Re: Distraction is complete!

February 3, 2004

, I'm soooo glad that ordeal is over for you. It sounded just

awful, but at least it's behind you.

I've been sending thought waves in your direction.

I hope your hubby brought you back a bucketful of Felix's crab soup!

Do let us hear when the screws are out -- although I doubt very much

that you look like enstein's monster in the least.

Take care, and let us know. You're a brave lady to go through all

this with so little complaint.

Cammie

> Hello y'all!

> I'm now almost 3 weeks post-op from bilateral TMJ reconstruction

> using distraction osteogenesis. I had an appointment with my

surgeon

> yesterday and he is very happy with my progress. My bite is exactly

> where he wants it now. We don't have to turn the screws anymore

> which was the most painful part of the procedure. I don't have

> elastics right now so he can see where the bite settles. Right now,

> only my front teeth touch so I have a posterior open bite but the

> new bone will compress some. My lower jaw will come back some and

> the open bite will eventually be closed with elastics. I'm so

happy.

> I am hopeful that this will finally be it for me. I still don't

have

> much of an opening (about 15 mm, barely two fingers) but I'll go

> back to physical therapy in a few weeks to improve on that. If all

> continues to go well, the distractors will be removed in 4 to 6

> weeks and I won't look like enstein any more.

> Good luck and happy healing to all those recently post-op.

>

February 3, 2004

Hi Cammie!

Thanks for the thought waves. They're helping already. Thanks also

for reminding me about Felix's. Beau will be in M'gomery until this

weekend so I'll be sure to tell him to bring me back some of that

awesome she crab soup. Yum!

February 3, 2004

Good for you ! I can hardly imagine what it must feel like to

turn those screws, and now it's finally over, I'm so glad. When you

told me about your procedure it sounded like something pretty 'new'

(the technique itself maybe not, but I had never heard that they use

it to regenerate condyles (but what do I know !). I think it's great

it worked for you, you must have a fabulous surgeon.

Good luck on getting all of that machinery of your head as quickly

as possible!

Nathalie

> Hello y'all!

> I'm now almost 3 weeks post-op from bilateral TMJ reconstruction

> using distraction osteogenesis. I had an appointment with my

surgeon

> yesterday and he is very happy with my progress. My bite is

exactly

> where he wants it now. We don't have to turn the screws anymore

> which was the most painful part of the procedure. I don't have

> elastics right now so he can see where the bite settles. Right

now,

> only my front teeth touch so I have a posterior open bite but the

> new bone will compress some. My lower jaw will come back some and

> the open bite will eventually be closed with elastics. I'm so

happy.

> I am hopeful that this will finally be it for me. I still don't

have

> much of an opening (about 15 mm, barely two fingers) but I'll go

> back to physical therapy in a few weeks to improve on that. If all

> continues to go well, the distractors will be removed in 4 to 6

> weeks and I won't look like enstein any more.

> Good luck and happy healing to all those recently post-op.

>

February 3, 2004

Hey ,

Glad to hear you've reached another milestone. Continued healing and

keep us apprised of your progress.

cheers,

on

February 3, 2004

Yes, it is a relatively new procedure and not very many surgeons are

using it, especially to rebuild the condyles. My surgeon actually

worked with the manufacturer to design these particular distractors.

He was very happy with the results and showed me off to his partners

at the last appointment. For me using distraction osteogenesis was a

much better option than artificial joints which tend to last 10-15

years at best. Hopefully since we are using my own tissues, it will

last a lot longer. Good luck with your orthognathic as well!

> > Hello y'all!

> > I'm now almost 3 weeks post-op from bilateral TMJ reconstruction

> > using distraction osteogenesis. I had an appointment with my

> surgeon

> > yesterday and he is very happy with my progress. My bite is

> exactly

> > where he wants it now. We don't have to turn the screws anymore

> > which was the most painful part of the procedure. I don't have

> > elastics right now so he can see where the bite settles. Right

> now,

> > only my front teeth touch so I have a posterior open bite but

the

> > new bone will compress some. My lower jaw will come back some

and

> > the open bite will eventually be closed with elastics. I'm so

> happy.

> > I am hopeful that this will finally be it for me. I still don't

> have

> > much of an opening (about 15 mm, barely two fingers) but I'll go

> > back to physical therapy in a few weeks to improve on that. If

all

> > continues to go well, the distractors will be removed in 4 to 6

> > weeks and I won't look like enstein any more.

> > Good luck and happy healing to all those recently post-op.

> >

February 3, 2004