Should I have the surgery or not?!?!? HELP!

January 27, 2004

Hi everyone. I am sixteen and from Washington, DC and I am trying to

decide whether to get jaw sugery or not. I have a class III jaw and

need my top and bottom jaws moved. A few questions because right now

my mind is bobbeling back and forth about this issue.

How long did your eating problems go on? I LOVE EATING and I really

don't want that to change... hehe. I mean I understand 5-6 weeks but

some people on this site are talking months and years, AHHH.

How much weight did most of you lose? I am 5'5 and 123 lbs, anyone

around my height and weight remember their weight loss experience?

I have a sort of embarrassing question as well... Did the numbness

affect your kissing? Hey! I am a teenager, of course i have to ask

that. I don't think my boyfriend would be very happy if I was

permamntly out of commision and neither would I;-p

And last but not least and most importantly... What was your

experience with nausea and vomiting after the surgery. You see... I

am TERRIFIED about that! I have taken Phenergen before just because i

was a little naseous is how bad I am so is there anything stronger

that the doctor's give you? What is terrible?

Anyways sorry for the frantic first post I hope everyone's jaws and

healing are doing well today even if my mind is mess.

--

January 28, 2004

Whether or not to have surgery is a decision you and your

parents/guardians have to make. I can say that serious problems can

develop over time if a malocclusion is left untreated. My left jaw

joint is arthritic and I've had three procedures directly on the

joint - I'm 26 and the arthritis was diagnosed when I was 24. I can

say from experience that when a joint gets like mine, it's nearly

impossible to bring it back to healthy function. Arthritis is just

one of the things that can happen though. Others have periodontal

problems with their teeth and gums, among a slew of other things that

can happen without the surgery.

The operative word in all this is " can " . There is not guarantee that

those things will happen without the surgery, and to make the waters

even muddier, you could actually develop joint issues as a result of

the surgery, though this is a relatively small risk, as is permanent

numbness.

I'm a newly wed, and the surgery (upper segmentation to widen and 5mm

lower advancement) has not effected kissing for me at all. I did go

for a good six weeks after surgery without kissing my now hubby, but

he gave me plenty of kisses on my cheeks and forehead. I got married

eight months post-op. My surgery was 3/12/03.

After surgery, we all have to ease ourselves back into a normal

diet. The muscles haven't generally done much in the weeks after

surgery, so once fixation is taken out of the picture, it does take

some time to eat some of the more challenging chewables. It really

wasn't a big deal for me.

My doc tells all his patients that they will lost 10 to 15 lbs. in

the first week or two, but the loss levels off after that. That was

true for me. I am no where near your stature, but the 10 to 15 seems

to be a general rule. If you do have the surgery, you will likely

meet with a nutritionist pre-op so you can minimize your weight loss

and find alternative ways to eat some things.

Good luck in making your decision. I'd be happy to answer any

questions I can.

> Hi everyone. I am sixteen and from Washington, DC and I am trying

to

> decide whether to get jaw sugery or not. I have a class III jaw and

> need my top and bottom jaws moved. A few questions because right

now

> my mind is bobbeling back and forth about this issue.

> How long did your eating problems go on? I LOVE EATING and I really

> don't want that to change... hehe. I mean I understand 5-6 weeks

but

> some people on this site are talking months and years, AHHH.

> How much weight did most of you lose? I am 5'5 and 123 lbs, anyone

> around my height and weight remember their weight loss experience?

> I have a sort of embarrassing question as well... Did the numbness

> affect your kissing? Hey! I am a teenager, of course i have to ask

> that. I don't think my boyfriend would be very happy if I was

> permamntly out of commision and neither would I;-p

> And last but not least and most importantly... What was your

> experience with nausea and vomiting after the surgery. You see... I

> am TERRIFIED about that! I have taken Phenergen before just because

i

> was a little naseous is how bad I am so is there anything stronger

> that the doctor's give you? What is terrible?

>

> Anyways sorry for the frantic first post I hope everyone's jaws and

> healing are doing well today even if my mind is mess.

>

> --

January 28, 2004

,

Make absolutely sure that you are done growing before having

surgery. Your doctor can do xrays to determine if you need to wait a

few more years.

As far as nausea goes, they can give you something in the IV to

prevent it. Be sure to discuss this concern with your doc.

Did the docs tell you if you need to have one jaw or both operated

on? This makes a huge difference in your recovery so far as your

concerns about eating (and kissing). If your doc is telling you to

expect that much weight loss, then I assume that you will be wired

shut. This means that you will only be able to eat blended foods or

drink liquids.

