My biggest question was pertaining to the genioplasty. I have read so many blogs where people have gotten a genioplasty in addition to their upper and lower jaw surgery, but I just haven't found an answer as to what exactly the POINT of it was. I knew it moved your chin, but there was no answer that I could find that told me the difference between how things would look with the genio, and how they would look without. I printed out a few pictures of myself (the same ones I previously posted) to show Dr. M so that I could better explain what it was that I didn't like about my jaw shape/chin. I think that up until now (or a few weeks ago) I blamed all of my personal cosmetic issues that I had on the fact that my jaw was recessed. Recently, I have realized that it is not only that, but that I don't have any chin definition. My chin just sits flush with my jaw, it all just kind of flows into each other. Dr. M agreed with everything I was saying, and thought a genioplasty would be good for me, so I have decided to go with it. He is having one of the office women check on cost, but do any of my followers have an idea as to what the additional charge is for the genioplasty?
Another thing I discussed was donating blood in case I needed a blood transfusion during surgery. Dr. M said they used to require people donate their own blood, but after years and years of never having any need for it, they didn't see a need to require it any longer. He said it would be an option if I wanted to, but that it was very costly, as the blood can not be put into the pool to be donated to anyone, and therefore if you don't use it, you'll need to pay for it's disposal. I think I am okay with not donating.
Dr. M told me I needed to gain some weight, but I don't really agree with him. My normal weight is about 125, and I am sitting at 132 right now, so there is already room to lose a bit. He told me I needed to start eating healthy, and that chicken nuggets (after I told him I ate them last night) are not the best form of protein. I don't think he fully realizes I am a college student, I don't have time for home cooked meals every night! I am thinking I will stress eat a LOT in the next few weeks due to finals coming up. I am going to try to eat a bit healthier, but I don't really have the time to be thinking about food, all my energy is going into getting through this semester. I also have every intention of pigging out the week prior to surgery, so maybe that'll help a bit, but probably none of it will be considered healthy.
I get official measurements taken at the surgery center a few days prior to my surgery date, but I wanted to talk to Dr. M about how much movement he was thinking I would need. He said about 6mm foward on bottom jaw, and 2mm up on the top jaw. They will also be rotating my top jaw upward a little, as my jaw plane is at a downward slope right now.
I asked about exercising as well. Dr. M said moderate exercise starting at 2 weeks post-op, but no high intensity work outs until at least 3-4 weeks post-op.
I left the clinic in a hurry to get online and register for classes. I am now officially registered for my LAST semester of my undergrad degree. WHOA!
Oh, and if anyone has any interest in connecting on Facebook, please feel free to add me. My link is www.facebook.com/DaniAnderson :)
Anonymous | April 19, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Wow Dani, great post! You are doing a good job making sure you are all prepared.
I think you are doing the right thing by going with the genio. I talked to my ortho about it yesterday and he strongly suggested I do the same and I am going to. My surgeon quoted me $3000.
I do not plan on gaining a single pound before my surgery unless it just happens on its own. I am certainly not trying!
That is great news on the exercise. I expected it to be longer!
Congrats on registering for your last semester! How exciting!
I am dying to know how many mm I will be moved. I know the last time I asked, it was 4-5mm upper jaw moved up, 4-5mm lower moved forward, 2mm genio (but I don't quite know what that means). I feel like my lower jaw won't need to be moved forward quite so much but we'll see.
Let get this show on the road!!
Anonymous | April 19, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Hey girlie- My doctor said the same thing about not having to donate blood for the same reason. Not having to donate it was just fine with me. No more needles than necessary!!
My genio was a little under $3,000. I paid for it out of pocket before hand but ended up having most of it reimbursed, do not ask me how. My surgeons office said they had never had an insurance company cover genio before. I was not asking any questions either!! I got that refund from the surgeon right before christmas, ummmm Merry Christmas!! :)
I am very happy I did the genio and am amazed at the definition in my chin now. My profile was kind of a diagonal line before my surgery with no definition to my chin. Not cute! :) Be glad you are doing this surgery in college and not in your dirty thirites like me!!
Before you know it, this will all be ancient history!!
Take care!
Mandy
Dani | April 19, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Mandy, If you find any paperwork or get any inkling as to how you may have been reimbursed for the genio, please let me know!
