It has been a month since I had double jaw surgery and contouring surgery 3 types (cheekbones, square jaw, chin).
I started orthodontic treatment in childhood because of malocclusion, but while I was in braces, my jaw started to grow. I even had little cheek fat, so my long jaw stood out more, and when I zoned out my mouth would not stay closed; when I smiled, my gums showed badly. Because of those outward issues, I started dreaming about double jaw surgery from high school.
By the time I reached my late 20s, the complex I had carried about my jaw since school became much more obvious, and that is what led me to decide on double jaw surgery.
My criteria for choosing a hospital were very clear. 1) Oral and maxillofacial surgery department 2) One surgery per day 3) My aesthetic sense matched with the head surgeon's 4) No accidents and no bad reviews 5) CCTV disclosure
The first place I consulted was W Oral, and on the day of the consultation I felt drawn to having the surgery there. Still, I was curious what other places would recommend, so I had three more consultations, but based on the standards I had set, I became even more convinced about W.
The manager answered all my many questions kindly, and above all, the chief surgeon was extremely rational, which gave me trust. They pinpointed exactly the surgery I needed, and the way they told me not to worry about my concerns made them seem confident about the operation, which gave me even more trust.
Because I had such a firm desire to get the surgery, a stable hospital system, and a surgeon who seemed relaxed, I did not feel nervous at all even when I lay down on the operating table.
On the first day after surgery, I really regretted it lol T_T I had wanted the surgery so badly, but the pain and difficulty after surgery were so intense that I wondered why I had done it. Breathing, nausea, having to sleep sitting up, my swollen face, the frustration of not being able to speak, sores inside my mouth, and so on - there was only pain and hardship on that first day.
But the nurses checked on me very often, noticed when I was in pain, and carefully watched my condition, which helped me so much. Thanks to them, I was able to get through that hellish first day.
On the second day, once the urine catheter and drainage tube were removed, I felt much more alive, so I even went for a walk and chatted with my mom using a memo app.
After discharge, it was really hard until the two-week mark. I got tired of New Care too, so later I only drank chocolate milk and strawberry milk. Since I had hardly eaten anything, I had no energy and even felt dizzy while walking. It also took a long time to fall asleep, and I woke up so often that I never really slept well, so my condition was at its worst. I had seen many people say that with double jaw surgery you just have to endure two weeks, and it is really true..!
Even right before the stitches were removed in week 2, the discomfort and pain were so bad that I felt like I was dying, and when the stitches were taken out, the pain in the inner lip tissue felt exactly like it was being cut with scissors, so I cried from how much it hurt.
From the way home after the stitches were removed, my condition began to improve like magic, and after that, through weeks 3 to 4, I was not so uncomfortable that I would forget I had had surgery. I think the surgeon finished everything very carefully and well.
The swelling plateaued from weeks 3 to 4, but I am walking hard because I think time is the best medicine!
Even when the swelling was severe right after discharge, I looked at my changed jaw and told myself this was a challenge worth trading pain for, as a way to rationalize it. Compared with my photos before surgery, my jaw has become much shorter, and just that one change made my whole facial impression softer. My parents even say it feels like a new face, not their daughter anymore!
My biggest complex, the long jaw, has become shorter, and the teeth that used to show badly when I zoned out no longer show, so the problems I had before have been resolved.
I really like my jawline now, but I was told only about 30-40% of the swelling has gone down, so I am even more excited for what is ahead!!!
No regrets!!