Re: Completed my evaluation appointment

[Guest guest]

WElll, idyllic is expecting a bit much, I think, Kris. But my

recovery, from lower only, was nowhere near the ordeal that many

folks have had.

I had no numbness. I had little swelling. I had a lot of bruising,

but who cares? That goes away.

If you don't need the wiring, I think, that makes everything much

easier. If you don't have to be tightly banded, that's even better.

But as has been pointed out, sometimes what the docs find once they

get inside can cause a different decision.

I'll hope for idylls for you, but I'll hope you'll be happy with an

experience somewhat better than many folks have reported.

Cammie

> I'm with on this. My OS told me it's a 2-week recovery with

6

> weeks of limited diet for an upper and lower. He uses the

> dissolvable polymer plates. When people ask me what it's going to

be

> like for me when I have the surgery, I say that the surgeon says

one

> thing, but the people on line have a totally different story. I'd

> like to think my OS so good and so cutting-edge that my recovery

> really will be as easy as he says. I have a suspicion that reality

is

> not going to be so idyllic.

>

> Kris

[Guest guest]

WElll, idyllic is expecting a bit much, I think, Kris. But my

recovery, from lower only, was nowhere near the ordeal that many

folks have had.

I had no numbness. I had little swelling. I had a lot of bruising,

but who cares? That goes away.

If you don't need the wiring, I think, that makes everything much

easier. If you don't have to be tightly banded, that's even better.

But as has been pointed out, sometimes what the docs find once they

get inside can cause a different decision.

I'll hope for idylls for you, but I'll hope you'll be happy with an

experience somewhat better than many folks have reported.

Cammie

> I'm with on this. My OS told me it's a 2-week recovery with

6

> weeks of limited diet for an upper and lower. He uses the

> dissolvable polymer plates. When people ask me what it's going to

be

> like for me when I have the surgery, I say that the surgeon says

one

> thing, but the people on line have a totally different story. I'd

> like to think my OS so good and so cutting-edge that my recovery

> really will be as easy as he says. I have a suspicion that reality

is

> not going to be so idyllic.

>

> Kris

[Guest guest]

,

I have to agree with Smooches..... Especially with the tinglies in

the lower lip and chin. I had upper and lower done on November 5 and

we are in the same way recovery wise.

My surgeon also used rigid fixation. I have the titanium plates and

screws... saw them in x-rays really cool. I was banded shut for 5

weeks after surgery to keep things rigid. In fact, Dr. Orentlicher

still has me on a non chew diet! He doesn't want any pressure on the

jaws at all... I am banned from the gym still and not able to do

grocery shopping or vacuuming. I am trying to take on more housework

duties since hubby is back working 6 10 hr shifts a day but not going

against the doctor's orders either! In the gym note Dr. O specified

a minimum of 3 months until I can resume normal activity.

By the way , are you having upper and lower done or either one?

Smooches,

My grandchildren also wore me out before surgery too! Oldest one is

2 1/2 on Friday... And they still wear me out except they do it

faster (wear me out) and I am keeping them away from my face since we

don't want any kind of impact to the face yet.

I am able to open my mouth 40mm with doing the jaw exercises. Don't

you just love those sticks? I don't feel like the inside of my mouth

swells up when I non chew my food aka eat. Perhaps the food is too

warm for the inner cheeks? Grasping at straws on this one since the

inside of my mouth doesn't feel swollen. I do have the residual

swelling that you do and we both know it will take time for that to

go down. And your pictures do look good. I should take the time and

put mine up as well.

Be good....

Carin

[Guest guest]

Thanx, Carin.

I'm thinking maybe it's the chewing itself since you're not chewing yet and

you don't have the problem (I'm only 6 days ahead of you). The swelling happens

with hot or cold or lukewarm food. It doesn't, however, happen with ice cream

or pudding - I don't chew either of those.

Oh well, I don't know. Thanx for your encouragement and I can't wait to see

your pictures.