I told my mom this morning that I thought it was around $1500. I am a little worried now. She is paying for all of this, in addition to paying a lot of my sister's wedding, and she thought I was going to be moving home next semester. I just sprung it on her this morning that I would still be living in my sorority, so now after reading it's around $3000, my stomach has sank a bit. :-\ I really feel strongly about getting the genio now, and I don't want finances to be a reason I don't get the best results out of this surgery!
Anonymous | April 19, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Dani- the surgeons office really had no idea why it was covered. I didn't ask any further questions because I was afraid that the insurance company would change their mind.
I think the exact total of the genio was $2850 but that obviously varies. Sorry I couldn't be more help! :(
JEN | April 19, 2011 at 9:11 PM
Congrats on being close to finishing college!
I had a genio with my first surgery. Wow, what a difference it made in my profile since I had an extremely prominent chin. I was told it was an extra $1000, but ended up never being billed for it. Which is great, since I spent $2700 on implants shortly after. :)
Rhianna | April 20, 2011 at 1:29 AM
Hey Dani!
I am having the genioplasty done also and I really believe it will make the difference between a good looking profile to a FANTASTIC and perfectly balanced profile. I am so thankful its included with my surgery and I really hope it isn't too costly for you!!
Thats really interesting what you wrote about the blood. Im hoping I wont have to donate now! fingers crossed..
After my surgery, I will be going into my last semester of my undergrad also :) cant wait to finish!!!!! What are you studying btw? best of luck with all your work :)
Rhianna | April 20, 2011 at 1:31 AM
P.S I've added you on FB :)
Braced Blogger | April 20, 2011 at 7:00 AM
Hi Dani, I've been MIA (busy season at work!) and I just logged in for the first time in a long while. I see you're close to surgery! Yippee!! If your surgeon thinks the genio is something you need, maybe he can work out a payment plan for it since it's really more cosmetic. It's worth asking! My doctor also mentioned to me that some people prefer to wait to see the results of surgery before deciding on the genio. The good news is that you don't have to do this at the same time (although I can see how you would prefer to do it all at once). The positive is that healing is faster if you wait. The downside is another surgery later. The good news is you have options if you can't work it into your budget now. And I cannot recall the specifics, but I want to say that my genio was going to be around $2,000 to $2,500. Another blogger on here had her surgery by the same surgeon I'm using and she had a genio so you could ask her. I think you've talked before - Whitney. You can find her on my blog as a follower. Sounds like our doctor may have been cheaper on the genio although I know his surgeon's fees are very high (luckily that's covered by insurance).
Do you have a rare blood type? If not, I'd definitely pass on the blood donation, too!
Did you get a list of supplies you'll need to buy and if so where did you get this list? I'm trying to accumulate my own list but I'm afraid I'll forget something (actually had a dream/nightmare about this). Which reminds me - funny how you guys have just started having dreams about the surgery. I've had about 20 but they were mostly in the beginning of the braces process around the time I had teeth extracted. That was scary because it meant no turning back. Now I'm excited and can't wait!
Looking forward to following your progress in the next few weeks!!
Tara
Dani | April 20, 2011 at 4:40 PM
Tina,
Sounds like we are going to have pretty similar movement! You will just be going up more on the upper jaw, but my surgeon said 2 mm on the genio as well. Be sure to ask about movement at your next appointment, I am curious to hear the definite answers!
Rhianna, you have to remember that the Australian healthcare system is crazy different! You are LUCKY to not have to jump through as many hoops as Americans do to get the healthcare you deserve!
Tina! I am so happy you've reappeared. I was wondering where you had gone! I think my mom is pretty set on bugging the surgeon's office to see if there is ANY way it can be covered. She really is the most amazing mom, so I think she might pay for it regardless, but it just makes me feel incredibly guilty. I would like to get it done all at the same time, as I plan on moving out of MN and away from my surgeon and hopefully moving on with my life entirely after this surgery is done! I really don't want to have to go under the knife again, and the think with doing the genio + the surgery is that insurance covers the anesthesia for the surgery, and therefore you only have to pay the genio cost. If I were to get the genio at a later time, I'd probably have to shell out another $1000 to pay for the anesthesia costs.
No, I don't have a rare blood type, so I am definitely relying on some giving person if I do happen to lose too much blood. My surgeon told me it was really expensive to give your own blood to yourself-- he said up to hundreds of dollars, so I am definitely going to pass on that one!
