Re: Is This Appointment with my OS Really Necessary?

[Guest guest]

I think most oral surgeons are busy enough that they need not engage

in " ploys " to get money out of patients. (I had to wait more than a

month to see mine, and there are many who have waiting perids that

are much longer than that.)

I also think that he would not have asked you to come back at this

point unless he needs more information from/about you, or to give you

more information. I saw mine a year before surgery, and then not

again until a few weeks before surgery, but everybody has different

methods. He may want to make his own molds, do his own pictures or x-

rays, or who knows what else... He's your pro, and I would try to do

what he says, unless there's some reason really to question him

medically.

And after the initial consultation, for which I did pay a fee, all my

visits were covered by the flat price my guy quoted for the surgery.

Cammie

> My husband has been doing a very good job of playing devil's

advocate

> when it comes to my having orthognathic surger within the next

couple

> of years. I had my braces put on 11/04/03 and saw my OS for my

> initial consultation in October prior to having the braces. My

next

> appointment with him is scheduled for Jan. 12. I've had one

> adjustment thus far and am due for my next adjustment on my braces

> 1/26/04.

>

> My husband thinks that my OS appointment on Jan. 12 is not really

> necessary because I've been in braces for such a short time. For

one

> thing, he sees it as a ploy for the doctor to get more money out of

> us. He also thinks that the visits with the OS don't become

> imperative until about 6 months out from the surgery.

>

> What do you all think? I think I should keep my appointment so

that

> my OS can see how quickly or slowly my teeth are moving and consult

> with my ortho as to a timeline on when to aim for conducting the

> surgery. I'm all for keeping my appointment, and I know he'd like

> some insight on what all the OS would do for me this far out from

> surgery. For the record, my orthodontist originally estimated 10-

14

> months in braces, followed by 2-4 mos. in a splint before having

the

> surgery.

>

> Any opinions are appreciated,

>

[Guest guest]

Personally, I wanted/did see the surgeon a few times early. For one thing, I

kept

coming up with questions I wanted to ask! Also, I wanted to get a good feel for

the

kind of doc and also his office staff before I committed to him. I saw three

surgeons

before I settled on one. Remember that you will have to deal with these people

about

your health AND your money/insurance, so you need to be comfortable with them

and have CONFIDENCE in them.

I think Cammie made a good point about asking if there would be a charge for the

visit. But to me, even if there was a small charge (say under $100) I would be

willing

to pay for my peace of mind.

But, if you are already very confident about this surgeon, maybe you won't feel

the

same as I do!

Luck,

shazzypupp

> > My husband has been doing a very good job of playing devil's

> advocate

> > when it comes to my having orthognathic surger within the next

> couple

> > of years. I had my braces put on 11/04/03 and saw my OS for my

> > initial consultation in October prior to having the braces. My

> next

> > appointment with him is scheduled for Jan. 12. I've had one

> > adjustment thus far and am due for my next adjustment on my braces

> > 1/26/04.

> >

> > My husband thinks that my OS appointment on Jan. 12 is not really

> > necessary because I've been in braces for such a short time. For

> one

> > thing, he sees it as a ploy for the doctor to get more money out of

> > us. He also thinks that the visits with the OS don't become

> > imperative until about 6 months out from the surgery.

> >

> > What do you all think? I think I should keep my appointment so

> that

> > my OS can see how quickly or slowly my teeth are moving and consult

> > with my ortho as to a timeline on when to aim for conducting the

> > surgery. I'm all for keeping my appointment, and I know he'd like

> > some insight on what all the OS would do for me this far out from

> > surgery. For the record, my orthodontist originally estimated 10-

> 14

> > months in braces, followed by 2-4 mos. in a splint before having

> the

> > surgery.

> >

> > Any opinions are appreciated,

> >

[Guest guest]

I too had several early consults with my OS, and all of them were

necessary. I don't remember what sort of costs may have been

involved, but it was during my second consult, after seeing models

from the ortho, that my surgeon told me I'd need upper and lower.

Initially he had just said lower. I think Cammie is right on when

she says that doctors are generally very busy people. If you're

feeling uneasy about your January appointment, you could call the

doctor's office and ask them what you should expect at during it.

You have every right to do that.

> > > My husband has been doing a very good job of playing devil's

> > advocate

> > > when it comes to my having orthognathic surger within the next

> > couple

> > > of years. I had my braces put on 11/04/03 and saw my OS for my

> > > initial consultation in October prior to having the braces. My

> > next

> > > appointment with him is scheduled for Jan. 12. I've had one

> > > adjustment thus far and am due for my next adjustment on my

braces

> > > 1/26/04.

> > >

> > > My husband thinks that my OS appointment on Jan. 12 is not

really

> > > necessary because I've been in braces for such a short time.

For

> > one

> > > thing, he sees it as a ploy for the doctor to get more money

out of

> > > us. He also thinks that the visits with the OS don't become

> > > imperative until about 6 months out from the surgery.

> > >

> > > What do you all think? I think I should keep my appointment so

> > that

> > > my OS can see how quickly or slowly my teeth are moving and

consult

> > > with my ortho as to a timeline on when to aim for conducting

the

> > > surgery. I'm all for keeping my appointment, and I know he'd

like

> > > some insight on what all the OS would do for me this far out

from

> > > surgery. For the record, my orthodontist originally estimated

10-

> > 14

> > > months in braces, followed by 2-4 mos. in a splint before

having

> > the

> > > surgery.

> > >

> > > Any opinions are appreciated,

> > >

[Guest guest]

YOur OMS is not playing games with you... It is important for you to

see him when needed. I am 2 1/2 hrs from my surgeon. So things he

needed done, the orthodontist did and mailed them to the OMS. Don't

let your husband play mind games that the surgeon is trying to get

more money out of you. They are very busy! Mine operate in the

hospital once a week and also do procedures in their office.

Carin

[Guest guest]

YOur OMS is not playing games with you... It is important for you to

see him when needed. I am 2 1/2 hrs from my surgeon. So things he

needed done, the orthodontist did and mailed them to the OMS. Don't

let your husband play mind games that the surgeon is trying to get

more money out of you. They are very busy! Mine operate in the

hospital once a week and also do procedures in their office.

Carin

[Guest guest]

YOur OMS is not playing games with you... It is important for you to

see him when needed. I am 2 1/2 hrs from my surgeon. So things he

needed done, the orthodontist did and mailed them to the OMS. Don't

let your husband play mind games that the surgeon is trying to get

more money out of you. They are very busy! Mine operate in the

hospital once a week and also do procedures in their office.

Carin