Why am I undergoing surgery...

It was never noticed as I was younger, but it became obvious that as I grew up and my face took it’s shape that something wasn’t ‘quite right’ about it - I started to get quite a gummy smile, a weird looking jaw structure, and I was unable to close my mouth.

During 2002, (I was about 12 years old) I was told that one day I may potentially need either screws or surgery in order to correct the position of my jaws, but I’d have to continue to wait until my face fully grew before they could be sure. Until then however, they tried a number of braces in order to try and reduce the ‘mess’ all of which failed. As my face did grow, I developed an overbite, open bite and additionally a severely set back lower jaw. (At this time I also took a knock to my jaw which somehow made everything worse!)

It was during 2008 that it was confirmed i’d need surgery in order to correct the alignment of both of my jaws, however it was a choice. I didn’t HAVE to have the surgery, but I was told it would improve my appearance and my problems greatly. During this time I’d had a pre-op clinic appointment with my maxillofacial surgeons and the ortho-team who all confirmed what they intended to do with my jaw, the process that would happen, and what was to be expected in the next few years.

It was decided that I would have bimaxillary osteotomy, maxillary impaction, and Genioplasty. Not long after this, I did agree to surgery, consent was signed and I started on what feels like one of the BIGGEST commitments of my entire life.

In August 2009, I had permanent braces put on. The braces were used to align my teeth into the surgery position and will be used after surgery to wire both of my jaws together. It was estimated that i’d have them on for 6 months before I was operated on. HOWEVER, 2 and a half years later, (March 2012), I’ve only just been told that i’m pretty much ready for my operation (Have another clinic appt 11th April, to confirm everything!) and It’s today that i’ve started my blog! I had ENORMOUS complications at the start of having braces, all which have slowed down the whole process entirely. My teeth were also far too stubborn to move into their surgery position! 

Why i’m actually having the operation;

1. Correction of Discomfort. I desire to use all of my teeth to chew in a 'normal' position, not hit and miss, and with this, I want to be able to fit my jaws together into a correct position.
2. Due to the position of my jaw, It’s impossible to breathe through my nose, so it makes me a mouth breather. (Breathing through my nose makes me feel like i’m about to drop dead with a lack of oxygen.) People with a set back lower jaw also have an increased risk of sleep apneas
3. Correction of Physical apperance. I’m sure people who have the same problems as me can agree, the psychological effects of having a pretty messed up jaw are enormous. I know from personal experience I am incredibly paranoid and self-conscious about my appearance  especially side on when it’s most noticed. You see pictures and realise how gummy your smile is, or how weird your jaw is, and you just feel so unattractive. People can consider this as 'vein,' however, how I look at it, why shouldn't I be able to have a normal jaw structure like the majority of the population? There is no shame in wanting to feel good about yourself in every aspect of your life, jaws included!