Metal Mouth Message Board

I had my lower jaw advanced and my chin reduced just over five weeks ago.

Before I had the surgery, I had no problems with my lips meeting, but since the surgery they have not been co-operating at all.

I no longer have any numb areas so it's definitely not that - I was relying on the fact that maybe they'd start functioning when I lost all the numbness, but clearly that's not the case! When I originally mentioned it to my surgeon, a week after surgery, he just said that they cut through the muscle so it didn't surprise him that my lower lip wasn't moving properly, but that as my face had been made shorter (I think they changed the angle of the lower jaw slightly as well?) it should be easier for them to come together at rest.

But here we are, just over five weeks later, and they still seem to just be hanging open all the time!

I should mention that I physically CAN shut them now - when I eat or drink they will close and co-operate although it feels like a strain, that seems to happen naturally and they seem to want to close to do that although it looks a little odd. And I can force them close now, but it looks odd and you can see that I'm straining to do it.

My swelling has mostly gone, although I do have what feels like a pretty big lump on one side of my jaw though you can't actually see it.

Did anyone else have this problem and eventually manage to close theirs? I wouldn't mind so much but they shut perfectly before with no problems, and honestly if I had known that this was a possibility I would never have had the surgery as I think I just look ridiculous all the time and I'm hyper aware of it. It's a good job that my teeth are in a good position now being that you can see them all the time...!

Sorry i have NO advice on the lips meeting
however, I have the lump thing on my jaw and wanted to know if you know what it is!!
its annoying me. lol

At around 5 weeks I had the same problem and I was worried that my mouth would naturally hang open permanently. However I believe it was due to residual swelling. At the time I had thought my swelling had mostly resolved, but now at almost 3 months I can definitely see a huge difference in swelling from now and then, and I continue to have minimal swelling at this point too. I think you should continue to wait it out as your face is likely to continue to change over the next month, but if you are concerned, to bring it up with your surgeon at your next follow-up.

Edit: forgot to mention my mouth no longer hangs open. I don't remember when, maybe at the 1.5-2 month mark.

At 5 weeks post-surgery, you'll still have some degree of swelling. It varies person to person, but it's possible residual swelling is subtly affecting the way your lips meet. Have you thought about asking your surgeon or ortho?

And, by the way, I did personally have this problem, though it only lasted 2 or 3 days after the op.

5 weeks is not a lot when it comes to this kind of surgery. I am curious if now you still have the same problem.
Some people will be more swollen than the others so you should give it more time to recover properly. Muscles do recover in time.

It took me about 10 months for my lips to properly close without any straining.

Be patient, you'll get there!