My Biggest Operation - Jaw Distraction
In 2001 I met Professor Haers. He is a Maxillo Facial Professor. He operated on my left jaw joint (TMJ) at the time as it had some problems within the joint and I couldn't open my mouth properly. He has done quite a few of my surgeries but my Jaw Distraction is the biggest.
Fast forward 6 years, and he was the man that changed my life. I was extremely self conscious of my side profile and the way I looked with my lower jaw being so far back - I could fit my index finger in-between my lower teeth and upper teeth when they were clenched together. I vividly remember a day before school, looking at the back of my hair and catching a glimpse at my side profile and crying. I genuinely hated it. He came to me and said there was an operation that he could do, that would move my lower jaw forward and also my upper jaw too, to improve my side profile but also the hopes of strengthening my airway to potentially remove my trachy.
This was a very daunting time. I remember my mum crying and saying I didn't need to go through with the operation (she was scared herself), I had psychological support leading up to the operation, weekly I had to see a psychologist to help me with coping strategies when thinking about my operation. I suppose knowing that you're going under anesthetic for hours and understanding your face is going to be completely broken and put back together was scary at 15!
Wednesday the 9th of March 2007, was the day I had my operation. At Evelina Children's Hospital (Guys' and St Thomas London) I remember Professor Haers came up and got me from the ward and took me down to Theatre himself with my mum. During the operation they broke my lower jaw and bought it forward 2cm fixed it with plates and screws, and my upper jaw broken and put together with some meshy type material. With my chin they broke it then put it back together with three screws - of which are still in now, however the screw heads were removed as they became loose. I also had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed during the surgery.
The operation took over 8 hours, I remember in recovery I tried to lift my head.... That was not possible. The pain!! Completely like nothing I had ever felt before. After I was settled in recovery they took me back to the ward, however throughout the evening there was alot of blood loss from my mouth. I only know this through what my mum has told me, I was in and out of consciousness. I remember people leaning me forward and seeing lots of blood and there was a slight panic... Apparently when they moved me from recovery back to the ward it just upset the stitches and made me bleed alot. They said they may have to take me to Intensive Care, but they didn't want to move me again so they bought alot of machines around my bed and moved other children on the ward out to different bed spaces. After the first night I stabilized quite well, my jaw was wired shut, I was unable to open it at all. I had 100's of stitches in my mouth as they did the operation through my mouth didn't make one incision on my face. The only scars I have are on the edge of my lips, this is where they stretch my mouth so much the lips tore, but they wanted them to tear naturally so the healing process would be better.
During:
Latest picture of me - 13 years on:
Fast forward 6 years, and he was the man that changed my life. I was extremely self conscious of my side profile and the way I looked with my lower jaw being so far back - I could fit my index finger in-between my lower teeth and upper teeth when they were clenched together. I vividly remember a day before school, looking at the back of my hair and catching a glimpse at my side profile and crying. I genuinely hated it. He came to me and said there was an operation that he could do, that would move my lower jaw forward and also my upper jaw too, to improve my side profile but also the hopes of strengthening my airway to potentially remove my trachy.
This was a very daunting time. I remember my mum crying and saying I didn't need to go through with the operation (she was scared herself), I had psychological support leading up to the operation, weekly I had to see a psychologist to help me with coping strategies when thinking about my operation. I suppose knowing that you're going under anesthetic for hours and understanding your face is going to be completely broken and put back together was scary at 15!
Wednesday the 9th of March 2007, was the day I had my operation. At Evelina Children's Hospital (Guys' and St Thomas London) I remember Professor Haers came up and got me from the ward and took me down to Theatre himself with my mum. During the operation they broke my lower jaw and bought it forward 2cm fixed it with plates and screws, and my upper jaw broken and put together with some meshy type material. With my chin they broke it then put it back together with three screws - of which are still in now, however the screw heads were removed as they became loose. I also had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed during the surgery.
The operation took over 8 hours, I remember in recovery I tried to lift my head.... That was not possible. The pain!! Completely like nothing I had ever felt before. After I was settled in recovery they took me back to the ward, however throughout the evening there was alot of blood loss from my mouth. I only know this through what my mum has told me, I was in and out of consciousness. I remember people leaning me forward and seeing lots of blood and there was a slight panic... Apparently when they moved me from recovery back to the ward it just upset the stitches and made me bleed alot. They said they may have to take me to Intensive Care, but they didn't want to move me again so they bought alot of machines around my bed and moved other children on the ward out to different bed spaces. After the first night I stabilized quite well, my jaw was wired shut, I was unable to open it at all. I had 100's of stitches in my mouth as they did the operation through my mouth didn't make one incision on my face. The only scars I have are on the edge of my lips, this is where they stretch my mouth so much the lips tore, but they wanted them to tear naturally so the healing process would be better.
I took each day as it came, I was on patient assisted Morphine. This is basically where I had a continuous Morphine infusion, but every 6 minutes, should I need to I could press a little button and get another quick top up. I do remember that I didn't cry, strangely considering how much pain I was in. I think it was day 4/5 I remember I cried, and oh my.... I soon stopped. I cried because my cannula had tissued and I needed a new one, and I was very tired and stressed, when I cried (you know you pull a face, like your mouth kind of crunches doesn't it) the stitches in my mouth pulled and I just had to stop and then it was just silent tears rolling down my face whilst I tried to pull myself together.
Due to my mouth being wired together via my teeth, I was unable to eat. I was fed via a syringe into my mouth, and at times a stool spoon. If anyone knows what they are.... Horrible. I couldn't get it out of my head that, they are usually used to pick up pooh!!!
I was in hospital for 7 days, then I came home. It was a very slow recovery, with regular check ups with Prof Haers. I was on a soft diet for months, still unable to move properly... I did not know how much your facial muscles move even when you lay down, trying to get back up you tense your face! 6 weeks post op, I sat my GCSE's. When I was writing my English exam I had to stop because my whole face was pulsating from looking down at my paper. Thankfully still managed to get a C!
13 years on from this surgery, and I have no regrets. It was very hard on me, and my family. But it really did change my life. I still lack confidence now, however I know that if I hadn't of had it I would be alot worse than I am now.
I know there are a few people that read this with children that have PRS and are worried about this operation because it is such a big change. All I can say, from my perspective. Do it, it will be so hard, very challenging on you and your child but overall it will all be worth it!
Picture before my op with my brothers:
During:
Latest picture of me - 13 years on:
This op was one of the hardest to watch from a big brother perspective! I remember when I was aloud to come and see you. I was in shock at the complete lack of communication, the pain and the wires in the jaw! It looked unatural and brutal. I am not normally a crier when it comes to Ali as we are very used to seeing her in hospital. This one got to me but it wasnt the worse one of course as its superficial kept telling myself that 😅. So proud of how you were a complete boss at 15 bongo!!
ReplyDeleteWell no reason to be self-conscious now 😎 You are absolutely stunningly beautiful!
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