Re: Still Researching.....Dr's in Houston ...and Q's to Cammie, Fiddlesticks

[Guest guest]

Virginia,

I'm not quite Cammie or , but I can speak to the numbness

issue. I had my surgery (upper segmentation, lower advancement)

last March 12 when I was 25 years old. Now, nearly a year later, I

do have some altered sensation and numb spots. However, up until a

couple weeks ago, I didn't know about the numb spots. Let me

explain: the altered sensation is similar to Fiddlestick's.

For the segmentation to widen my upper, my top front four teeth were

one of the four segments made. Those teeth now feel sort of

spongy. That might sound bad, but it really doesn't bother me. I

just notice the difference between before an after surgery, so for

me to claim that I've regained all normal sensation wouldn't be

accurate on my part. As for the numb spots, well, those too are in

my upper. I had no idea they were numb until I was flossing a few

weeks ago. Something prompted me to run my finger over a section of

my gums on the right side and it wasn't until I did that that I

realized I didn't have any feeling there. So, even though I still

have some numbness, it can't be that bad if I didn't even know it

was there!

When I woke up from my surgery, I was numb from the tip of my nose

through my chin. For me, the numbness was a blessing as it meant I

really didn't have any pain as a result of the surgery. So, while

some do end up with distracting numbness, I'd bet that the majority

of those who do not regain full, normal sensation end up somewhat

like me. And even at that, nerves are funky things. My doc says I

may yet regain the feeling, but even if I don't, it doesn't prevent

me from doing things I want to do.

Hope that helps.

> Hi Again,

>

> ...its been a couple weeks since I posted last. Yesterday I had my

> bottom braces put on.....my ortho is still recommending surgery.

I'm

> still really scared. After reading Andy's postings, I'm even more

> worried, as my surgery is meant to help my TMJ. Sounds like not

only

> did the surgery cause Andy's TMJ to be worse, but he is also

> suffering from permanent numbness.

>

> But, I am still researching. I read that IrishSmiles, after a

year

> or more post op, has numbness that hasn't gone away. I read that

> fiddlesticks calls her's an " altered sensation " . This information

> really scares me, because it sounds to me like there is alot of

> people with some sort of permanent numbness/sensation issues even

> after long-term post op...especially people who have had the

surgery

> done at an older age....over 40. Cammie, it appears you are an

> exception, and I'm happy it's been good for you. I have read some

> success stories, but alot of them seem to be younger. Am I wrong

on

> this? Does age appear to be affecting people's full recovery.

> Comments are welcome.

>

> My other question. Has anyone heard of Dr. Terry D. in

> Houston. He is recommended for my surgery, and I'm hoping someone

> has heard of him, alternatively, does anyone have suggestions for

> maxillofacial surgeons in Houston.

>

> Thanks so much for everyone's replies.

>

> Virginia

[Guest guest]

Virginia,

I'm not quite Cammie or , but I can speak to the numbness

issue. I had my surgery (upper segmentation, lower advancement)

last March 12 when I was 25 years old. Now, nearly a year later, I

do have some altered sensation and numb spots. However, up until a

couple weeks ago, I didn't know about the numb spots. Let me

explain: the altered sensation is similar to Fiddlestick's.

For the segmentation to widen my upper, my top front four teeth were

one of the four segments made. Those teeth now feel sort of

spongy. That might sound bad, but it really doesn't bother me. I

just notice the difference between before an after surgery, so for

me to claim that I've regained all normal sensation wouldn't be

accurate on my part. As for the numb spots, well, those too are in

my upper. I had no idea they were numb until I was flossing a few

weeks ago. Something prompted me to run my finger over a section of

my gums on the right side and it wasn't until I did that that I

realized I didn't have any feeling there. So, even though I still

have some numbness, it can't be that bad if I didn't even know it

was there!

When I woke up from my surgery, I was numb from the tip of my nose

through my chin. For me, the numbness was a blessing as it meant I

really didn't have any pain as a result of the surgery. So, while

some do end up with distracting numbness, I'd bet that the majority

of those who do not regain full, normal sensation end up somewhat

like me. And even at that, nerves are funky things. My doc says I

may yet regain the feeling, but even if I don't, it doesn't prevent

me from doing things I want to do.

Hope that helps.

> Hi Again,

>

> ...its been a couple weeks since I posted last. Yesterday I had my

> bottom braces put on.....my ortho is still recommending surgery.

