>> Before Surgery
Reason for SurgeryMy long face and lantern jaw was lowering
my self-esteem since my 4th year of elementary school. More than
that, my face shape when I was little was different. I think it was due to
recessive genes where it started getting severe (habit of biting nails, not
breathing through the nose and breathing with mouth open).
During puberty, my lower face started
getting longer and protruding outwards which made me sad and upset. When I
looked around my classmates.. there were students with small eyes (I have small
eyes as well but I had double eyelids which I liked since only 5 people in my
class had it), students with bad skin, everyone had their own concerns.
However, those students’ concerns would improve over time but my case was not
like that.
Looking at my other family members, my
grandfather had a slight lantern jaw but other than him, no one had the same
jaw as me. It feels like I was the only one born unusually and I was receiving
a punishment. It made me depressed throughout puberty.
I went to university and before studying
abroad, I took a semester leave before 2008 to get jaw surgery. I considered
this my task before applying for jobs in the future. My mother is a nurse –
which is probably why she was strongly against my surgery. I ended up saving up
money for the surgery by doing part time jobs and I received surgery at the hospital
that my mom’s friends recommended.
Thinking back at it now, I think my surgeon
did not have any prior experience to double jaw surgery before.
The internet back then was not as developed
as now and my mother did not really know much about plastic surgery either. We
thought that a plastic surgeon would be specialized in all types of surgery. I
think the plastic surgeon must have been surprised as he had to do surgery
since we were introduced by someone who he knew.
Even though if it wasn’t the exact surgery
that I wanted, since it would make the appearance of my chin shorter, I thought
I would be satisfied with just that. My chin and facial shape still looked
almost the same, it seemed like there was a placebo effect of gaining more
confidence due to the fact that I did surgery and I got accepted into the
company I wanted to work at. There were no discomforts with the function of my
jaw and mentally, my work life and personal life was fine. But I knew that deep
inside, I still was not satisfied.
So just like not doing homework and pushing
it for later… I received consultation at multiple clinics, I decided to get
surgery with Dr. Shin.
3 Days Post OP
My swelling seems to have reduced and I was
able to sleep for over 8 hours yesterday. I feel very refreshed ^_^.
4 Days Post OPI was able to was for the first time since
surgery. I’m on my way to get the de-swelling laser treatment.
I still cannot open my mouth properly but
my appetite has returned. I was able to see my lower jaw get much shorter in a
short span of time. I’m already satisfied.
6 Days Post OPMy left Eustachian returned to normal. My
left ear kept feeling clogged so I thought the swelling was severe on the left
side. When I tilted my head in a certain direction, I realized that it wasn't
the swelling that got better, it was the eustachian tube that was the problem.
That was the 3rd day…. I was
scared… when I searched about it on the internet, it said that it will return
to normal at about 1~2 months later… luckily, I feel some of the functional
aespects returned back to normal today.
My breathing returned almost normal today…it
was really difficult during the 2nd day. I was about to tell the
consultant that my nose was clogged but I heard that it gets better after about
6 days. That day is today haha.
7 Days
Post OP ㅡ It seems my swelling
seems to be decreasing more now. No more Fiona look!
The swelling increased starting at day 3 and it was the
most severe at the 4th-5th day.
8 Days Post OP ㅡ After
the surgery, I had my first follow up check with the doctor. I had my second
mouth disinfection and I got to take off the two rubber bands that were in
front of my wafers. I was told that I can brush my teeth regularly but I had to
avoid the areas that were still healing.
9~10 Days Post OP
It’s the weekend. Now that my swelling
started to decrease, I can eat using a spoon.
13 Days Post OPI still have a lot of swelling left but the
swelling below my jaw is still there.
My lips that thinned out is now slowly
returning back to normal.
The more my swelling decreases, the more I
get worried about skin sagging.
8 years ago, I had jaw angle reduction and
chin reduction which made my skin sag after my recovery. I was told that
through my revision surgery, there was a high chance that my skin will sag
since my skin was thin at most of the clinics for my consultation.
I hope my skin elasticity can get better.
14 Days Post OP
I was craving rice so I mixed it with beef
radish stew. I didn’t chew it and crushed it with my tongue against the roof of
my mouth. Maybe it’s because I ate salty food, but my swelling seems to have
increased. I wonder when my lips will return completely back to normal.
15 Days Post OPI had my stitches removed today. Getting the
stitches removed at the bottom did not hurt at all but the ones at the top hurt
and I almost shed a tear.
After getting my stitches removed, moving
my mouth was more comfortable.
I was told that I can remove my wafers
during the mornings.
During my University orientation, I couldn’t
speak properly so I was worried that they would misunderstood me. What will
happen in the future for my student life…
I was worried but it went well.
The swelling below my jaw decreased and as
time goes by, my cheekbones are getting more visible.
18 Days Post OPI met my friends and they all said that I
looked different and that my surgery was a success so I was happy. I’m already
getting used to my current appearance so I wonder if I really do look very
different?? After looking at my old pictures.. I was very surprised.
I had no huge dissatisfactions… humans are
so simple.
29 Days Post OP
A week before, I started doing pilates so that
I could strengthen my muscles. After a long period of resting, I proceeded with
my daily activities. Due to the screws in the inside of my mouth, it hurts
every time I move my mouth. I couldn’t eat properly which made me lose weight
(I lost 5kg and I currently only weight 40 kgs). Now, I try to consume foods
high in calories, which is the opposite of what I’ve been doing before surgery.
Even though I try my best to consume a lot of calories, I feel that my blood
sugar is low in the mornings which makes me dizzy and nauseous. Whenever that
happens, I try to drink fruit juice immediately so I leave it next to my bed.
For my one month progress check up, all 8 screws in my mouth got removed. I
started eating rice, noodles, and soft foods that can be breakable with my
hands. Also, my mouth doesn’t hurt anymore when I smile. I had rice in a good mood
and let my gums work after a long time but it tingled and hurt a bit.
35 Days Post OP
After surgery, wearing glasses suit me
better than before so I can concentrate better while studying now.
50 Days Post OP
My teeth and gums still don’t feel like
they’re mine. It’s difficult to chew food and brush my teeth. However, whenever
I see my changed appearance, going through these difficulties now hold a big
value (for my results).
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