donate blood, that there is almost always extremely little blood lost. I am sure glad you are alive!!

I am from Czech Republic, Europe.

My doctor team was 100% sure that the bleeding will be minimal like the last time with SARPE (quite eventless recovery) and that I even do not need a special blood test at the transfusion unit that many surgeries require just in case.

They were totally shocked by what happened but luckily did not freak out and finished the surgery even though things looked quite scary. I can not imagine what I would do if I had to wake up half dead AND with cut but unmoved jaw.

They are suspecting that the bleeding is a rare complication of a Crouzon syndrome patient with deviated soft tissue (more gingiva, more veins in places where they did not expect them to be).

I think that this was an extreme case of a rare complication that occurs once in thousands of surgeries.

Wow. After all that, I'm glad to hear that you made it through OK in the end.

sp pleased that you have made it through dotcat .

it is no consolation that this sort of thing happens once in thousands of surgeries when YOU are the one it happens to.

In UK they do always group and save blood when both jaws are being done because it is slightly more risky but even then its not often needed.

I do so hope that now you have had this horrid happening that you recovery is uneventful and that now that your bite and jawa are in great shape you feel much better.

all the very best

DotCat,

Reading your post made me sick to my stomach. This is a risk that we take, and it why this surgery is so very serious in nature.

I am so sorry about the complications that you had to experience. Nobody should have to go through that.

You're truly an inspiration to all of us on here - Even after such an experience, you are saying you have a perfect bite and that you're glad you did this. Bravo!!

Your positive outlook makes me very happy...and I'm sure everybody that is here and reads your story will have the lasting impression knowing that you are happy.

I wish you the best of luck in your recovery...Please take care!

-Chicago29

What a nightmare! How horrible this had to be for you and your family. You are one brave person!
I wondered when we were going to hear from you since you & iborg went in the same day. Have not heard much from iborg.
Very glad to hear that you are happy with the results. Wishing you the Best for an easy recovery.

WOAH! Hard core! I'd still be blubbering like a baby. As soon as you're back on your feet you deserve a big round of drinks, and a pet pony.

I'm glad that you made it to the other side and are still in good spirits. It is great that they finished the surgery instead of backing out. That would have been so horrible. Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery!

Gosh, I read this and really felt for you. I am so glad you pulled through and are in a positive mindset. This definitely made me a little more nervous (if that's possible!) for my surgery on Monday.

I hope your recovery is uneventful and comfortable.

holy crow dotcat, glad you are okay and I thought I had the worst complications, your experience is definetly worse then mine in that I didn't loose alot of blood I just had issues breathing and with the antibiotics. glad to hear you are doing okay and happy with your results. off I go now to see the dental surgeon for a post op check up and hopefully here the news tht i can take these elastics off while I'm eating and brushing!!!

Thank you for all the support and good luck wishes.

Ooook, here goes an update:

First to remind you what I started with (and these are the more flattering photos). It is amazing, how I almost can not believe I looked like this. One gets used to looking better so quickly.











Now, 2 maxfac surgeries later my 11 days post-op pics. I am still very swollen.









Rubber bands everywhere, hahaha:


More here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14322293@N04/



I still need to get my cheekbones/orbital rims, because so far, only the lower parts of my face have been repaired and my eyes still lack the bony support, not to mention it is very visible with the repaired upper jaw. I will get customised midface implant that should cover cheekbones, orbital rims and maybe even the root of my nose. It will be a big implant and a ton of porex, but my surgeon is confident that this last surgery should be much easier recovery-wise than the 2 I had to go through, because it does not involve breaking any bones, just screwing in some plastic. XD

Now, I have to make them give me superhigh model cheekbones and hot looks, hahaha.

Oh... and my insurance is covering all the surgeries, I only have to pay for dental/ortho material, because that is considered cosmetic expense.

OMG----you are gorgeous, a totally different face/profile!!!! Your surgeons did an excellent job--I am so sorry to hear of your complications, but you are in good spirits and should be happy with the results!!

Cheers!!

You look amazing! And I am even more impressed by your positive attitude, and willingness to head into that next surgery, considering all that happened to you.

Amazing DotCat!! I'm so happy for you, and you look GREAT only being 12 days or so post-op...

Your positive attitude continues to be an inspiration to me, and I'm sure many other people on this board.