I posted a blog of some supplies I have bought, but Mandy has a great list of supplies on her blog as well, just click through her archive! I recently picked up kids mouthwash because I think it'll be safer in case I swallow any, and maybe won't burn as much as big kid mouthwash! haha. Keep us posted on your journey as well, I missed your updates! :)
xx
Incognita | April 21, 2011 at 7:40 PM
I'm getting a genioplasty along with my double jaw surgery. The reason being , from what I remember, ( it was very early and i was very nervous) is that my chin sort of curves inward so you can't even notice it now. Because the bottom jaw is being moved back, my chin is going to be even further back. They did imaging and it looks better with the genioplasty so I am going to get it. Lucky for me its only $500 out of pocket. the surgery itself is all covered except for planning fees ($3000). goodluck with everything :)
Terra
Braced Blogger | April 21, 2011 at 7:47 PM
Dani,
Thank you so much for telling me about the list on Mandy's blog! I'll be sure to copy it :-) I'm really excited for you that you're almost on the other side!!
Tara
Braced Blogger | April 21, 2011 at 8:04 PM
Dani - one more thing, if you don't mind me asking, how tall are you? I am curious about the weight thing. My surgeon said I'll probably lose about 10 pounds but that all of it will be gained back. As it stands, I could probably lose 5 pounds before the surgery and was planning on losing it but maybe I shouldn't if I'll be told to put it back on pre-surgery.
robinmodern | April 21, 2011 at 8:52 PM
Dani,
I'm glad you are getting answers now and being thorough. The more your mind is at ease, the faster you will heal!
My genio was $2287, and totally worth it for me. At 4 weeks now, 85% of the swelling is gone and my chin is in proportion with my other features when I smile and not. Hurray!
I am not allowed to chew or exercise for 3 more weeks. I'm used to running every day, so this has been tough, but since most of my face is numb, I cannot imagine the sensation of running. It would just be too uncomfortable. Also, once my nose finally stopped bleeding (upper jaw surgery does a number on your sinuses), it continues to run clear, but I can't really feel it until it drips. It get's old. Your doc is right to be concerned about the protein you eat, your body is going to go through a lot! You might want to investigate what kind of foods to stock in advance. I'm vegan and it's been tough, but these soups have saved my life: http://www.pacificfoods.com/
I add vegetables and soft pasta and blend it up. I'm also living on Odwalla juices. Also, I think the pain meds take away your appetite, so I've lost 10 pounds, most of which is probably muscle which makes me sad, but oh well. Things are just funky and it's hard to be patient, but we can do it!
Get yourself some good books and dvds to help you through. It's gonna be worth it!
-Robin
Dani | April 22, 2011 at 6:53 AM
Terra, SO funny, I was youtubing surgery related videos the other day, and I came across yours! Only I didn't know it was you until now, when I looked at your blog and saw them posted there as well. Thank you so much for following me, I will be keeping up with your blog as well!
Tara, I am 5'8" and somewhere between 130-135 right now, which is over my normal weight. I haven't worked out ALL semester, so I am thinking after surgery it may burn off more fat than muscle, and I plan on working out post surgery, so I am really really hoping to keep it off. I think you'll gain it all back if you go into surgery at your normal weight because it's the weight your body wants to be at, but I can't imagine if you went IN with a few extra pounds that you'd gain those extra pounds back, because my normal eating habits don't put me at that 'higher' weight, it's when I eat like a pig! and obviously post-op I won't be eating like a pig, so I can't imagine I will gain anymore weight than bringing me up to my normal 125. haha. I am not sure if I am making ANY sense whatsoever, I think I am talking myself in circles, but I hope you kind of get what I am saying! honestly, I wouldn't focus TOO much on trying to lose the 5 pounds, unless it happens with normal, regular exercise. I look at it in the way that I am not going to be able to eat greasy/unhealthy/crunchy things after surgery for quite a while, so I might as well eat lots and enjoy them while I can! I think you should do the same :)
Robin, Yay I am so glad to hear you are healing well! I think $2200 sounds MUCH better for the genio, so I hope that's closer to the cost for my surgeon fee as well. I am definitely dreading the effects of the upper jaw. I absolutely HATE the feeling of congestion in my nose / sinuses, so that is going to be rough for me. I think Odwalla/Naked juices are definitely going to be a fav. I am taking a class online through my University, so I will have LOTS of reading and homework assignments to struggle through and keep myself occupied, but we do have a streamer for Netflix at my parents house, so I don't think I will get too bored :) Thank you so much for your post! I am so jealous that you are 4 weeks post-op, I cannot wait for that!