Consulation

Megan and I (her mother) have decided to start a blog to document her double jaw surgery experience.  Megan doesn't like to write, so I will be actually writing.  All of this means, from a patient's point of view, it is all her telling me how she feels, etc.  I am not actually going to feel or experience the surgery. I just get to have the pain from a mom's view.  From what I read and hear from the doctors, it sounds like it is going to be quite an experience. 

Background history - Megan has had braces on since June 2013 and her orthodontist said she just can't do anymore to get her bite aligned without surgery.  Her teeth are straight, the bite is misaligned due to her jaws.   Her jaws pop and catch, her teeth rub together in the back, the surgery is necessary. 

Very pretty, but that is the most closed she can get her mouth.  

October 10, 2014 - We had Megan's consultation at UIC, the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry.   Our day started by getting on the road by 5:45 AM, yes, that early.  It was still dark and we were both still tired.  We were also ready to get going on this journey of this surgery and what all it was going to entail.

To summarize, the UIC was easy to find, easy to park at and easy to locate where we were supposed to go.  We arrived almost an hour early, but went ahead and checked in.  The registration process seemed to be very organized.  You check in at the information counter and they give you a card with a number and a color.  Once your color, her's was 3 Red, is called, you go to the registration station number they announce. 

Registration was easy, provide identification, insurance information, and sign all the paperwork.  A really cool thing about the way UIC does it is that it was paperless, no giving you a copy of a Privacy Notice due to HIPAA that you are not going to read, and is just going to end up in the trash as soon as you can find a trash can, or are the floorboard of your car.   They have all the billing forms, HIPAA notice and acknowlegments printed and laminated.  They hand them to you and give you time to look at.  Then the registrar has you sign and print names on a little pad telling you which form you are signing.  Very cool. 

We were then directed to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery waiting room.   We waited about a half an hour and were then called back to the consultation/treatment room by Dr. Laura, a surgical resident.    She said to call her Laura, or Dr Laura or Dr Pasch, as her last name was very, very long, and I believe Polish. 

She asked Megan why she was there, asked her about what her jaw misalignment affects and what the orthodontist had said.   Dr Pasch asked about Megan's braces, such as how long she has had them, etc.  She then said she would explain the surgeries, make some molds and take a 3D of her whole face. 

The doctor explained the surgery would be double-jaw surgery, they do each jaw and do each jaw a little differently.  I have some pictures to explain.  For the lower jaw, they cut in the gum-line at the back of each row of teeth.  Megan then asked, "Am I going to be asleep for this!?!"  The doctor then thought she better back up and explain surgery would be done in the hospital and she would be spending the night.  She would be asleep and not feel the surgery.  The doc then explained they would put a tube down her throat so she could breathe during surgery, and that really prompted questions.  Megan has still talked about that tube and it seems to really bother her!  I told her breathing was important, so the tube is crucial! 

Basically, they will do two, perhaps three, surgeries---one to her lower jaw, one to her upper jaw and possibly, her chin.  All the cuts are done inside the mouth, so no scarring will occur on the face.  They cut along lower molars in the gums, move the jaw in place and secure with pins.  Here is an example picture:

This will be the same on both sides.

For the upper jaw, they cut along the molars in the back, behind your front teeth and sometimes the roof of you mouth.  They move your jaw and then secure it permanently with these pins: 

Again, both sides will be the same.  

The plans are to spend one night in the hospital, of course, with lots of pain medication.  

They then put very tight bands on your mouth to keep your jaws from moving.  Weekly, they take off some and eventually loosen the bands.  She will be eating no solid food for a minimum of four weeks.   Our blender will get a workout! 

I will update this as I learn more.  The surgeon is supposed to call me about scheduling.  I am nervous for her and me, as we go through this.  God will be hearing many prayers.  I am already very thankful this is possible.