Thanks Everyone.....for your replies.......

[Guest guest]

The information everyone is providing is really helpful in my thought

process to narrow in on an answer.

, your information is particularly helpful. I'm still a few

months away from any surgery date. So, I still have some time make

my final decision.

I'm going to keep watching everyone's progress, and weigh all my

options.

Thanks,

Virginia

> 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,

Yes, I can understand how this sounds so scary. I know I was when I

read so many things here. Yet I also had a sense of relief to learn

what to expect.

I do have to tell you that the lingering numbness has truly been the

most annoying lasting affect from my surgery. I am concerned about

how much will return. I don't know for sure if age has to do with

the length of time for it to return, but I've heard that that plays a

part. I just wanted to check in with you to say that although it is

annoying, I think I've gained far more than I've lost in the whole

deal. I can smile freely without embarrassment. I can chew more

properly and don't have the clicking and popping and TMJ symptoms I

had before. Hopefully my teeth are preserved. I can't speak for

anyone else's decisions, but for me, it was worth it. And even after

2 surgeries (which increase the risk of lasting numbness) and over 1

year postop, I still get almost daily tinglies in my numb bottom

lip. As long as I get that, there is a good chance more feeling will

return as those stubborn sleepy nerves are still trying to kick in.

My dentist who also had surgery (lower only) said it took him years.

I was like, " YEARS!??? " and he said yes, it was so gradual. He is 5

years post op and is down to an pencil eraser size spot at the side

of his mouth that still is gone. He, too, has no regrets.

Yes, Andy's situation is very unfortunate. I had to have two

surgeries to fix my problem. And I'm sure your surgeon has/will go

over all the risks with you. Medicine is not an exact science. And

it is totally your decision as this surgery is not to be taken

lightly. However, even with this buzzy bottom lip, I'm glad that I

did the surgery.

Good luck and hang in there!

Irish!

> > 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,

Yes, I can understand how this sounds so scary. I know I was when I

read so many things here. Yet I also had a sense of relief to learn

what to expect.

I do have to tell you that the lingering numbness has truly been the

most annoying lasting affect from my surgery. I am concerned about

how much will return. I don't know for sure if age has to do with

the length of time for it to return, but I've heard that that plays a

part. I just wanted to check in with you to say that although it is

annoying, I think I've gained far more than I've lost in the whole

deal. I can smile freely without embarrassment. I can chew more

properly and don't have the clicking and popping and TMJ symptoms I

had before. Hopefully my teeth are preserved. I can't speak for

anyone else's decisions, but for me, it was worth it. And even after

2 surgeries (which increase the risk of lasting numbness) and over 1

year postop, I still get almost daily tinglies in my numb bottom

lip. As long as I get that, there is a good chance more feeling will

return as those stubborn sleepy nerves are still trying to kick in.

My dentist who also had surgery (lower only) said it took him years.

I was like, " YEARS!??? " and he said yes, it was so gradual. He is 5

years post op and is down to an pencil eraser size spot at the side

of his mouth that still is gone. He, too, has no regrets.

Yes, Andy's situation is very unfortunate. I had to have two

surgeries to fix my problem. And I'm sure your surgeon has/will go

over all the risks with you. Medicine is not an exact science. And

it is totally your decision as this surgery is not to be taken

lightly. However, even with this buzzy bottom lip, I'm glad that I

did the surgery.

Good luck and hang in there!

Irish!

> > 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,

Yes, I can understand how this sounds so scary. I know I was when I

read so many things here. Yet I also had a sense of relief to learn

what to expect.

I do have to tell you that the lingering numbness has truly been the

most annoying lasting affect from my surgery. I am concerned about

how much will return. I don't know for sure if age has to do with

the length of time for it to return, but I've heard that that plays a

part. I just wanted to check in with you to say that although it is

annoying, I think I've gained far more than I've lost in the whole

deal. I can smile freely without embarrassment. I can chew more

properly and don't have the clicking and popping and TMJ symptoms I

had before. Hopefully my teeth are preserved. I can't speak for

anyone else's decisions, but for me, it was worth it. And even after

2 surgeries (which increase the risk of lasting numbness) and over 1

year postop, I still get almost daily tinglies in my numb bottom

lip. As long as I get that, there is a good chance more feeling will

return as those stubborn sleepy nerves are still trying to kick in.

My dentist who also had surgery (lower only) said it took him years.

I was like, " YEARS!??? " and he said yes, it was so gradual. He is 5

years post op and is down to an pencil eraser size spot at the side

of his mouth that still is gone. He, too, has no regrets.

Yes, Andy's situation is very unfortunate. I had to have two

surgeries to fix my problem. And I'm sure your surgeon has/will go

over all the risks with you. Medicine is not an exact science. And

it is totally your decision as this surgery is not to be taken

lightly. However, even with this buzzy bottom lip, I'm glad that I

did the surgery.

Good luck and hang in there!

Irish!

> > 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