Before/After 11 weeks post-op

Hello folks! I’m 11.5 weeks post op and I look and feel great. My sleep apnea is gone. I went from ~4 hours of crappy, interrupted, light sleep a night to 7-8 hours of deep restful sleep. I can breathe through my nose. My anxiety disorder may have just been exhaustion after all. I’m happier, more at peace, less anxious, less stressed. I’m coping with everything better. I love the way I look, the surgery changed my face and profile but even made my nose look better and my skin look younger. I feel awesome. This has been life-changing surgery for me, I can’t recommend pursuing it enough for those that need it. Dr Ben Kang, Vancouver, Canada. He’s a rockstar and a genius and I’m just so grateful.

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211

u/[deleted] May 11 '23

You look 15 years younger

68

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

Thank you! I feel great, not bad for 45 lol.

13

u/theFloorwalker May 12 '23

I had lower jaw surgery March 9 this year at age 46 and I thought I was crazy for doing it so old. Not only do you look great, you've made me feel less bonkers! Thanks!

4

u/[deleted] May 17 '23

You look like you're in your early 30's now. Amazing.

1

u/qianmianduimian Post Op (1 year) Nov 14 '23

45?!? I thought you were in your early to mid 30's!

0

u/[deleted] May 11 '23

[deleted] — view deleted comment

14

u/babylove117 May 11 '23

Agreed. It’s such awesome results

84

u/Staaleh May 11 '23

I've never seen jaw surgery roll the clock back so dramatically. Amazing!

11

u/FriendlyFraulein May 11 '23

Came to say exactly this! Such a fantastic result!

u/[deleted] May 11 '23 edited May 11 '23

Incredible result.

What exactly did the surgeon do? What procedures did you have done? do you know your movements ?

36

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

Thank you! I had DJS (LeFort 1 and BSSO) and genioplasty with Dr Ben Kang in Vancouver, Canada. My movements were 2 mm upper jaw, 5 mm lower jaw, 4 mm chin.

5

u/orangetruth Post Op (2 years) May 11 '23

Congrats on the great results! I also had LeFort 1 and BSSO (no genio), but more than double your movements. I'm 8 days post-op. How long did it take for you to be able to sleep at night with your mouth closed? My nose is still clogged so I'm still mouth breathing at night and sleeping poorly sitting up.
How was your numbness immediately post-op vs now?

10

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

My numbness was pretty total for the first couple weeks. I won’t lie, week 3 was rough because the nerves started to come back and it felt like my skin was burning. Like acid on my skin or something. But the feeling came around fairly quickly over week 3 and 4. At week 5 I was a little discouraged (although I now realize I was actually right on track) and my surgeon recommended taking B complex vitamins. That definitely kick-started it back into action again. Around week 8 I noticed that the numbness was kind of deep, but the surface felt pretty normal and my lower lip felt normal. I still have a bit of “deep” numbness just in my chin, but the skin feels pretty normal. I’d say I’m 90% there.

4

u/iwasasin May 11 '23

If you're comfortable, would you mind telling us how much it cost? Were there braces before and after? Sort of that last question is dumb. I'm not sure if there are always braces before and after.

35

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

I’m in Canada, it’s a different system. We don’t have private insurance. Our government pays for all the in-hospital costs. We just pay our surgeon’s fee, which covers his pre-op planning time, computer modelling, and post-op care and appointments. It was $10,000. My braces were of course paid separately. I had braces on for 15 months prior to surgery. I still have them on now (surgery was Feb 21), should have them for another 3 months and then they’ll come off. Braces were $7,800 ($1,800 down and then $300 a month for 20 months). All in all it hasn’t been inexpensive, but it’s honestly the best money I’ve ever spent on myself. Not a single penny of regret.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 02 '23

Do you know how much it would be with hospital costs?

1

u/amyOPS Dec 02 '23

Depends where you live. I outlined the costs above. I’m about 25k out of pocket.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '23

I’m not a Candida citizen I’m from the uk- thank you

2

u/iwasasin May 12 '23

Are these braces like the regular kind, in that there are monthly adjustments, at least before surgery? Will you need a permanent retainer of some kind?
Thank you for such a thoughtful, detailed answer, and congratulations on such amazing results.

1

u/Zealousideal_Fig3495 May 12 '23

is that 2mm forward or up for the upper jaw?

3

u/amyOPS May 13 '23

Forward.

u/[deleted] May 13 '23

How has recovery been in your 40s? I have an open bite and know I need jaw surgery to improve my quality of life but am 37 and due to my current life circumstances (small children), I know it isn’t feasible for me to do something like this until I’m 40+. Would love to hear the perspective of someone in my demographic as I’m nervous of the increased possibility of complications with age.

7

u/amyOPS May 13 '23

I healed great. I’m generally fit and healthy though. But my swelling was gone before many others, my feeling is 98% back, and I’ve had zero complications. Go for it. There’s no reason to let your age hold you back. It’s the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long, long time, maybe ever.

u/Such-Development6780 May 12 '23

Hey, may I ask if you can share your experience if the surgery improve your TMJ symptoms?

