Hi everyone, I am 18 and I am going to have jaw surgery to correct my underbite. I have had my braces on for about 2.5-3 years now and my orthodontist has confirmed that I am definitely having the operation which I have been so impatiently waiting for as I knew I really wanted to have this done since I was 16.
Now I am of age, I think it is finally happening, my orthodontist has sent the referral to the hospital (YAY!!!!!!!!!) and I am going to have my assessment in February.
I have now been given elastic bands to wear nearly all the time, for the next few months, to pull out my lower jaw EVEN more which was quite scary. Obviously because that is what I do not want, as we have been trying to do the opposite for the past few years. But, my orthodontist told me that we have to make it as worse as It can get in order for the results to be even better, so at least there is light at the end of the (which seems like a never ending-) tunnel.
I just wanted to hear or find out more about what happens next? So my assessment (whatever that means) is in February, how long after that will I be booked in for surgery? I am really hoping as soon as possible because this whole experience has been such a long wait but now this referral has happened it feels as though the speed is picking up now and I will finally be able to have this life changing surgery I cannot wait for.
I have had headaches, I don't know if it is due to my jaw problems. I can't eat apples or any of that sort of food, well biting into anything can be a problem and also embarrassing if I am with people. I feel as though I can never let people view me from the side because that is where you can see my bite is most prominent, because from the front on I feel as though I can try to speak in a certain way which disguises the bite sometimes or just covering my mouth a lot. Not saying that I don't hate the way I look from the front on because I do, I feel as though I can't smile properly or laugh and when I do everyone will see how ugly or weird my bite is. Its just restricting my happiness, I feel so self conscious about it and I hate to sound vain but it really is horrible, not one day where I don't think about it.
At least soon this will all be done but I wanted to hear some advice and other people experiences so I can maybe compare and know what to expect? from Pre-op, to the procedure, and recovery? I have been seeing people about the numbness, does that disappear, is it only temporary, or is it permanent? and does it affect you?
Thankyou