I'm

> still really scared. After reading Andy's postings, I'm even more

> worried, as my surgery is meant to help my TMJ. Sounds like not

only

> did the surgery cause Andy's TMJ to be worse, but he is also

> suffering from permanent numbness.

>

> But, I am still researching. I read that IrishSmiles, after a

year

> or more post op, has numbness that hasn't gone away. I read that

> fiddlesticks calls her's an " altered sensation " . This information

> really scares me, because it sounds to me like there is alot of

> people with some sort of permanent numbness/sensation issues even

> after long-term post op...especially people who have had the

surgery

> done at an older age....over 40. Cammie, it appears you are an

> exception, and I'm happy it's been good for you. I have read some

> success stories, but alot of them seem to be younger. Am I wrong

on

> this? Does age appear to be affecting people's full recovery.

> Comments are welcome.

>

> My other question. Has anyone heard of Dr. Terry D. in

> Houston. He is recommended for my surgery, and I'm hoping someone

> has heard of him, alternatively, does anyone have suggestions for

> maxillofacial surgeons in Houston.

>

> Thanks so much for everyone's replies.

>

> Virginia

[Guest guest]

Virginia,

I'm not quite Cammie or , but I can speak to the numbness

issue. I had my surgery (upper segmentation, lower advancement)

last March 12 when I was 25 years old. Now, nearly a year later, I

do have some altered sensation and numb spots. However, up until a

couple weeks ago, I didn't know about the numb spots. Let me

explain: the altered sensation is similar to Fiddlestick's.

For the segmentation to widen my upper, my top front four teeth were

one of the four segments made. Those teeth now feel sort of

spongy. That might sound bad, but it really doesn't bother me. I

just notice the difference between before an after surgery, so for

me to claim that I've regained all normal sensation wouldn't be

accurate on my part. As for the numb spots, well, those too are in

my upper. I had no idea they were numb until I was flossing a few

weeks ago. Something prompted me to run my finger over a section of

my gums on the right side and it wasn't until I did that that I

realized I didn't have any feeling there. So, even though I still

have some numbness, it can't be that bad if I didn't even know it

was there!

When I woke up from my surgery, I was numb from the tip of my nose

through my chin. For me, the numbness was a blessing as it meant I

really didn't have any pain as a result of the surgery. So, while

some do end up with distracting numbness, I'd bet that the majority

of those who do not regain full, normal sensation end up somewhat

like me. And even at that, nerves are funky things. My doc says I

may yet regain the feeling, but even if I don't, it doesn't prevent

me from doing things I want to do.

Hope that helps.

> Hi Again,

>

> ...its been a couple weeks since I posted last. Yesterday I had my

> bottom braces put on.....my ortho is still recommending surgery.

I'm

> still really scared. After reading Andy's postings, I'm even more

> worried, as my surgery is meant to help my TMJ. Sounds like not

only

> did the surgery cause Andy's TMJ to be worse, but he is also

> suffering from permanent numbness.

>

> But, I am still researching. I read that IrishSmiles, after a

year

> or more post op, has numbness that hasn't gone away. I read that

> fiddlesticks calls her's an " altered sensation " . This information

> really scares me, because it sounds to me like there is alot of

> people with some sort of permanent numbness/sensation issues even

> after long-term post op...especially people who have had the

surgery

> done at an older age....over 40. Cammie, it appears you are an

> exception, and I'm happy it's been good for you. I have read some

> success stories, but alot of them seem to be younger. Am I wrong

on

> this? Does age appear to be affecting people's full recovery.

> Comments are welcome.

>

> My other question. Has anyone heard of Dr. Terry D. in

> Houston. He is recommended for my surgery, and I'm hoping someone

> has heard of him, alternatively, does anyone have suggestions for

> maxillofacial surgeons in Houston.

>

> Thanks so much for everyone's replies.

>

> Virginia

[Guest guest]

You should certainly consider the risks carefully. And I doubt that

anybody's gonna promise you one specific outcome or the other, except

to say that your jaw can be made shorter or longer...

I think that my age made my recovery take longer. Clearly it did not

make things more difficult, except that I was very weary for a longer

time than many of the young chicks.

Good wishes to you, whatever you decide.

Cammie

> Hi Again,

>

> ...its been a couple weeks since I posted last. Yesterday I had my

> bottom braces put on.....my ortho is still recommending surgery.

