Surgery Details

Unfortunately my regular morning t.v. programming was interrupted by some unpleasant weather so I'm updating my blog a little earlier today. Like I mentioned yesterday I realized I hadn't explained what my surgery actually entailed or what it was medically labeled. So here it goes. I had three procedures done which took seven hours to complete. Definitions and pictures are courtesy of
http://www.maxfac.com/facial/jaw.html
First this is what my problem was an open bite. There was a space between my upper and lower teeth. My teeth only touched I believe on my left back side. Eventually I'll put pictures of  myself up when I can get the before and after from my surgeon or orthodontist.




1) Lefort 1 Oseotomy ( I had my top jaw cut and moved in three pieces instead of one due to my open bite my Dr. thought this would create a more stable result)

Le Fort I Osteotomy
Sensory nerves to the upper lip and cheeks are coloured blue

The Le Fort I osteotomy involves separating the maxilla and the palate from the skull above the roots of the upper teeth through an incision inside the upper lip. The maxilla is fixed in its new position with titanium screws and plates. The operation is frequently carried out with the mandibular Sagittal split osteotomy when it is termed a Bimaxillary Osteotomy. (I believe my upper jaw was moved up and a little forward).







2) Sagittal Split Osteotomy

Mandibular Sagittal Split Osteotomy
and Genioplasty (Chin Surgery)Sensory Nerves to the lower lip pass through the jaw and are coloured blue

The back of the lower jaw is split bilaterally under general anaesthetic in the region of the wisdom teeth, which are generally removed in a separate operation at least 6 months prior to corrective surgery. The procedure permits the lower jaw to be advanced or pushed back with adequate bone contact for healing. The bone is fixed in its new position by screws which are inserted through tiny external skin incisions which are located at the angle of the jaw. These heal with minimal external scarring.  (All my screws were inserted internally)

3) Genioplasty

The chin may be moved backward / forwards / upwards / downwards with an intraoral incision behind the lower lip, to correct an abnormal position. (My chin was moved forward due to the fact they had to move my jaw back, so to balance everything my chin needed to be moved forward).

 
I hope this gives everyone a better idea of what I had done. Pretty major stuff. I now have feeling on my top and lower left side of my lips. It's sort of of amusing to have it split down the middle like that. I'm still numb on my cheeks and parts of my nose. I won't know for certain if I'll get feeling back until a few months down the road. At that point if I don't have it I probably never will. The Dr. told me that if you're 18 and have this done 90% chance you'll regain all feeling. If you're 40 plan on being numb forever. So at 29 who knows only time will tell. 

Last night I was brushing my teeth and saw the some of stitches have come loose above my top teeth. A few strings are just hanging there. I imagine they're just coming out on their own because there's no blood or anything. Maybe the Dr. will remove them when I see him on Monday. Ok, I think that's enough for today. Until tomorrow my friends :)