Guest guest Posted October 12, 2003 Report Share Posted October 12, 2003 I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That is Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what was your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is how much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able to carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and such. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2003 Report Share Posted October 12, 2003 I am scheduled to have this done on Nov 2 to correct my crossbite. I will have an expander in my mouth for 3-6 months. Then braces to clean up the mess the expansion leaves on my other teeth. I have been told after a couple of weeks eating, etc feels fairly Ok. Is your scenario similar to mine? We can share info.... -- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , cemir17 wrote: > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That is > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what was > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is how > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able to > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and such. > Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Hi Cemir, I had Rapid Palate Expansion (RPE) Surgery in March 2002 in order to prepare my bite for upper/lower jaw surgery which I had 10 Days ago. My experience with RPE was pretty straightforward and can be summarized, I guess, as follows: It was performed as an outpatient procedure in the hospital. I went in at 8:00 in the morning, surgery took about an hour and a half, I stayed in the " recovery area " of ambulatory surgery for another 2 hours pumped full of anti-nausea meds because I was really nauseous. By 1:30 in the afternoon I was home in my PJs relaxing in bed. I had no pain at all and any mild throbbing was taken care of by tylenol with codeine. In fact, I think I only took the tylenol for the first 24 hours because I hate that groggy feeling. I didn't need any pain medication after that. I was talking immediately after surgery, and was eating fine a day or two later. I remember it felt similar to having the soreness of an ortho appointment for the first few days. I had my surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on Monday without a hitch. A couple of things worth mentioning... I threw up after I got home from the surgery - having swallowed blood. In fact, I barely made it home in the car. As soon as I threw up though....I felt a thousand times better. I can't recall how long before my RPE surgery I had had the actual expander installed. But I do know that it was very hard to get used to for the first few weeks. I sounded like Daffy Duck for a while, but it was manageable. It just takes practice and patience. I ended up wearing my expander for at least 6 months. The first 6 weeks were to expand the palate (mine was expanded 12mm), then another 3 months to close the gap between my front teeth and maintain stability. So after a while you forget you even have the expander in. The gap was unforgettable, however. My ortho created a tooth size gap between my front teeth and I looked like a female version of Alfred E Neuman from MAD Magazine. It was the worst 4 months of my life in terms of appearance. I used the hard ortho wax to create a fake tooth and fill in the gap between my front teeth. People could tell that I had something going on in my mouth, but they weren't quite sure what it was. I hope that helped. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. Sharon Maxillary expansion I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That is Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what was your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is how much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able to carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and such. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Hello, I just had this done Sept. 29, so today is 3 weeks post-op. I had the expander in for one week prior to surgery, and it was activated during the operation. The expander takes a little getting used to - I had this odd version of a lisp for the first several days. Now I have this increasing gap between my front teeth, which is what's supposed to happen, but it can make saying " s " and " f " a little difficult at times. And watch for spit coming through that gap when you speak :- )!! Anyway, the swelling is down now - the first 4 days are the worst, and after the first week my swelling really went down fast. If you have any other questions, let me know!! Steph > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That is > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what was > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is how > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able to > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and such. > Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 CAn you eat normally yet? Is your speech back to normal? > >Reply-To: orthognathicsurgerysupport >To: orthognathicsurgerysupport >Subject: [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] Re: Maxillary expansion >Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 16:20:21 -0000 > >Hello, > >I just had this done Sept. 29, so today is 3 weeks post-op. I had the >expander in for one week prior to surgery, and it was activated >during the operation. The expander takes a little getting used to - I >had this odd version of a lisp for the first several days. Now I have >this increasing gap between my front teeth, which is what's supposed >to happen, but it can make saying " s " and " f " a little difficult at >times. And watch for spit coming through that gap when you speak :- >)!! Anyway, the swelling is down now - the first 4 days are the >worst, and after the first week my swelling really went down fast. If >you have any other questions, let me know!! > >Steph > > > > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That is > > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what >was > > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is >how > > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able >to > > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and such. > > Thanks in advance. > _________________________________________________________________ Want to check if your PC is virus-infected? Get a FREE computer virus scan online from McAfee. