Double Jaw Surgery (2 months post op)
Hello there. I had my DJS in the beginning of this past August. I had a BSSO, LeFort 1, and a Genioplasty. This was done at LACOMS with Dr. Walline. I’m unsure of the exact movements, but will update this once I find out.
Prior to this surgery, I had an FME (split my suture but ultimately failed/ warped). Then I got a custom MARPE, which was successful. I believe I got about 5/6 mm of expansion.
All this comes from extraction of premolars and camouflaged orthodontics when I was in high school. At the time, I had no idea it would impact my breathing. I wouldn’t find out till years later that my breathing issues came from this. I would wake up gasping for air, instant headache, and confused many times. I had a sleep study done, thinking that I had sleep apnea. My numbers didn’t quite make the mark to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, but I was definitely symptomatic. Heck, I even woke up choking in the middle of the night during my sleep study.
I always felt super self conscious about my appearance, as my jaws seemed underdeveloped. It was after my freshman year of high school that I got my premolars extracted, and I noticed that before that, I was pretty confident my freshman year. I was still YOUNG and there was much more time for my jaws to develop. Plus, I have cystic fibrosis, which plays a part in delayed development for many. If I had known then what I know now right? I’m sure we all feel that way.
Surgery day: Honestly, wasn’t super nervous because I knew I’d be in good hands, plus all those years of waking up gasping for air, and feeling horrible, made me feel like this surgery was definitely going to be the best thing for me. Lowkey though, had just gotten broken up with a few months before surgery, and I was thinking to myself “damn, it be like that huh” lol. Anyways, like I said, my heart rate was pretty good.
I knew once the anesthesiologist came into the operating room, I was set for mimi’s time. I’ve gone under multiple times for previous small surgeries, so it was like a treat tbh lol. Some know that feeling. Also, they had pictures of my x rays and cbct’s taped all over the room. It was pretty cool. Like dang, all this for me? (Bruh).
So it lasted about 3.5/4 hours, and I wake up. I was super numb so I didn’t feel anything obviously. Not really in pain, just felt my face really stiff. I was super happy to be on the other end of it. I had waited so long for this, and it was finally done.
I was super scared about the swelling interfering with my breathing, especially at night for the first week. That was like the biggest thing for me. Let me tell you something…. I had never in life been able to breathe so well. Even during peak swelling days 3/4, I was able to breathe really well. Even with all the mucus and dried up blood clots in my sinuses. My airway was OPEN!
I was medicated the first week, so I just watched a ton of movies. I would sleep throughout the days, wake up here and there to go on my phone for like 20 min, and knock out again.
At the first week post op check up, the nurse cleaned out my sinuses with the suction thingy and OMG, it was super uncomfortable. But I could breathe so well after, I wanted to cry bc I felt like I should have always been able to breathe like a normal person should 😭. Super happy at that point.
After the first couple weeks, I started walking at the park. I’d do about 3 miles every other day. Feel like it helped with swelling a lot.
Food wise, I would mash some potatoes, shred cheese, add sour cream, and bam, that was my go to meal for a while. Other soft foods as well. Honestly, the food part didn’t really make me feel bad, I just got new jaws bro, I started looking good. That kinda confidence overthrows my food purgatory sentence.
Probably my favorite part about this surgery is how much better I’m able to sing. I feel like singing is a lot more effortless for me, and I’m able to project more. I can’t even open my mouth all the way yet and I’m already sounding better than before.
I’m super grateful I had surgery, and I’ve homely been feeling great from the start. If yall have any questions, lmk!
The pics are pretty much in order, with some before pics towards the end, as well as my x-rays.
Pic 9 is before & after (forgot to add in).
TL;DR
Surgery went extremely well. Breathing has improved significantly 👍🏼