Norcal (SF Bay Area) vs LA for orthognathic surgery

[Bglasf]

Hi all. I just joined this board.

I’m based in San Francisco currently but have also lived in LA in recent years. I have had breathing obstruction, sleep issues, spinal problem, and cervical+thoracic musculoskeletal hypersensitivity due to underbite, in tandem with basic airway hypersensitivity/asthma,rhinitis.

My condition has vastly affected all aspects of my life for nearly two decades now, and until recently I wasn’t even fully aware that my malocclusion was the biggest factor behind my constant misery and inability to thrive. With the constant masking and isolation due to Covid, I started letting go (partially - since muscle memory is strong) a constant habit of holding back my lower teeth as much as possible with my upper which started two and a half decades ago in my adolescence (I’m 44 now) - as I was becoming more conscious about my appearance. That’s how I became fully aware of what’s going on. Having lived this way for so long, I’m naturally even more paranoid about a problematic issue getting even worse because of a bad surgeon.

I researched a bit about jaw surgery facilities and specialists, and found hardly any encouraging leads for the Bay Area, and a few horror stories, particularly under Kaiser, my insurance last year (I’m still deciding about insurance provider this year)

I am noticing more facilities and better reviews in the SoCal region and I’m willing to consider moving down there for a few months to take care of this.

I’d really appreciate thoughts, suggestions and recommendations from you guys. My first choice for insurance would be Kaiser for simplicity but the right care/facility/surgeon come first.

I haven’t yet had any orthodontic consult but I’d think it’d be best to do it where I want to have my surgery. I’ve the front two teeth on my lower jaw slightly more outward than the rest (some overcrowding) but other than that there’s no misalignment anywhere. I’d hope any preparatory treatment (braces) with orthodontist would not take too long...

[Bglasf]

PS. My lower jaw protrusion is definitely more than just the misalignment of the front two teeth...