Since middle school, every time I went for a dental check-up, I was told that I was a candidate for double jaw surgery. Back then, the perception of the surgery was that it was very risky, so I was too scared to even consider it as a student.
After entering university and becoming more concerned about my appearance, I started thinking about getting braces. However, whenever I consulted with dentists, they all said I was a candidate for double jaw surgery. They mentioned that proceeding with orthodontics alone could have a negative impact on aesthetics, which left me contemplating the decision for a long time.
After getting a job and entering a workplace environment, as well as meeting new people through events like blind dates, I started to realize that I was much more self-conscious about my teeth and jaw than I had initially thought. This realization made me aware that my confidence was suffering because of these issues.
Initially, I was overwhelmed by the idea of surgery and wanted to improve my appearance through orthodontics alone. I researched extensively and consulted with various dental clinics, but apart from one, they all diagnosed me as a surgery case. After 5-6 years of serious consideration (and more than 10 years if I count from my middle school days), I finally decided to go ahead with the surgery.
Once I made up my mind, I did a lot of research on YouTube, various apps, and Naver Cafes, and read many reviews. I decided that the surgery had to be done at an oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic, and I focused my search on clinics that offered collaborative orthodontic care.
I visited several clinics for consultations, and it was Dr. Lee Seok-jae at WHY Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery who left the best impression on me. His confidence in the surgery, precise diagnosis, clear explanation of the surgical methods and process, short recovery time, and the kindness of the coordinator, along with the clean hospital environment, all contributed to my decision.
Working as a nurse at a university hospital, I was concerned about the difficulties I might face returning to work post-surgery. The short recovery time played a significant role in my decision, and the consultant was extremely considerate, helping me adjust the surgery schedule for a long time and responding promptly to my inquiries. This allowed me to comfortably set the surgery date.
Despite the challenges of coordinating with my work schedule, constantly adjusting the date, and not being able to communicate for long periods, the staff was very accommodating, allowing me to book the surgery on my preferred date.
 
[Before the Surgery]
I began fasting, including no water, from midnight before the surgery to prepare. After reading various reviews, I packed only the essential items for my clinic stay, as I didn’t want to carry too much on the way home. I packed minimal items like cotton swabs, towels, a mirror, socks, tissues, and hair ties. However, the clinic provided everything meticulously, so I didn’t even use what I brought. They were amazing.
I also prepared drinks and nutritional supplements like New Care to have at home after discharge, and I headed to the clinic on the day of surgery.
 
[On the Day of Surgery]
Although I had no prior experience with general anesthesia and work in an environment where I constantly see surgical patients, I wasn’t particularly nervous or scared.
I arrived at the clinic around 9:30 AM, changed into the patient gown, and had one final pre-surgery consultation with Dr. Lee Seok-jae. We discussed the surgery plan and my desired outcomes in detail, which was reassuring. I was called in for anesthesia a little after 10 AM, and that’s when I started feeling a bit nervous. But before I knew it, I was asleep as the anesthesia kicked in, and I woke up around 2:30 PM, back in my room after the surgery. Dr. Lee personally came to explain that the surgery went well, which gave me peace of mind.
I underwent the surgery and was discharged without a caregiver. After surgery, it’s crucial to stay awake and practice deep breathing to fully recover from the anesthesia, but since I was alone, I kept falling asleep despite my efforts. The nurses frequently checked on me, waking me up and encouraging deep breaths, which helped me recover from the anesthesia. They also took great care of my hydration, pain control, and suctioning, so I didn’t feel uncomfortable or struggle much even though I was alone.
Before the surgery, I was most concerned about breathing and pain, as many reviews mentioned these as the most challenging aspects. However, since I didn’t have intermaxillary fixation, breathing was comfortable, and the pain was well-managed with a patient-controlled analgesia pump and attentive care from the nurses. While post-surgery fever is expected, I struggled with it a bit more because I wasn’t doing deep breathing well. The nurses provided an electric blanket when I was cold and frequently checked my temperature, administering antipyretics as needed. They were incredibly kind and attentive throughout.
 
[Day 2 Post-Surgery]
In the morning, the nurse removed my urinary catheter, which was slightly uncomfortable but not painful. Later, Dr. Lee came by to remove the nasal tube. I was worried that breathing might become difficult after removing the tube, but the nurse reassured me, and it turned out to be fine. Removing the tube wasn’t painful either. Dr. Lee also removed the drainage tube from my mouth, which was more uncomfortable than painful. Afterward, I received anti-swelling laser treatment and learned how to use the wafer to adjust my bite. Initially, the wafer felt uncomfortable, and I wanted to stop using it, but after being told it was a necessary part of the process, I stuck with it and eventually got used to it.
On this day, I began walking exercises and was able to start drinking New Care. It was incredibly satisfying to finally eat something.
Since the following day was a public holiday, the coordinator kindly provided me with my discharge medication in advance and had the pharmacist explain it to me in detail. Although I had another bout of fever at night, the nurse kept replacing the ice packs and administering antipyretics, which helped me manage the discomfort. Despite frequently needing assistance, the nurses were always kind and attentive, making sure I was well taken care of.
 
[Day 3 Post-Surgery]
It was the day of my discharge, and my caregiver came to pick me up. I had a final consultation with Dr. Lee in the morning, where I discussed the fever issues again. He reassured me that I could take additional antipyretics with my discharge medication, so I later purchased extra antipyretics from the pharmacy.
 
[After Discharge]
The swelling wasn’t too severe until about day 5 or 6 when it peaked, causing significant facial tenderness. After discharge, I struggled with nightly fevers, which was challenging, and since taking powdered or tablet medication was difficult, I bought children's ibuprofen syrup, which was effective. The dizziness wasn’t too bad, and the pain was manageable with the included painkillers. The brownish, sticky nasal discharge was frustrating because I couldn’t blow my nose, and sleeping in an upright position caused back pain. I highly recommend having a backrest cushion for support.
On the seventh day post-surgery, I had a follow-up appointment at the clinic. I received another anti-swelling laser treatment, had my stitches cleaned, and practiced removing and reattaching the wafer. I was thrilled to finally be able to brush my teeth with a small toothbrush—it was such a relief.
At the two-week mark, I returned to the clinic for another check-up. I had another anti-swelling laser treatment and had my stitches removed, which was slightly painful. The doctor also encouraged me to start doing mouth exercises, which made me feel even better. I’m really looking forward to finally getting rid of the wafer. I’m scheduled to start wearing braces about a month after surgery.
The first week after surgery was tough, but it wasn’t as difficult as I had imagined. Looking back, I wish I had realized sooner how well I would recover and how satisfied I would be with the results. Although it’s a major surgery and requires careful consideration, if this issue is causing significant stress and is necessary for your treatment, I think it’s worth making the decision to undergo the surgery at a trustworthy hospital as soon as possible. Recovery tends to be faster when you’re younger, too!
 
Thank you for reading this long post, and I hope it helps those who are considering surgery!