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Hello, actually I am still researching this. My bite seems fine but I am having dificulties breathing. I am going to go see otolaryngologist and see if my small palate can be resposible for my breathing dificulties. So I wanted to know other people experience with expansions of maxillary palate. To make things more complicating I work on the phones a lot and I do travel ocasionally so I would like to be able to minimize the inconvinience if possible. I will certainly share my experience. Thanks for the reply. > > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That > is > > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what > was > > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is > how > > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able > to > > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and > such. > > Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Steph, thanks for sharing your experience.My biggest concern is when would I be able to carry on normal life after the surgery. I do work on the phones a lot and I do not wish to miss a lot of time from work. Thanks again I will keep you updated what I decide in the future. Emir > > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That is > > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what > was > > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is > how > > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able > to > > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and such. > > Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Sharon, that was most helpful. Thank you very much. I will certainly share my experience as soon as I have something new to add. Right now I am just researching and keeping all of my options open. Emir > Hi Cemir, > I had Rapid Palate Expansion (RPE) Surgery in March 2002 in order to prepare my bite for upper/lower jaw surgery which I had 10 Days ago. My experience with RPE was pretty straightforward and can be summarized, I guess, as follows: > It was performed as an outpatient procedure in the hospital. I went in at 8:00 in the morning, surgery took about an hour and a half, I stayed in the " recovery area " of ambulatory surgery for another 2 hours pumped full of anti-nausea meds because I was really nauseous. By 1:30 in the afternoon I was home in my PJs relaxing in bed. I had no pain at all and any mild throbbing was taken care of by tylenol with codeine. In fact, I think I only took the tylenol for the first 24 hours because I hate that groggy feeling. I didn't need any pain medication after that. I was talking immediately after surgery, and was eating fine a day or two later. I remember it felt similar to having the soreness of an ortho appointment for the first few days. I had my surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on Monday without a hitch. > > A couple of things worth mentioning... > I threw up after I got home from the surgery - having swallowed blood. In fact, I barely made it home in the car. As soon as I threw up though....I felt a thousand times better. > > I can't recall how long before my RPE surgery I had had the actual expander installed. But I do know that it was very hard to get used to for the first few weeks. I sounded like Daffy Duck for a while, but it was manageable. It just takes practice and patience. I ended up wearing my expander for at least 6 months. The first 6 weeks were to expand the palate (mine was expanded 12mm), then another 3 months to close the gap between my front teeth and maintain stability. So after a while you forget you even have the expander in. > > The gap was unforgettable, however. My ortho created a tooth size gap between my front teeth and I looked like a female version of Alfred E Neuman from MAD Magazine. It was the worst 4 months of my life in terms of appearance. I used the hard ortho wax to create a fake tooth and fill in the gap between my front teeth. People could tell that I had something going on in my mouth, but they weren't quite sure what it was. > > I hope that helped. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. > Sharon > > Maxillary expansion > > > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That is > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what was > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is how > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able to > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and such. > Thanks in advance. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2003 Report Share Posted October 14, 2003 Hello to all who have had or are considering maxillary expansion!! It's been a little over 3 weeks since my surgery, and except for the gap in my front teeth, most people can't tell there is any difference in the way I speak. I work in three elementary school buildings, and I do alot of talking during the day, so it was a concern for me, too. I may have mentioned it before, so at the risk of repeating myself...except for the occasional word with an " f " , " s " , or " th " in just the right spot to cause a slight lisp, my speech is fine. The more you talk, the better it will be, too. The numbness is also almost entirely gone from my upper lip, so that also helps. One thing I've noticed is that my braces are rubbing on different spots, now. So, if you have braces already, you might get a few new sore spots from rubbing, but this will pass in short time. I was out one full week from work - I probably could have gone back after 4 days, but my first post-op appt. was that day, and I figured it was worth using another sick day to let myself rest. All of you who are considering the surgery or have it scheduled already, feel free to email me. Yes, hello !! Talk to you all