Are your parents allowing you to make this decision yourself? Are

you primarily interested for cosmetic, functional reasons or both?

It sounds like you are having pain in your joints which makes me

think that it is a TMJ issue. Make sure that your parents and your

docs are in agreement that your joints are stable (will not

deteriorate further). When surgery is done prematurely you have a

much higher chance of relapse (having your jaw go back to the way it

was before the operation).

In the meantime, try to eat a soft diet to minimize further damage to

your joints and to relieve your pain. Take your time in determining

your options, and get as many consults with oral surgeons and

orthodontists as you can. It is my opinion that you needn't jump

into surgery right away.

Take care,

Cheryl

January 28, 2004

> ,

>

> Make absolutely sure that you are done growing before having

> surgery. Your doctor can do xrays to determine if you need to wait

a

> few more years.

>

> As far as nausea goes, they can give you something in the IV to

> prevent it. Be sure to discuss this concern with your doc.

>

> Did the docs tell you if you need to have one jaw or both operated

> on? This makes a huge difference in your recovery so far as your

> concerns about eating (and kissing). If your doc is telling you to

> expect that much weight loss, then I assume that you will be wired

> shut. This means that you will only be able to eat blended foods

or

> drink liquids.

>

> Are your parents allowing you to make this decision yourself? Are

> you primarily interested for cosmetic, functional reasons or both?

> It sounds like you are having pain in your joints which makes me

> think that it is a TMJ issue. Make sure that your parents and your

> docs are in agreement that your joints are stable (will not

> deteriorate further). When surgery is done prematurely you have a

> much higher chance of relapse (having your jaw go back to the way

it

> was before the operation).

>

I am for sure done growing. We have been discussing the surgery since

I was about 8 years old and apparently this summer is this time to do

it. I am still fixed on the one reason I do not want to get it... the

throwing up part=-/ It's by far my biggest fear and i cannot imagine

putting myself in the situation but if I must, I must.

My doctor does not wire my mouth shut, he just uses the titanium

plates. The doctor wants me to have upper, lower and chin, but I see

no reason for the chin and I am not doing that part.

The reason I am having the surgery is because my orthodontist says

that it will cause more health issues in the future so I should get

it now. Also I do feel some grinding of my teeth in the back from the

wrong postioning of the jaw.

Thanks for helping me guys and all my silly questions=-) I really

need to sort this nausea thing out because my doc says 50% of people

throw up and well that just isn't cutting it for me. =-/

-

January 28, 2004

, listen carefully to Cheryl's advice. She knows her stuff.

There indeed are other drugs you can have beside phenergan -- Gravol

comes to mind. For what it's worth, I didn't need anything, and never

lost -- well, I was gonna say my cookies, but I didn't have any

cookies in me, by the time I went into the OR. You don't eat anything

for about 12 hours before surgery, so if anything does come up, it's

pure liquid. Nothing did, for me.

If you're not wired, no problem. If you are wired, still no problem --

it goes right on out.

If you insist on fixating on this, you may have troubles with it. You

may lose it once or twice -- but hey -- you and your insurance

company are paying people who know how to help you! There are suction

devices to clean up afterward. (no. Not vacuum cleaners. Very

gentle, small plastic tubes -- about the size of a mega-straw that

you'd get in a big shake -- that suck out any possible residue.)

Best time ever in your life to have this happen, if it's a primary

fear. And hey -- you will be out of it, most likely, and not remember

much about it. You will have a soooo much easier time without being

wired.

Your questions are not silly.

But PLEASE, PLEASE, show Cheryl's post to your parents, and either

you do, or better, ask them to insist on an answer from your docs

about the growth issues. You are young to be having these procedures.

Do as you wish about your chin, but know that many patients have

decided to leave that one up to the surgeons in the O.R. It is, I

think, the last procedure they do in the O.R., and sometimes they

think it will be needed to balance your face; other times they decide

against it. You can, of course, also have it done later, if you

decide that's the route you want to go.

C.

> > ,

> >

> > Make absolutely sure that you are done growing before having

> > surgery. Your doctor can do xrays to determine if you need to

wait

> a

> > few more years.

> >

> > As far as nausea goes, they can give you something in the IV to

> > prevent it. Be sure to discuss this concern with your doc.

> >

> > Did the docs tell you if you need to have one jaw or both

operated

> > on? This makes a huge difference in your recovery so far as your

> > concerns about eating (and kissing). If your doc is telling you

to

> > expect that much weight loss, then I assume that you will be

wired

> > shut. This means that you will only be able to eat blended foods

> or

> > drink liquids.