Happy healing,

Smooches

Re: Completed my evaluation

appointment

,

I have to agree with Smooches..... Especially with the tinglies in

the lower lip and chin. I had upper and lower done on November 5 and

we are in the same way recovery wise.

My surgeon also used rigid fixation. I have the titanium plates and

screws... saw them in x-rays really cool. I was banded shut for 5

weeks after surgery to keep things rigid. In fact, Dr. Orentlicher

still has me on a non chew diet! He doesn't want any pressure on the

jaws at all... I am banned from the gym still and not able to do

grocery shopping or vacuuming. I am trying to take on more housework

duties since hubby is back working 6 10 hr shifts a day but not going

against the doctor's orders either! In the gym note Dr. O specified

a minimum of 3 months until I can resume normal activity.

By the way , are you having upper and lower done or either one?

Smooches,

My grandchildren also wore me out before surgery too! Oldest one is

2 1/2 on Friday... And they still wear me out except they do it

faster (wear me out) and I am keeping them away from my face since we

don't want any kind of impact to the face yet.

I am able to open my mouth 40mm with doing the jaw exercises. Don't

you just love those sticks? I don't feel like the inside of my mouth

swells up when I non chew my food aka eat. Perhaps the food is too

warm for the inner cheeks? Grasping at straws on this one since the

inside of my mouth doesn't feel swollen. I do have the residual

swelling that you do and we both know it will take time for that to

go down. And your pictures do look good. I should take the time and

put mine up as well.

Be good....

Carin

[Guest guest]

Thanx, Carin.

I'm thinking maybe it's the chewing itself since you're not chewing yet and

you don't have the problem (I'm only 6 days ahead of you). The swelling happens

with hot or cold or lukewarm food. It doesn't, however, happen with ice cream

or pudding - I don't chew either of those.

Oh well, I don't know. Thanx for your encouragement and I can't wait to see

your pictures.

Happy healing,

Smooches

Re: Completed my evaluation

appointment

,

I have to agree with Smooches..... Especially with the tinglies in

the lower lip and chin. I had upper and lower done on November 5 and

we are in the same way recovery wise.

My surgeon also used rigid fixation. I have the titanium plates and

screws... saw them in x-rays really cool. I was banded shut for 5

weeks after surgery to keep things rigid. In fact, Dr. Orentlicher

still has me on a non chew diet! He doesn't want any pressure on the

jaws at all... I am banned from the gym still and not able to do

grocery shopping or vacuuming. I am trying to take on more housework

duties since hubby is back working 6 10 hr shifts a day but not going

against the doctor's orders either! In the gym note Dr. O specified

a minimum of 3 months until I can resume normal activity.

By the way , are you having upper and lower done or either one?

Smooches,

My grandchildren also wore me out before surgery too! Oldest one is

2 1/2 on Friday... And they still wear me out except they do it

faster (wear me out) and I am keeping them away from my face since we

don't want any kind of impact to the face yet.

I am able to open my mouth 40mm with doing the jaw exercises. Don't

you just love those sticks? I don't feel like the inside of my mouth

swells up when I non chew my food aka eat. Perhaps the food is too

warm for the inner cheeks? Grasping at straws on this one since the

inside of my mouth doesn't feel swollen. I do have the residual

swelling that you do and we both know it will take time for that to

go down. And your pictures do look good. I should take the time and

put mine up as well.

Be good....

Carin

[Guest guest]

There are not many people who are able to have the surgery without

having braces for a significant time before and after. Some do, but

then arch bars are generally used. (These are metal bars that are

fastened low on the teeth and are used for wiring or banding post op.)

Banding is two different things in this world. One is putting the

molar bands on -- those metal bands around the back teeth. Unless

there's a particular problem, the rest of the brackets are generally

cemented right to the teeth, and that sometimes is done even with the

molars.

Many if not most of us have had braces once or twice before,

sometimes more.

Banding is also using elastics, regular orthodontic elastics, between

the jaws to help stabilize them post op. Some docs do this very

tightly and close the jaws. Some docs do it loosely or not at all.