soon!! Steph > > Hi Cemir, > > I had Rapid Palate Expansion (RPE) Surgery in March 2002 in order > to prepare my bite for upper/lower jaw surgery which I had 10 Days > ago. My experience with RPE was pretty straightforward and can be > summarized, I guess, as follows: > > It was performed as an outpatient procedure in the hospital. I > went in at 8:00 in the morning, surgery took about an hour and a > half, I stayed in the " recovery area " of ambulatory surgery for > another 2 hours pumped full of anti-nausea meds because I was really > nauseous. By 1:30 in the afternoon I was home in my PJs relaxing in > bed. I had no pain at all and any mild throbbing was taken care of > by tylenol with codeine. In fact, I think I only took the tylenol > for the first 24 hours because I hate that groggy feeling. I didn't > need any pain medication after that. I was talking immediately after > surgery, and was eating fine a day or two later. I remember it felt > similar to having the soreness of an ortho appointment for the first > few days. I had my surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on > Monday without a hitch. > > > > A couple of things worth mentioning... > > I threw up after I got home from the surgery - having swallowed > blood. In fact, I barely made it home in the car. As soon as I > threw up though....I felt a thousand times better. > > > > I can't recall how long before my RPE surgery I had had the actual > expander installed. But I do know that it was very hard to get used > to for the first few weeks. I sounded like Daffy Duck for a while, > but it was manageable. It just takes practice and patience. I ended > up wearing my expander for at least 6 months. The first 6 weeks were > to expand the palate (mine was expanded 12mm), then another 3 months > to close the gap between my front teeth and maintain stability. So > after a while you forget you even have the expander in. > > > > The gap was unforgettable, however. My ortho created a tooth size > gap between my front teeth and I looked like a female version of > Alfred E Neuman from MAD Magazine. It was the worst 4 months of my > life in terms of appearance. I used the hard ortho wax to create a > fake tooth and fill in the gap between my front teeth. People could > tell that I had something going on in my mouth, but they weren't > quite sure what it was. > > > > I hope that helped. If you have any other questions, please feel > free to ask. > > Sharon > > > > Maxillary expansion > > > > > > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That > is > > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what > was > > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is > how > > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able > to > > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and > such. > > Thanks in advance. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2003 Report Share Posted October 14, 2003 I have the same concern with my breathing. I was always told my high, narrow palate was an obstruction to my nasal breathing by dentists. Although my primary reason for the surgery was to fix my crossbite, I was hoping it would fix this problem also. However, my OS told me that it would not affect my nasal passage or breathing. However, I think others who have had this procedure claim that their breathing is better. Can anyone help us out here with their experience? > > > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That > > is > > > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what > > was > > > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is > > how > > > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able > > to > > > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and > > such. > > > Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2003 Report Share Posted October 15, 2003 I had maxillary expansion (RPE) in March 2002 in preparation for my lower/upper jaw surgery. It definitely opened up my nasal passages and I felt less congested overall (after the healing phase of course). Also, I used to get serious sinus headaches and had none after the RPE. Sharon Re: Maxillary expansion I have the same concern with my breathing. I was always told my high, narrow palate was an obstruction to my nasal breathing by dentists. Although my primary reason for the surgery was to fix my crossbite, I was hoping it would fix this problem also. However, my OS told me that it would not affect my nasal passage or breathing. However, I think others who have had this procedure claim that their breathing is better. Can anyone help us out here with their experience? > > > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. That > > is > > > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell what > > was > > > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that is > > how > > > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are able > > to > > > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and > > such. > > > Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2003 Report Share Posted October 15, 2003 That is my feeling too. You see 3 years ago I had septoplasty to correct deviated septum. I was fine at the beggining but now I am experiencing the same problems that I had before, I am breathing through only one nostril and sometime it gets worse or better. One side of my nose seems stuffed. I have scheduled an appointment with otolaryngologist week from now so I will hear what she has to say. In addition I do have TMJ dysfunction/disorder. So far it is not causing any pain but I do hear a cliking sound coming from my mouth when I yawn. > > > > I was just wandering if anyone here had surgery to maxilla. > That > > > is > > > > Surgically Assisted Maxillary Expansion. If yes can you tell > what > > > was > > > > your experience. I am most interested in recovery period that > is > > > how > > > > much time will pass from the moment of surgery until you are > able > > > to > > > > carry on normal life again such as speaking, chewing food and > > > such. > > > > Thanks in advance. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.