> >

> > Are your parents allowing you to make this decision yourself?

Are

> > you primarily interested for cosmetic, functional reasons or

both?

> > It sounds like you are having pain in your joints which makes me

> > think that it is a TMJ issue. Make sure that your parents and

your

> > docs are in agreement that your joints are stable (will not

> > deteriorate further). When surgery is done prematurely you have

a

> > much higher chance of relapse (having your jaw go back to the way

> it

> > was before the operation).

> >

>

> I am for sure done growing. We have been discussing the surgery

since

> I was about 8 years old and apparently this summer is this time to

do

> it. I am still fixed on the one reason I do not want to get it...

the

> throwing up part=-/ It's by far my biggest fear and i cannot

imagine

> putting myself in the situation but if I must, I must.

> My doctor does not wire my mouth shut, he just uses the titanium

> plates. The doctor wants me to have upper, lower and chin, but I

see

> no reason for the chin and I am not doing that part.

> The reason I am having the surgery is because my orthodontist says

> that it will cause more health issues in the future so I should get

> it now. Also I do feel some grinding of my teeth in the back from

the

> wrong postioning of the jaw.

> Thanks for helping me guys and all my silly questions=-) I really

> need to sort this nausea thing out because my doc says 50% of

people

> throw up and well that just isn't cutting it for me. =-/

>

> -

January 28, 2004

And one more thought -- Do you let your fear of nausea and vomiting

slow you down in the least from a stadium hot dog, a quick food

hamburger, or some fast Tex-Mex food???? All have left me,

occasionally, abject in worship of " the throne. "

;!)

Cammie

January 29, 2004

,

My doc performed arthroscopic surgery on my left TMJ about two years

before my upper and lower surgery. I remember retching after waking

up from that first procedure, so I make sure to have a talk with my

doc about nausea before surgery. I don't know what they gave me to

keep the nausea away, but it worked. I never vomited during the six

weeks I spent splinted and banded.

> > ,

> >

> > Make absolutely sure that you are done growing before having

> > surgery. Your doctor can do xrays to determine if you need to

wait

> a

> > few more years.

> >

> > As far as nausea goes, they can give you something in the IV to

> > prevent it. Be sure to discuss this concern with your doc.

> >

> > Did the docs tell you if you need to have one jaw or both

operated

> > on? This makes a huge difference in your recovery so far as your

> > concerns about eating (and kissing). If your doc is telling you

to

> > expect that much weight loss, then I assume that you will be

wired

> > shut. This means that you will only be able to eat blended foods

> or

> > drink liquids.

> >

> > Are your parents allowing you to make this decision yourself?

Are

> > you primarily interested for cosmetic, functional reasons or

both?

> > It sounds like you are having pain in your joints which makes me

> > think that it is a TMJ issue. Make sure that your parents and

your

> > docs are in agreement that your joints are stable (will not

> > deteriorate further). When surgery is done prematurely you have

a

> > much higher chance of relapse (having your jaw go back to the way

> it

> > was before the operation).

> >

>

> I am for sure done growing. We have been discussing the surgery

since

> I was about 8 years old and apparently this summer is this time to

do

> it. I am still fixed on the one reason I do not want to get it...

the

> throwing up part=-/ It's by far my biggest fear and i cannot

imagine

> putting myself in the situation but if I must, I must.

> My doctor does not wire my mouth shut, he just uses the titanium

> plates. The doctor wants me to have upper, lower and chin, but I

see

> no reason for the chin and I am not doing that part.

> The reason I am having the surgery is because my orthodontist says

> that it will cause more health issues in the future so I should get

> it now. Also I do feel some grinding of my teeth in the back from

the

> wrong postioning of the jaw.

> Thanks for helping me guys and all my silly questions=-) I really

> need to sort this nausea thing out because my doc says 50% of

people

> throw up and well that just isn't cutting it for me. =-/

>

> -

January 29, 2004

,

My doc performed arthroscopic surgery on my left TMJ about two years

before my upper and lower surgery. I remember retching after waking

up from that first procedure, so I make sure to have a talk with my

doc about nausea before surgery. I don't know what they gave me to

keep the nausea away, but it worked. I never vomited during the six

weeks I spent splinted and banded.

> > ,

> >

> > Make absolutely sure that you are done growing before having

> > surgery. Your doctor can do xrays to determine if you need to

wait

> a

> > few more years.

> >

> > As far as nausea goes, they can give you something in the IV to

> > prevent it. Be sure to discuss this concern with your doc.