Most but not all of us have splints wired in, at least to the upper

brace. The arch bars also provide an anchor there, I think.

Whether they wire the jaw shut has less to do with whether you have

braces than with your own surgeon's approaches, and what happens.

If you are resolute about not wanting braces, enough to give up the

surgery -- just be sure, before you sign up that your surgeon will

agree. I don't think most would, most of the time. Maybe you will be

the exception.

And nope. Some surgeons are plastic surgeons, some are oral and

maxillofacial surgeons, and probably there are other specialties, as

well.

Cammie

> Everyone talks about 'banding' is this something that

> is done with braces? I'm 25 and had braces years ago

> and don't foresee myself having them on at the time of

> surgery. Would they then have to 'wire' my jaw

> closed? The surgeon mentioned the possibility that I

> would want braces again because it will be difficult

> getting my teeth to line up correctly otherwise.

>

> Braces suck....don't want them again.

>

>

> Looks like I will have to wait until next year to get

> the surgery. My work allows you to put aside pre-tax

> dollars for medical expenses and I didn't put aside

> enough this year. Looks like my insurance will cover

> 80% of the surgery with a maximum out-of-pocket (for

> me) of $1,800. I would rather pay the $1,800 pre-tax

> than have to pay it after tax (obviously).

>

> Another thing that struck me as strange was the fact

> that my surgeon also does rhinoplasty, face-lifts,

> etc. Is this normal?

>

[Guest guest]

There are not many people who are able to have the surgery without

having braces for a significant time before and after. Some do, but

then arch bars are generally used. (These are metal bars that are

fastened low on the teeth and are used for wiring or banding post op.)

Banding is two different things in this world. One is putting the

molar bands on -- those metal bands around the back teeth. Unless

there's a particular problem, the rest of the brackets are generally

cemented right to the teeth, and that sometimes is done even with the

molars.

Many if not most of us have had braces once or twice before,

sometimes more.

Banding is also using elastics, regular orthodontic elastics, between

the jaws to help stabilize them post op. Some docs do this very

tightly and close the jaws. Some docs do it loosely or not at all.

Most but not all of us have splints wired in, at least to the upper

brace. The arch bars also provide an anchor there, I think.

Whether they wire the jaw shut has less to do with whether you have

braces than with your own surgeon's approaches, and what happens.

If you are resolute about not wanting braces, enough to give up the

surgery -- just be sure, before you sign up that your surgeon will

agree. I don't think most would, most of the time. Maybe you will be

the exception.

And nope. Some surgeons are plastic surgeons, some are oral and

maxillofacial surgeons, and probably there are other specialties, as

well.

Cammie

> Everyone talks about 'banding' is this something that

> is done with braces? I'm 25 and had braces years ago

> and don't foresee myself having them on at the time of

> surgery. Would they then have to 'wire' my jaw

> closed? The surgeon mentioned the possibility that I

> would want braces again because it will be difficult

> getting my teeth to line up correctly otherwise.

>

> Braces suck....don't want them again.

>

>

> Looks like I will have to wait until next year to get

> the surgery. My work allows you to put aside pre-tax

> dollars for medical expenses and I didn't put aside

> enough this year. Looks like my insurance will cover

> 80% of the surgery with a maximum out-of-pocket (for

> me) of $1,800. I would rather pay the $1,800 pre-tax

> than have to pay it after tax (obviously).

>

> Another thing that struck me as strange was the fact

> that my surgeon also does rhinoplasty, face-lifts,

> etc. Is this normal?

>

[Guest guest]

There are not many people who are able to have the surgery without

having braces for a significant time before and after. Some do, but

then arch bars are generally used. (These are metal bars that are

fastened low on the teeth and are used for wiring or banding post op.)

Banding is two different things in this world. One is putting the

molar bands on -- those metal bands around the back teeth. Unless

there's a particular problem, the rest of the brackets are generally

cemented right to the teeth, and that sometimes is done even with the

molars.