I'm

> still really scared. After reading Andy's postings, I'm even more

> worried, as my surgery is meant to help my TMJ. Sounds like not

only

> did the surgery cause Andy's TMJ to be worse, but he is also

> suffering from permanent numbness.

>

> But, I am still researching. I read that IrishSmiles, after a year

> or more post op, has numbness that hasn't gone away. I read that

> fiddlesticks calls her's an " altered sensation " . This information

> really scares me, because it sounds to me like there is alot of

> people with some sort of permanent numbness/sensation issues even

> after long-term post op...especially people who have had the

surgery

> done at an older age....over 40. Cammie, it appears you are an

> exception, and I'm happy it's been good for you. I have read some

> success stories, but alot of them seem to be younger. Am I wrong

on

> this? Does age appear to be affecting people's full recovery.

> Comments are welcome.

>

> My other question. Has anyone heard of Dr. Terry D. in

> Houston. He is recommended for my surgery, and I'm hoping someone

> has heard of him, alternatively, does anyone have suggestions for

> maxillofacial surgeons in Houston.

>

> Thanks so much for everyone's replies.

>

> Virginia

[Guest guest]

Hi Virginia,

Most people do get improvement of their TMJ symptoms after surgery.

Theoretically, having a proper bite will lessen the stress on the

joints. However there are no guarantees. The statistics I've read

say that about 80-85% get improvement, 10-15% stay the same and 5-

10% get worse. I was one of the ones that got much worse

necessitating bilateral TMJ joint reconstruction but my joints were

already pretty bad to begin with. My condyles had degenerated so

much over the years that I went from a purely open bite as a

teenager to an almost 20 mm overbite in my 30's. One of the main

reasons I had orthognathic surgery to begin with was to try to stop

the degeneration in the joints but I was one of the ones who just

got worse despite my surgeon taking all possible precautions. Your

surgeon would be the best one to determine what kind of shape your

joints are in and whether you have a good chance of improvement by

correcting your bite.

I, as well as many other people on this site, have long lasting

numbness. My lower jaw advancement was 18 months ago and I still

have numbness of my lips and chin. I do have tingling and am

gradually getting sensation back even now so I'm sure most of it

will resolve. Other than not noticing if something is stuck on my

chin, it really doesn't cause any problems. For me, even if I didn't

eventually get full sensation back, it would be no big deal. For

Andy it is because he is a trumpet player and it interferes with his

playing but for us, I would say it is a minor inconvenience.

Also my surgeon told me that in addition to age, another big factor

with numbness is the amount of mandibular advancement. The further

the lower jaw is advanced, the more the nerve is stretched and

therefore, the longer it takes the nerve to heal. Nerves heal very

slowly so you can still regain sensation years after the surgery.

I'm not familiar with any surgeons in Texas so I can't help you

there. Everyone's situation is different so the best way to make a

decision is to gather as much information as you can and possibly

talk to several different surgeons about what your options are.

Despite everything, I've never regretted the surgeries because my

joints were degenerating anyway and the surgeries caused the TMJ to

accelerate but I would have ended up in the same position in a few

years anyway. Good luck with whatever you decide.

> Hi Again,

>

> ...its been a couple weeks since I posted last. Yesterday I had my

> bottom braces put on.....my ortho is still recommending surgery.

I'm

> still really scared. After reading Andy's postings, I'm even more

> worried, as my surgery is meant to help my TMJ. Sounds like not

only

> did the surgery cause Andy's TMJ to be worse, but he is also

> suffering from permanent numbness.

>

> But, I am still researching. I read that IrishSmiles, after a

year

> or more post op, has numbness that hasn't gone away. I read that

> fiddlesticks calls her's an " altered sensation " . This information

> really scares me, because it sounds to me like there is alot of

> people with some sort of permanent numbness/sensation issues even

> after long-term post op...especially people who have had the

surgery

> done at an older age....over 40. Cammie, it appears you are an

> exception, and I'm happy it's been good for you. I have read some

> success stories, but alot of them seem to be younger. Am I wrong

on

> this? Does age appear to be affecting people's full recovery.

> Comments are welcome.

>

> My other question. Has anyone heard of Dr. Terry D. in

> Houston. He is recommended for my surgery, and I'm hoping someone

> has heard of him, alternatively, does anyone have suggestions for

> maxillofacial surgeons in Houston.

>

> Thanks so much for everyone's replies.

>

> Virginia