Hello. I was concerned about facial asymmetry and improving my face shape, so I underwent square jaw surgery and two chin procedures at Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. I am leaving this review by organizing my personal experience in the hope that it may be of some help to those considering surgery or interested in facial contouring.
The reason I decided to have surgery was that I had always been bothered by asymmetric aspects of my face shape, an angular face shape, and a retruded chin, and I had a strong desire to improve them. Since I wanted to have surgery, I decided to receive a professional consultation. After that, I learned about Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery through communities and cafes where I could gather various information. Because this is a major surgery that handles bone, I placed greater importance on safety and function, so I paid the most attention to Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, an oral and maxillofacial hospital. I felt even more reassured because there was a director with 20 years of experience and an anesthesiology specialist, guardians could watch the surgery in real time through CCTV, and they perform only one surgery per day, so I chose this hospital.
During the consultation, I first had a CT scan before the consultation, and based on those results, I began the first consultation with the consultant. She asked in detail about the areas I was concerned about and wanted to improve, and at the same time realistically explained how those concerns could be improved and what changes I could expect after surgery. Also, because I lacked knowledge and information about facial contouring surgery, I was worried about what detailed questions I should ask, but the consultant fully explained not only my face shape and the types of surgery, but also the points I absolutely needed to know and precautions. Thanks to that, after learning a lot of information, I began the second consultation with the director. Based on my overall face shape and the CT scan, the director personally showed numerical values such as facial length on the screen, listened to my concerns and the areas I wanted to improve, and explained in an easy-to-understand way what condition my facial bones were in, how it would be good to improve them, how the surgery would be performed if I proceeded, and what I would look like after surgery. After the consultation ended, I scheduled the surgery date on the same day.
Before surgery - On the day of the consultation, I had blood tests and several preoperative examinations. After setting the surgical plan, the consultant helped me a lot until the day of surgery through KakaoTalk by answering things I did not know, checking my condition, and telling me necessary items. I was grateful.
Day of surgery - I arrived at the hospital one hour before surgery, had another CT scan, received guidance on the surgical procedure, and unpacked my belongings in the inpatient room they showed me. Items needed after surgery were prepared in the inpatient room, such as a neck pillow and so on. Lastly, the consultant and the director explained the surgical plan and any other areas I wanted improved until right before surgery. After finishing the consultation well, I entered the operating room. The moment the anesthetic spread through my body, my memory stopped, and when I opened my eyes, I was lying in the inpatient room. The director came to the inpatient room and told me the surgery had gone well. As for postoperative pain, personally, I had no pain in the square jaw area, and my chin tip felt slightly numb and tingling. Staying awake to expel the anesthetic gas was a little difficult. After I came to my senses a bit, my throat felt scratchy, I was thirsty because I could not drink water, and breathing was difficult. I did not have a nosebleed or bloody sputum. On the day of surgery, I could not sleep well because I could not maintain my posture or breathing properly, but while I was hospitalized, the on-duty medical staff changed my cold packs every hour, checked on painkillers and discomfort continuously, explained what I needed to do at home after discharge and weekly precautions, and helped me a lot, so I got through it without any problems. I was truly grateful.
The next morning before discharge, I met the director and had the drain removed. I had heard people say it felt creepy or painful, but I had no pain and did not feel much, so it was fine. After the drain was removed, I organized the inpatient room, changed clothes, took a taxi by myself, and came home without difficulty.
Week 1 - From discharge to week 1, in daily life, my facial swelling increased and my face was very puffy, and the sensation in my chin tip and teeth was dull. Each time, the hospital told me to consistently apply cold compresses, use the compression band, and drink fluids regularly until day 3, so I applied cold compresses and drank a lot of water. I also took my medication well to prevent inflammation. When taking medicine, your mouth does not open well, so it is okay if you take one pill at a time. For meals, because I could not chew, I kept drinking New Care, and after meals, I diligently used Hexamedine mouthwash. They said taking light walks in the evening was good, so I did not skip walks. When showering, washing my hair was not a problem, but when washing my face, I was careful because I worried something might happen to my face. As for sleep, I could not lie down to sleep, so I slept with my back upright as much as possible so my face would not lean to one side, which was a bit uncomfortable. At week 1, I visited for my first follow-up, had a CT scan, and the director disinfected the inside of my mouth. I do not know if I am good at tolerating it, but it was more of a stinging sensation than pain. After disinfection, I received laser treatment and went home.
