Since middle school, my protruding jaw and facial asymmetry had been severe, so I covered my face with a mask for years. I tried to solve it with orthodontics alone, but the jaw itself did not improve, and I hated unconsciously covering my jaw whenever I took photos. T_T Eventually, I decided to stop hiding and properly improve it, so I chose double-jaw surgery!!
While looking for a hospital experienced in double-jaw surgery, I visited about three or four places. Among them, my consultation with Director Kim Jong-yoon at Yisoo Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery felt the most trustworthy. They checked my tooth structure and jaw condition together through cooperation with orthodontics, and I liked their treatment plan of starting with presurgical orthodontics according to my situation instead of rushing into surgery, so I chose them.
I had double-jaw surgery and facial contouring surgery together. At one month, most of the major swelling had gone down, and I remember being amazed while checking the bone changes on CT before and after surgery! I focused on recovery by diligently doing mouth-opening exercises and wearing rubber bands.
From months two to three, people around me started saying often that my face had really become smaller. Haha. I had never heard anyone say I had a small face before, so it felt strange but made me happy. After the wafer was removed, I could open my mouth about three fingers wide, making meals much easier, and I could gradually feel the dull sensation returning.
At months four to five, I noticed even bigger changes in daily life! I could open my mouth about four fingers wide and eat somewhat firm foods. I used to avoid hats because of my face shape, but now I have started trying different styles. I could also participate confidently in video shoots without worrying about how my jaw would look. Hahaha.
At months six to seven, the residual swelling decreased further and my face shape began settling naturally. Even my family and friends said my current face looked more familiar. With postsurgical orthodontics, my dental midline and occlusion gradually became aligned! Most of all, I am happiest with my profile. I used to hate showing my side view, but now I like it so much that I even prefer it to my front view!
At month eight, people I met for the first time even told me they were jealous that I had been born with a small face. Hahaha. Since they did not know I had double-jaw and contouring surgery, I felt a little guilty, but I was satisfied because it had settled so naturally. Even while traveling, I no longer worry about photo angles like before, and I like how I look no matter who takes the picture!!!
I have now entered month nine! I thought almost all the swelling had gone, but it is fascinating that I can still feel small changes. Hahaha. Comparing the photos with the early postoperative period, the swelling around my nose has decreased further, making my nostrils look thinner than before!!! At first, I worried that my nose might look wider after double-jaw surgery, but the area around my nose is gradually becoming more natural with time.
Most of all, these days I truly realize how much smaller my face has become whenever I look in the mirror. Lol. The face shape that bothered me because of my protruding jaw and facial asymmetry has become much softer, and it feels as though the overall empty space of my face has also been refined, so my satisfaction is extremely high! The before-and-after photos clearly show the change, but I like it even more because it looks naturally refined to suit my face rather than excessively different. The biggest change is that I used to cover my jaw whenever I took photos, but now I take pictures confidently from any angle. I have had absolutely no side effects from double-jaw surgery, and after nine months, my satisfaction with my current appearance is truly the best, haha!