Having 2 surgeries at once, but am a bit confused

[HpyTwoBMe]

I'm a 44 year old female and am scheduled to have surgery in Feb. They will perform SARPE and break the jaw to correct my crossbite. Simply put, I have a crossbite but even if that were corrected, the top is too narrow to fit the bottom.

What I'm confused about is I've been in braces for about a year and according to my ortho and surgeon, the teeth are to be aligned prior to surgery, then they'll do the surgery and the braces will come off 10-12 weeks following the surgery. It was explained that because of the way the surgery is performed, I won't have a gap in the front teeth and won't wear an expander.

After reading all the post on here, it seems in most cases the surgery was done first. Not sure what I'm missing. I've received a second and third opinion simply because I'm not looking forward to the surgery and wanted to be sure there were no other options. The other two surgeons totally agree that the surgery is necessary and both have said the surgeon I'm using specializes in this particular surgery and highly recommended I follow through with him. I just don't get why mine is being done in reverse.

Anyone have experience with the treatment plan I'm on? Info or advice? What to expect having both surgeries performed at once?

THANKS

[BaliGirl]

Depending on the case, some surgeons perform SARPE first to widen the upper jaw (involves an expander device that needs to be turned after the surgery to accomplish the expansion), and then follow it with upper/lower jaw surgery later to fix the overall jaw alignment (this is done when a large amount of expansion is needed). Other surgeons perform a single surgery where they surgically expand the upper jaw and fix the jaw alignment at the same time (this is done when a smaller amount of expansion is needed). This is the better way to go when possible because only a single surgery is needed - and it sounds like what is being done in your case. Good luck with your surgery!

[HpyTwoBMe]

BaliGirl - Thanks for taking the time to reply. While I thought I did all the appropriate research before deciding to progress with the surgery, I was a bit freaked out at the thought that I made the wrong decision or should have investigated my options further. I now feel much better. Now off to the next issue which is finding a healthy/balanced LIQUID diet that can be maintained for 12-14 weeks. I've been instructed that I can have anything that can fit through a straw - yet - warned that most people end up drinking milk shakes. I would never drink a milk shake which means I'd better get cranking on some healthy smoothie options.
Hope you have a fabulous weekend - again THANKS