Week 2 - From this point, the facial swelling started to go down little by little compared with week 1, and the sensation in my chin tip and teeth was similar to week 1. I still ate liquid foods, but mainly ate soft cream-type cakes, finely blended porridge, and ice cream. I think it is a good idea to order a Baskin Robbins spoon in advance. I regularly applied warm compresses and used the compression band, and as in week 1, I used Hexamedine mouthwash and brushed little by little with a Waterpik and a small toothbrush, even if it was not perfect. I was in good enough condition to walk for an hour, so I did that without difficulty, and I slept the same way as in week 1. Then I visited the hospital for week 2 stitch removal, and they checked my progress from after surgery to week 2 and removed the stitches. Stitch removal took about 3 minutes and did not hurt. It just felt like the threads were snapping one by one, and then it was over. After removal, the director explained precautions and light mouth-opening exercises, and after receiving 30 minutes of swelling laser treatment, I went home. Also, during week 2, I contacted the consultant a lot and asked various questions, and she kindly answered even late at night, which I was truly grateful for and found very helpful.
Week 3 - From this point, many things changed. First, I could see the swelling gradually going down, and because there were no stitches, the inside of my mouth felt more comfortable and free than before. Sensation in my chin tip and teeth had returned by about 30-40%. They said I could slowly start regular food after stitch removal, so I stopped eating liquid food and lightly started regular food. I ate soft tofu, rice with stews that were not too irritating, 3-minute curry, jajang, and so on. After meals, the sutured tissue was still delicate and could tear, so I brushed gently, but since I could open my mouth wider than before and the inside of my mouth felt comfortable, I managed mouthwash and brushing well. I continued compresses and the compression band regularly at this time too. From this point, I walked for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon, for a total of 2 hours. For sleep, I still slept with my face elevated, but I could sleep more comfortably than before. I think from around this time, people who work or go to school can manage without major difficulty if they are careful.
Week 4 - By week 4, I think the contours of my face were gradually settling, although there was still swelling. Sensation in my chin tip and teeth had returned by about 60-70%. I had a follow-up in week 4, so I visited the hospital, had a CT scan, the director checked my surgical progress and consulted with me, and I received swelling laser treatment before going home. For meals, hard or tough foods were still too much, but my mouth opened much more than at first and chewing became a little more possible, so I could carefully eat the foods I had wanted without difficulty. I could brush my teeth cleanly like before without discomfort. The instruction sheet said compresses and the compression band could be done freely, but I thought I should do them if they helped, so I continued diligently. Walking was even easier than in week 3, and except for sleep, I had no discomfort in daily life.
Week 5 - Present. From this point, I lived about 80% the same as before surgery. For meals, I freely ate regular food except hard or tough foods such as meat. For sleep and so on, I gradually slept similarly to before surgery, but tried to keep my face from turning left or right as much as possible, so my sleep quality improved a lot. I can brush my teeth just like before surgery. The biggest thing is the facial swelling and change: although some swelling still remains now, my face has clearly softened, and I was amazed and satisfied by how the asymmetric face shape, jawline from the side, and chin tip had changed. I am also looking forward to seeing how it looks once all the swelling goes down. The sensation in my chin tip and teeth has currently returned by about 90-95%, and the sutured areas inside my mouth have healed well without problems. My mouth also opens a lot more now. Even now, although I cannot use the compression band and compresses as regularly as before, I still do them for 2 hours a day, and I consistently take at least a one-hour walk. Up to now, I have been living daily life without difficulty.
I will wrap up my surgery review here. I hope this may be of some help to those preparing for facial contouring surgery or two-jaw/facial contouring surgery, or those who are considering it and planning consultations. I think it is important to obtain a lot of information, receive a professional diagnosis, and have sufficient consultation before surgery. I hope everyone has a safe and successful surgery.