Hello,
It's been six months since I had double jaw surgery and contouring done. ๐
Here are photos from six months post-surgery.

It feels like just yesterday that I underwent surgery in the summer and struggled with jaw fixation for two weeks, but already six months have passed, and it's winter now. I didn't have facial asymmetry when I was younger, but it seems to have developed as I grew older. Especially, I was self-conscious about asymmetry and protrusion in my photos, especially from the side view. Initially, I went to a plastic surgery clinic. The director of the clinic mentioned that to address the fundamental issue, I needed double jaw surgery. After researching online through websites, apps, and YouTube, I realized that double jaw surgery should be performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for safety and better results. I visited three oral and maxillofacial surgery clinics, and all of them diagnosed me with cases requiring double jaw surgery (asymmetry, protruding jaw, or underdeveloped jaw). So, I underwent double jaw surgery and contouring (square jaw and chin) at WHY Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery.
โ


<Before Surgery>
<Pre-surgery Orthodontic treatment>
After the initial consultation, I needed pre-surgical orthodontic treatment, so braces were installed a week later, and I had worn braces for about six months. The decision for pre-orthodontic treatment or pre-surgery was made by the doctor based on the need for post-surgical occlusal stability after making a dental plaster model, not my preference. During the six months of orthodontic treatment, except for discomfort after getting braces, it wasn't too difficult. I visited the clinic once a month for adjustments and progress checks.
<Surgery Day> 7/19
I had watched a lot of YouTube videos about jaw surgery, so I wasn't very nervous. However, I felt a bit anxious when I had the final discussion with the doctor at 9:30 AM. Then, I changed into surgical attire and went straight into the operating room.

When I entered the operating room around 10 AM, I was barely conscious of what was happening. I was hooked up to various monitors and tubes. I didn't have much awareness and endured about six hours of discomfort. Even though I was told the pain would be minimal due to painkillers, it still hurt a bit. I was so uncomfortable and restless that I couldn't sleep well. Time seemed to drag on... I managed somehow, and by 6 or 7 in the morning, I felt a bit better. After that, they removed the urinary catheter and IV line, and i went to the bathroom alone. It felt like I had survived. I stayed in the clinic for a total of 2 nights and 3 days, spent another day in the clinic, then got discharged after receiving prescriptions and instructions from the doctor. I went home by bus.

<Third Day After Surgery>
As soon as I got home, I took a shower, and resting at home made me feel like I was getting back to my normal routine. The most uncomfortable thing was that I had to keep my jaws wired shut due to IVRO surgery, so I couldn't speak and could only eat liquid food. There was a nutritional drink called New Care, which contained 200ml with 200kcal and balanced nutrients, so I drank a lot of it. I also had sports drinks, banana milk, and protein drinks occasionally, but New Care was the most satisfying. I finished two boxes of New Care during the two weeks.
<One Week Post-Surgery>
The swelling kept increasing, so I applied cold packs and continued walking for an hour in the morning and evening. (There wasn't much else to do if I didn't walk.) Here's a picture taken when the swelling was at its peak. Even though there was still some swelling, I felt like my face had gotten a bit smaller. My nose was also swollen.

During the first week, I walked for an hour with my mom and our dog in the morning and then take a nap after drinking New Care when I came home. When I woke up in between, I usually spent time playing computer games and went for another hour-long walk in the evening... I walked a lot, so the swelling decreased rapidly from the first week to the second week.


<Second Week>
This picture was taken when transitioning from the first week to the second week, and I felt like a lot of swelling had subsided. The feeling of a protruding jawbone completely disappeared, but there's a bit of swelling under the jawline. I think it'll gradually decrease over time.
<<One Month>>


After three weeks of soft food, I could chew ramen slowly. Since it was summer and I didn't want to just rest at home after surgery, I went to PC cafes to play games with friends, visited valleys with my family, and went to water parks. Of course, I was cautious in crowded places. After only eating liquid food for two weeks, I felt weak, but as I started eating solid food and going out, I felt like I was getting back to my normal routine! Also, I've started to get used to my post-surgery face, so when I look at the pre-surgery photos, the old protruding jaw photos feel awkward and strange. I think I made the right decision to have surgery. Although it's been only a month, I hope the remaining swelling will go down quickly.
<<Two Months>>
I wore a mask until about a month after surgery, but now about 80-90% of the swelling has subsided, so I don't wear a mask anymore! The remaining swelling, especially around the chin, seems to be taking a while to go down. After the surgery, many people around me said that my face had really become smaller. My mother also keeps saying that she finds my face cuter now. One thing that has changed for me personally is that when I had a lantern jaw before the surgery, I couldn't grow my hair long because it made my lower face look more prominent. However, after the surgery, as the lantern jaw was corrected, I feel like long hair suits me well, so I'm growing it out!!!


<<Six Months>>
At present, it seems like almost all the swelling has subsided, and I'm completely used to my post-surgery face and satisfied with it. Whenever I look at the pre-surgery photos, I feel that my face has become much slimmer and more refined. I'm really glad I mentioned my wishes to the doctor during the consultation that I wanted a natural look. I'm extremely satisfied with the surgery, and I've heard many people around me saying that I had a successful surgery. When I see the X-rays and bone pictures taken before and after the surgery at the clinic, there doesn't seem to be much difference, but when I look at my face, I realize that there's a huge change. A few millimeters make a huge difference. If anyone is planning for surgery or consulting, I hope they talk to the doctor a lot and have no regrets about the surgery. :)


<<Six Months>>