Orthognathic Surgery, any tips?

[jem_bob]

I'm due to undergo Orthognathic surgery next Tuesday, I'm having a mandibular advancement. They're going to break my lower jaw and move it forward so that my teeth fit together and I have a more 'correct' bite. I also hate my appearance as I have no chin or jaw definition so am very much looking forward to the improvement. I have never had an operation before and am bricking it to say the least. Has anyone had this procedure done and can tell me about their experiences? Or does anyone just has some advice for coping with surgery? I am terrified! Many thanks.

[sqad617]

jem...which hospital are you going to for the operation?

[marval]

Well I have never had this done, but I have had surgery. I didn't find it a difficult experience, they took me down to a room. It was just outside the operating theatre, that is where I had the anesthetic (hope that is spelled right.)

So I didn't actually see the theatre, which was my worst fear. The next thing I woke up and it was all over. Your operation sounds bigger than mine, but hopefully it will be a similar procedure.

I suggest you have a favourite tune in your head, or think of something you really like, just to relax you. I used to pretend I was going to the theatre to see a play, and would decide which one I wanted to see. (sounds silly, but worked for me.)

I wish you well, hope all goes acording to plan.

[sqad617]

in addition to marval's comments:

It will all start on the morning of operation, the theatre staff and surgeons will get up wash have breakfast and make their way to the hospital and to the theatres. No excitement, no panic, no apprehension, as it is just a routine day in the life of these people, the have done it so often before.

You will be awakened in the ward by a nurse and depending upon what part of the day your operation is scheduled for, you will receive an injection into your upper arm�the premed. Within 15mins, you will feel sleepy, calm with no apprehension at all for the forthcoming event, only to be disturbed by the two theatre porters who will lift you onto the trolley and transport you to the theatre.

In the anaesthetic room you will be met by a nurse who will check all of your details, and ask what operation that you are having, followed by the anaesthetist who will put a very small needle into the back of your hand. Into that needle he will inject the drug (anaesthetic) that has been drawn up previously and within 10secs you will be fast asleep

You will wake up in the recovery room under the capable care of the recovery nurses.

Another operation done and �no big deal� for the surgeons.

Any questions?

[ACtheTROLL]

I've had a couple of minor heart thingies - an angiogram and a pacemaker fitted

no sleepy pills just a local anaesthetic which didn't seem to have worked ...

I was just going to say something when I saw he'd already started.

they were using a real time x-ray thingy - flippin' fascinating seeing tubes and ink being squirted into arteries
I as dissapointed it was over so quickly (and they didn't offer a copy of the dvd either!)

with pacemaker he made the cut - then stuck a finger in to make room for the doofer ... the worst part there was the table was very shiny - I thought I was going to be dragged off the table.

again the live x-ray
as quad says - no big deal (to them) - if the risks outweighed the result they wouldn't be doing it without you knowing why.

the worst bit will be the food - it's always the bl@@dy food - how they expect anyone to eat that cr@p I'll never know.

I was on steroids that increased my appetite ... I could have eaten a horse - but couldn't get the sheperds pie down ... I lived on the Asian menu and steamed pudding (mmmm - treacle sponge!!!!)

[Naomicorlett]

Last op I had I had a fab pre-med....I was joking all the way to the op room......I said that my husband never took me anywhere so I was going to the theatre without him !! They will look after you . Thinking of you. :o)

[jem_bob]

Thanks guys for all of your advice. I went yesterday for my pre-op medical and just seeing the hospital had me in cold sweats (it's not my usual hospital, it was huge and imposing). To make matters worse, my parents have gone on holiday this morning (they had it booked before we had a date for the op), so they won't be there when I go in. I really need them for support and am so upset that I'm not going to see them again until I come out the other side. My sister is coming with me, so hopefully I won't get 'silly' if I'm with her. My biggest fear is going down to the theatre and knowing what's going to happen. My surgeon is so calm about the whole thing! You're right, it is just another day at the office for them, which makes me feel a bit better. I suppose I'm lucky that I made it to 21 without having to experience this yet!

[sqad617]

jem....you haven't answered my first question.

[jem_bob]

A hospital north of London.

[sqad617]

jem...if it is Mount Vernon, then you have no worries as it is one of the best in the country.

Good luck

[jem_bob]

It's not, unfortunately! Just an NHS hospital. It looked okay, but you never can be too careful. Got all of my antibacterial washes and wipes ready! I have every faith in my surgeon, he is absoutely pedantic about getting every little detail right. I've been told he's one of the best in our area which helps!