Many if not most of us have had braces once or twice before,

sometimes more.

Banding is also using elastics, regular orthodontic elastics, between

the jaws to help stabilize them post op. Some docs do this very

tightly and close the jaws. Some docs do it loosely or not at all.

Most but not all of us have splints wired in, at least to the upper

brace. The arch bars also provide an anchor there, I think.

Whether they wire the jaw shut has less to do with whether you have

braces than with your own surgeon's approaches, and what happens.

If you are resolute about not wanting braces, enough to give up the

surgery -- just be sure, before you sign up that your surgeon will

agree. I don't think most would, most of the time. Maybe you will be

the exception.

And nope. Some surgeons are plastic surgeons, some are oral and

maxillofacial surgeons, and probably there are other specialties, as

well.

Cammie

> Everyone talks about 'banding' is this something that

> is done with braces? I'm 25 and had braces years ago

> and don't foresee myself having them on at the time of

> surgery. Would they then have to 'wire' my jaw

> closed? The surgeon mentioned the possibility that I

> would want braces again because it will be difficult

> getting my teeth to line up correctly otherwise.

>

> Braces suck....don't want them again.

>

>

> Looks like I will have to wait until next year to get

> the surgery. My work allows you to put aside pre-tax

> dollars for medical expenses and I didn't put aside

> enough this year. Looks like my insurance will cover

> 80% of the surgery with a maximum out-of-pocket (for

> me) of $1,800. I would rather pay the $1,800 pre-tax

> than have to pay it after tax (obviously).

>

> Another thing that struck me as strange was the fact

> that my surgeon also does rhinoplasty, face-lifts,

> etc. Is this normal?

>

[Guest guest]

-

Did you see a plastic surgeon or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?

My neighbor had a plastic surgeon do his surgery and the doc

shattered his jaw bones because he didn't recognize that the bone

was not stable enough to proceed with the cut that he was doing and

now after a few years he is having it done again in February because

of relapse and the complications during surgery. He said that he

regretted his decision he made with the surgeons and didn't do his

research prior to. Just giving you the worse case scenario. My

surgeon had to change his game plan in the operating room because my

bones like my neighbors were not able to handle the cut that he

wanted to do, but luckily he recognized it because this is really

all he does and specializes in - in fact last visit I had he had 3

fractured jaws to fix after office hours were over.

Your surgeon should want you to have braces on - 2 of the 3 I saw

prior to surgery insisted and they refused to do surgery unless my

teeth were completely straight and lined up (as well as my arches

being in place). I had to keep going to the orthro for adjustments

because after the surgeon practiced on the molds things just weren't

quite right enough.

Banding is done either instead of wiring or right after you are

wired. Each surgeon prefers one to another, but it seems that most

nowadays choose to band (with elastics) instead. I was wired for 4

weeks and then banded - so lucky me I got to try out both.

> Everyone talks about 'banding' is this something that

> is done with braces? I'm 25 and had braces years ago

> and don't foresee myself having them on at the time of

> surgery. Would they then have to 'wire' my jaw

> closed? The surgeon mentioned the possibility that I

> would want braces again because it will be difficult

> getting my teeth to line up correctly otherwise.

>

> Braces suck....don't want them again.

>

>

> Looks like I will have to wait until next year to get

> the surgery. My work allows you to put aside pre-tax

> dollars for medical expenses and I didn't put aside

> enough this year. Looks like my insurance will cover

> 80% of the surgery with a maximum out-of-pocket (for

> me) of $1,800. I would rather pay the $1,800 pre-tax

> than have to pay it after tax (obviously).

>

> Another thing that struck me as strange was the fact

> that my surgeon also does rhinoplasty, face-lifts,

> etc. Is this normal?

>

>

[Guest guest]

-

Did you see a plastic surgeon or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?