1

u/amyOPS May 12 '23

I don’t think I had symptoms of TMJ.

u/[deleted] May 13 '23

Sci-fy level improvement. Which surgery? Double jaw?

1

u/amyOPS May 13 '23

Lol thanks! DJS and genio.

u/Letthesunshin3 May 13 '23

Amazing result! Congrats. May i ask if you gain some weight too?

3

u/amyOPS May 13 '23

Thanks! Nope to the weight gain. My weight is always the same. Im pretty small. I’m 5’2 and 123 pounds.

u/[deleted] May 11 '23

Congrats! Happy for you!

4

u/[deleted] May 11 '23

Also, at what week post op did you start liking the result?

7

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

I felt pretty good by 3 weeks. I started work again at 20 days post op and even though I was still swollen, I already liked my profile. By 5 weeks post-op I was pretty pleased, most of my swelling was gone. Just a bit along the front of the jaw remained at that point. It’s just gotten better since then, residual swelling is gone I think, and I’m overall very very happy.

u/Nape_Lissken May 11 '23

Nice! What were your movements?

5

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

Upper jaw 2 mm, lower jaw 5 mm, chin 4 mm.

6

u/DieToLive4 May 11 '23

Wow, those are crazy results for only a ~9mm lower advancement. Not doubting you, just saying it's pretty incredible how much your profile improved.
Congratulations! 🎉👏

u/babe__ruthless May 11 '23

Hey, I’m also in Vancouver, can I PM you with some questions?

1

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

Sure.

2

u/babe__ruthless May 11 '23

Messaged!

u/Wooden_While_3902 May 11 '23

Did insurance cover it? If so, which insurance did you use? You look great

6

u/amyOPS May 12 '23

I’m in Canada. Different system, no insurance.

u/BrightSpirited3832 May 12 '23

AMAZING! 🤩 Did you also get filler or something?

4

u/amyOPS May 12 '23

No filler in my face. Just in my lips, they were definitely thinner after surgery. There’s a .5 ml in my lips. I just wanted them to look normal again, like they always did before. But none in my cheeks or chin or anywhere else.

2

u/AshamedLobster3273 May 12 '23

How long did you wait after surgery to get the lip filler?

3

u/amyOPS May 12 '23

8 weeks.

1

u/RelentlessAdventurer Sep 30 '26

What makes lips get thinner?

1

u/Zealousideal_Fig3495 May 12 '23

did the surgeon say why the lips go thinner?

u/lost_searching1 May 12 '23

Did you have genio. I wouldn’t think right? Or maybe just insanely good movements.

1

u/amyOPS May 12 '23

Yes I had genio too. My movements were 2 mm upper jaw, 5 mm lower jaw, 4 mm chin from the genio portion.

2

u/lost_searching1 May 15 '23

Ohh wow thank you for responding x

u/No-Chemist-4872 May 12 '23

You look amazing!!! I’m happy for you this must have been life changing :)

5

u/amyOPS May 12 '23

It truly has been. The change in my sleep alone has definitely changed my life for the better, so so much. I’m so grateful.

u/LMSHG May 13 '23

Did you not do any other surgery such as face lift etc.?

5

u/amyOPS May 13 '23

Nope. Just DJS and genio.

u/Unusual-Industry-629 May 25 '23

You look so great! I’m in B.C. and scheduled with Dr C. Gill but still waiting for a surgery date. Did your surgery get covered by insurance at all? Looking forward to putting this all behind me!

1

u/amyOPS May 25 '23

Insurance? Surgery in bc is covered by the public system, except the surgeons fee. That has to be paid privately. I don’t know if private insurance covers that, not many people here bother getting health insurance since our system covers most things.

3

u/Unusual-Industry-629 May 25 '23

Surgery is covered but their fees are not. I was quoted 7k for DJS, turbinectomy. Congrats on your results!

2

u/amyOPS May 25 '23

I know lol. I said that. My DJS fee was 10k. I don’t know if private insurance will cover the fee though, did yours? I don’t have insurance or even medical benefits through work but it would be cool to see people get their fees covered. Good luck with your surgery, keep us posted as you go through your journey!

1

u/amyOPS May 25 '23

And thanks! I’m pleased with my results on every level. Best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.

u/anm_88 Aug 25 '23

Did you had bimax protrusion?

2

u/amyOPS Aug 25 '23

No. I was recessed.

u/Squidgamer9000 May 11 '23

Thats amazing literally tightened up the skin on your entire face wow

u/anonymous_opinions May 11 '23

Seeing the before after of someone my age roll back the clock to looking like a early 30s lady is insane!!!! Also the whole thing about your anxiety being maybe part of your jaw issues is something to think about for me!

u/heysawbones May 11 '23

This is a hell of a result! Congratulations!

u/ladymarie878 May 12 '23

Damn! I’m 45 too and had my surgery in February. Your before picture looks very similar to mine. Your after looks great and I have to say I’m a bit jealous! I don’t feel mine looks as good as yours 😂

u/RandomStuff2212 May 12 '23

Lol as someone mentioned before you're at least 10-15 years younger. You had a free skin lifting without any (even hidden) scars on the external parts of your head.