> >

> > Did the docs tell you if you need to have one jaw or both

operated

> > on? This makes a huge difference in your recovery so far as your

> > concerns about eating (and kissing). If your doc is telling you

to

> > expect that much weight loss, then I assume that you will be

wired

> > shut. This means that you will only be able to eat blended foods

> or

> > drink liquids.

> >

> > Are your parents allowing you to make this decision yourself?

Are

> > you primarily interested for cosmetic, functional reasons or

both?

> > It sounds like you are having pain in your joints which makes me

> > think that it is a TMJ issue. Make sure that your parents and

your

> > docs are in agreement that your joints are stable (will not

> > deteriorate further). When surgery is done prematurely you have

a

> > much higher chance of relapse (having your jaw go back to the way

> it

> > was before the operation).

> >

>

> I am for sure done growing. We have been discussing the surgery

since

> I was about 8 years old and apparently this summer is this time to

do

> it. I am still fixed on the one reason I do not want to get it...

the

> throwing up part=-/ It's by far my biggest fear and i cannot

imagine

> putting myself in the situation but if I must, I must.

> My doctor does not wire my mouth shut, he just uses the titanium

> plates. The doctor wants me to have upper, lower and chin, but I

see

> no reason for the chin and I am not doing that part.

> The reason I am having the surgery is because my orthodontist says

> that it will cause more health issues in the future so I should get

> it now. Also I do feel some grinding of my teeth in the back from

the

> wrong postioning of the jaw.

> Thanks for helping me guys and all my silly questions=-) I really

> need to sort this nausea thing out because my doc says 50% of

people

> throw up and well that just isn't cutting it for me. =-/

>

> -

January 29, 2004

> And one more thought -- Do you let your fear of nausea and vomiting

> slow you down in the least from a stadium hot dog, a quick food

> hamburger, or some fast Tex-Mex food???? All have left me,

> occasionally, abject in worship of " the throne. "

>

> ;!)

>

> Cammie

You wish I would say no to those right? But unfortunatly I don't eat

the first two and the third only in small quantities and I usually

take pepto bismol as well. *sigh* It's an awful fear... then again

what fear isn't?

January 29, 2004

> And one more thought -- Do you let your fear of nausea and vomiting

> slow you down in the least from a stadium hot dog, a quick food

> hamburger, or some fast Tex-Mex food???? All have left me,

> occasionally, abject in worship of " the throne. "

>

> ;!)

>

> Cammie

You wish I would say no to those right? But unfortunatly I don't eat

the first two and the third only in small quantities and I usually

take pepto bismol as well. *sigh* It's an awful fear... then again

what fear isn't?

January 29, 2004

There indeed are other drugs you can have beside phenergan -- Gravol

> comes to mind. For what it's worth, I didn't need anything, and

never

> lost -- well, I was gonna say my cookies, but I didn't have any

> cookies in me, by the time I went into the OR. You don't eat

anything

> for about 12 hours before surgery, so if anything does come up,

it's

> pure liquid. Nothing did, for me.

>

> If you're not wired, no problem. If you are wired, still no

problem --

> it goes right on out.

>

> If you insist on fixating on this, you may have troubles with it.

You

> may lose it once or twice -- but hey -- you and your insurance

> company are paying people who know how to help you! There are

suction

> devices to clean up afterward. (no. Not vacuum cleaners. Very

> gentle, small plastic tubes -- about the size of a mega-straw that

> you'd get in a big shake -- that suck out any possible residue.)

Yeah I am thinking it's a very bad idea for me to get the surgery

because it's going to instead of helping me make my life very

miserable. Even just reading this is making me want to sign offline

and go take come Pepto Bismol.

But PLEASE, PLEASE, show Cheryl's post to your parents, and either

> you do, or better, ask them to insist on an answer from your docs

> about the growth issues. You are young to be having these

procedures.

My Mom and I are doing this together but I just happen to have a

yahoo name and she doesn't. The real reason she wants me to read this

is to see about the throwing up stuff, she shares my fear as well and

doesn't want me to get it if it's going to be an issue. I guess I am

lucky that she understands. Oh there is no growth issue what so ever.

I have gotten 6 opinions on my jaw... maybe more. The surgery can be

done anytime now to the end of college according to the surgeron and

everyone else agrees. My mom is very paranoid and has taken me to

every single darn doctor in DC and is now taking me to Baltimore and

Boston as well. AYAYAY! SAVVVE ME! Hehe=-)

Thanks for all the replies guys.

--

January 29, 2004