Filled with doubts!

Message

#1 Post by **femmefatale** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 9:29 pm

Hi guys! I'm new here. So glad I found this forum, such a great help!

First all I should apologize in advance because my english is not very good (specially with technical terms) but I'll try my best!

My orthodoncist told me I need orthognathic surgery: maxilar impactation, maxilar rotation and mandibular advancement, but I'm having some serious doubts before getting my braces on.

Does the mandibular advancement increase the vertical height of the jaw?

I feel this would give me a masculine look that certainly don't need!

I mean I'd love to change my profile but not my jaw height from the front it that makes any sense, and I'ts really difficult to say from all the pics I have seen..

Same with lip height... I already have a really long lip that I feel is too masculine, will the surgery help with that ? Or is lip lift the only solution ?

Even with the extra long lip I still show too much of my gums when I smile.

Also really worried about nose changes, but oh well, I guess that's inevitable.. wondering if my deviated septum will be a problem..

I'm afraid that improving my profile would mean ruinning my face from the front.

Do you guys have the feeling that people look older after surgery ? Maybe the overbite gives a really young look ?

Obviously I have worries that go beyond the aesthetics, but those have been solved because of this wonderful forum.

Thanks so much, you guys have helped me feeling less scared!

#2 Post by **ColoradoGirl** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:21 pm

Welcome!

It's hard to say without seeing pictures, but your case sounds somewhat similar to mine (though I didn't have gum problems). In my case, I had a severe underbite and short jaws and mild lip incompetence. I am thrilled with my results--the surgeon was sure to keep my appearance delicate. I don't look masculine at all--my face just looks balanced, and that's even with swelling. People have also told me I look younger. I certainly wouldn't have done this for aesthetic reasons alone, but it's an awesome bonus. I like the appearance from the front as much as I like the profile.

If I were you, I would bring up all your concerns with your surgeon and see what s/he says--my surgeon was able to give me a very close estimate of what would change and how it would change. They did a double jaw surgery with counterclockwise rotation, which made my lower lip look smaller and shortened my nose just a bit (I actually really like it).

#3 Post by **FracturedJack** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 4:18 am

Slightly different experience on my end - cross-bite and bad face. Did have repair to my nose, though. I'm not sure if I had a deviated septum before the nose repair but I don't think so. I do have one now. It isn't too much of a problem for me - I'm getting ready to run in my third marathon this weekend.

My opinion is that if there are flaws in the profile from the front or the back and they can be corrected for a more balanced look then seriously consider it. I had severe imbalance issues and have undergone a series of surgeries over 10 years and with each one impacting my profile I received good feedback from everyone around me.

If you are concerned about the deviated septum, that can also be repaired. I've decided that mine is minor enough of an issue that I don't want to mess with it but some are significant enough that it impacts sleeping and normal breathing.

#4 Post by **femmefatale** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 9:11 am

ColoradoGirl I'm glad you're happy with your results, It must be awesome!

My case is the opposite, I have an overbite, gummy smile and assymetry of the maxilar.

I'm not doing this only for aesthetic reasons either, in fact I've been having problems with my jaw since i was 12 (now I'm 30). Last summer I was in so much pain and couldn't even open my mouth, that i started searching for surgeons and they talked to me about orthognathic surgery.

I always knew there was something wrong about my face, but I couldn't put my finger on it, mainly because i hate taking pictures, i never take pictures of me and never let others take pictures of me, so I had no idea what my profile really looked like.

Also never smile because of my gums.

Now that I know that i can also improve aesthetically I'm looking forward to do it.

FracturedJack, I have a cross bite also. My nose doesn't bother me too much, i can live with it, but I have problems breathing in my sleep and that scares me a little. Sometimes i wake up because i can't breathe at all, not sure if my deviated septum has anything to do with that.

It's not that I'm really pretty from the from or anything, just a normal girl that some people can considerate attractive, but i'm afraid i would turn out worse because when i pull my jaw forward i love what i see from the profile, but from the front i see myself too masculine. Maybe because I'm not used to, or because my teeth naturally have tried to compensate and the lower teeth sticks out too much now.

I never noticed but my orthodoncist pointed out how one of my cheek bones sticks out much more than the other because of the maxilar assymetry, fascinating

I know the surgery will shorten my face, but I guess it will shorten the maxilar and increase the height of the jaw ?

I've found myself obsessing about other people's profiles lately, oh lucky people with perfect jaws!

In two weeks I have an apt with my surgeon, i'm really exited and scared!

#5 Post by **bracedfaced** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 9:41 am

I have an overbite and gummy smile as well but have not had my surgery yet. I worry that I will look masculine also! Sorry I don't have any answers for you. I am in the same boat though!

#6 Post by **femmefatale** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 5:18 pm

I took some pics (sorry for the quality)

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8436/jawcollage.jpg

#7 Post by **TwitBerry** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:54 am

I would only do this if you are certain that you have the best team, both ortho and surgeon.

You have an ideal front view, IMO, and your profile seems just a little deficient, which does give you a younger, more feminine quality. I had similar issues: a recessed jaw, but my chin was prominent.

In the end, I wish that I would have never agreed to this surgery. I now look somewhat like Kyle McLaughlin, only I'm female. I had the worst team of doctors imaginable, so I suppose my bad results could have been avoided with a more competent and experienced people.

You're a beautiful girl. Please do your research well and choose your doctors wisely.

#8 Post by **femmefatale** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:17 pm

Hi TwitBerry

I'm so sorry about your surgery. Aside from the chin, don't you think it was worth it ? Have you think about genioplasty ?

Do you have any pics ? I'd love to see them

#9 Post by **femmefatale** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:19 pm

*Have you thought

Sorry I can't find the edit button

#10 Post by **TwitBerry** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 1:00 am

Hi femmefatale,
Since they moved my jaw too far forward, reduction genio may not be an option to my aesthetic problem. Apparently, this is a tricky procedure that can result in sagging/bunching skin if too much bone is reduced, and a lot of reduction would be necessary in my case.

The protrusion is the least of my worries, though, as my jaw never healed correctly, causing a lot of jaw and joint pain and instability, and I now have a slight underbite (started with an overbite). Basically, my mandible looks like it's split lengthwise on a 3D CT scan Not sure if this is called a non union or mal-union (I forget), but it's caused a whole new host of problems far beyond any cosmetic concerns, as if this wasn't already enough.

Needless to say, my regret is profound and has been life changing, and not in a good way. It is not my intention to scare you off of this procedure. I've read that others have healed without incident and have had good aesthetic outcomes. My case is likely not the norm. Just be very selective with your doctors if you choose to move ahead with this.

You have good features, and the feminine look is far more attractive, IMO. I would cautious about making any major changes, especially since you have concerns about lower face lengthening. My face is much longer. But, then, they moved my lower jaw pretty far.

This is all JMHO. Hope this helps.