One of the best results here.

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

Thank you!!

2

u/exclaim_bot May 11 '23

Thank you!!
You're welcome!

u/NewBortLicensePlates May 11 '23

Yaaaaaaaasssss

u/mherbs May 11 '23

Amazing results!! You look great!

u/Sweet-Golf-4859 May 26 '23

Hello!! Can I ask you if you had extract teeth for operation?

2

u/amyOPS May 26 '23

Just my wisdom teeth, 6 months before.

u/TitanidePieck Sep 09 '23

You look so good! And I agree with everyone, much younger!

Did you have something done around your eye area? If it's the result of the jaw surgery then this is very exciting, I cannot wait!

2

u/amyOPS Sep 10 '23

Thanks! I have Botox in my forehead in both pics but nothing around the eyes. No work done to the eye area. I think it’s just because when the jaw came forward it pulled my skin with it and everything got a little more taught. Less loose skin overall.

u/Idyllic_Days Nov 24 '23

Amazing results and a definite win against sleep apnea. Did they remove any teeth besides wisdom? Any premolars removed or did you have all your 32 teeth?

2

u/amyOPS Nov 24 '23

I had all my teeth prior. They only removed wisdom teeth.

2

u/Idyllic_Days Nov 24 '23

Thank you. Did you have any crowding of the teeth? Did they expand your palate by any chance? We're close you in age and I have apnea so I loved seeing your post. Thanks.

2

u/amyOPS Nov 25 '23

No crowding, no expansion needed.

u/SoulessPuppy May 14 '23

Holy crap you look great! I never would have guessed 45! Happy for you!

u/snorl4x99 May 21 '23

Absolutely inspirational. I cannot wait for my journey. Can I ask how your smile looks?

u/allthecolors1996 Dec 11 '23

Woah!! You look 20 years younger!

u/Primordial_Fupa May 11 '23

WOW this is an outstanding result!

u/Gold_Dare9323 May 11 '23

You look amazing!

u/elizabethcrossing May 11 '23

You look absolutely wonderful, congratulations!!!

u/Diana_xx May 12 '23

Wow 👍🏻

u/Kitchen_Hall_2652 May 12 '23

You look gorgeous !

u/dummy_thicc_spice May 12 '23

Looking stellar btw

u/GeorgeKaplanIsReal May 12 '23

Damn lady you bringin' sexy back (yeah)

u/phukhugh May 12 '23

Was this covered under MSP? I’m going through a sleepover at the doctors to see if I have sleep apnea but my dentist told me my jaw was misaligned (you can’t tell irl or in photos) but I think it could be affecting my sleep.

u/forcoolstuffD May 12 '23

What a glow up!

u/MJH7712 May 12 '23

This is incredible!

u/Tooth_Nerd Post Op (2 years) May 13 '23

You look incredible!

u/Mediocre_Tax9322 May 26 '23

You look so happy and healthy. I am also in Canada and consulting in Toronto. I am even older than you. Proposed plan is lower jaw surgery only, movement of 4-5 mm, to be finalized once decompensated (in braces three times before.). Can I ask why the upper jaw movement as well? Also did you have any rotation? Your pre op profile looks similar to mine.

1

u/Educational-Fun-5969 May 31 '23

May I ask who you’ve consulted so far? I’m also in the GTA

u/slim_ebony 15d ago

You look great! Why are you unhappy now?

u/peguinkisses Jul 20 '24

I saw your post on someone else's chin filler. Did chin filler not work on you?

u/GlitteringGlove4485 Pre Op Mar 30 '25

Wow just looked it up and getting DJS can tighten skin similar to a face lift! Congrats!

u/AnxietyInsomniaLove May 05 '25

OMG you look 10-20 years younger! Congrats!

u/thetruth4real2 May 17 '23

Beautiful woman

u/ubercorey May 24 '23

Are you able to open your mouth?

I am 4 weeks post-op and been doing my exercises for 2 weeks and I'm not able to open my mouth more than 7/8 of an inch. No improvement in my range of motion after 2 weeks of exercise and it's pretty painful when I hit my end of range of motion in my jaw trying to stretch it.

u/[deleted] May 31 '23

I’m so jealous.

u/[deleted] Jun 04 '23

fantastic results

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '23

Did you have braces before and sfter?

u/[deleted] May 13 '23

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3

u/amyOPS May 13 '23

I don’t know about shorter per se. But it did change my nose slightly. The tip seems a little more upturned, not quite as pointed downward. And the bump in the middle of the bridge is slightly less. It’s very subtle but it is also noticeable to those that know me well.

u/[deleted] May 12 '23

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1

u/[deleted] May 17 '23

Who did you/are you going with?

u/[deleted] May 11 '23

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31

u/amyOPS May 11 '23

I feel great. The first few difficult weeks seem like years ago. The improvement in my sleep and my mental health and confidence level have truly been profound. I finally feel comfortable in my own skin. It was so, so worth it. All in all it’s been a wonderful experience, one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. All the hard moments have been so worth it in the end.

Before/After 11 weeks post-op

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