My neighbor had a plastic surgeon do his surgery and the doc

shattered his jaw bones because he didn't recognize that the bone

was not stable enough to proceed with the cut that he was doing and

now after a few years he is having it done again in February because

of relapse and the complications during surgery. He said that he

regretted his decision he made with the surgeons and didn't do his

research prior to. Just giving you the worse case scenario. My

surgeon had to change his game plan in the operating room because my

bones like my neighbors were not able to handle the cut that he

wanted to do, but luckily he recognized it because this is really

all he does and specializes in - in fact last visit I had he had 3

fractured jaws to fix after office hours were over.

Your surgeon should want you to have braces on - 2 of the 3 I saw

prior to surgery insisted and they refused to do surgery unless my

teeth were completely straight and lined up (as well as my arches

being in place). I had to keep going to the orthro for adjustments

because after the surgeon practiced on the molds things just weren't

quite right enough.

Banding is done either instead of wiring or right after you are

wired. Each surgeon prefers one to another, but it seems that most

nowadays choose to band (with elastics) instead. I was wired for 4

weeks and then banded - so lucky me I got to try out both.

> Everyone talks about 'banding' is this something that

> is done with braces? I'm 25 and had braces years ago

> and don't foresee myself having them on at the time of

> surgery. Would they then have to 'wire' my jaw

> closed? The surgeon mentioned the possibility that I

> would want braces again because it will be difficult

> getting my teeth to line up correctly otherwise.

>

> Braces suck....don't want them again.

>

>

> Looks like I will have to wait until next year to get

> the surgery. My work allows you to put aside pre-tax

> dollars for medical expenses and I didn't put aside

> enough this year. Looks like my insurance will cover

> 80% of the surgery with a maximum out-of-pocket (for

> me) of $1,800. I would rather pay the $1,800 pre-tax

> than have to pay it after tax (obviously).

>

> Another thing that struck me as strange was the fact

> that my surgeon also does rhinoplasty, face-lifts,

> etc. Is this normal?

>

>

[Guest guest]

-

Did you see a plastic surgeon or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?

My neighbor had a plastic surgeon do his surgery and the doc

shattered his jaw bones because he didn't recognize that the bone

was not stable enough to proceed with the cut that he was doing and

now after a few years he is having it done again in February because

of relapse and the complications during surgery. He said that he

regretted his decision he made with the surgeons and didn't do his

research prior to. Just giving you the worse case scenario. My

surgeon had to change his game plan in the operating room because my

bones like my neighbors were not able to handle the cut that he

wanted to do, but luckily he recognized it because this is really

all he does and specializes in - in fact last visit I had he had 3

fractured jaws to fix after office hours were over.

Your surgeon should want you to have braces on - 2 of the 3 I saw

prior to surgery insisted and they refused to do surgery unless my

teeth were completely straight and lined up (as well as my arches

being in place). I had to keep going to the orthro for adjustments

because after the surgeon practiced on the molds things just weren't

quite right enough.

Banding is done either instead of wiring or right after you are

wired. Each surgeon prefers one to another, but it seems that most

nowadays choose to band (with elastics) instead. I was wired for 4

weeks and then banded - so lucky me I got to try out both.

> Everyone talks about 'banding' is this something that

> is done with braces? I'm 25 and had braces years ago

> and don't foresee myself having them on at the time of

> surgery. Would they then have to 'wire' my jaw

> closed? The surgeon mentioned the possibility that I

> would want braces again because it will be difficult

> getting my teeth to line up correctly otherwise.

>

> Braces suck....don't want them again.

>

>

> Looks like I will have to wait until next year to get

> the surgery. My work allows you to put aside pre-tax

> dollars for medical expenses and I didn't put aside

> enough this year. Looks like my insurance will cover

> 80% of the surgery with a maximum out-of-pocket (for

> me) of $1,800. I would rather pay the $1,800 pre-tax

> than have to pay it after tax (obviously).

>

> Another thing that struck me as strange was the fact

> that my surgeon also does rhinoplasty, face-lifts,

> etc. Is this normal?

>

>