<Before Surgery>
I had no idea I had facial asymmetry for most of my life. I was never really interested in my appearance until my second year of high school when I took an ID photo. Seeing myself in the camera shocked me—my face looked completely different from what I saw in the mirror. That was when I realized I had facial asymmetry, and it became a lingering insecurity.
As time passed, I finally decided to address this issue with surgery. I first considered double jaw surgery in December when I was 25. I did extensive research on Naver and other platforms, looking into reviews, costs, and potential side effects. That’s when I came across WHY Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Something about it felt right, so despite living far away, I went for a consultation.
During my first visit, the clinic took photos, and both the consultant and surgeon analyzed my face. They confirmed that my case required double jaw surgery. I expressed all my concerns, and they listened carefully. Sharing my long-time insecurity with professionals who understood it was incredibly relieving.
The surgeon spoke realistically about the procedure but gave me a sense of trust that made me feel comfortable leaving everything in his hands. With his extensive experience, I felt reassured and left the consultation with a clear decision.
PreparationI underwent one year of orthodontic treatment before the surgery. Although I was eager to have the surgery immediately, pre-surgical braces were necessary. A month before the surgery, I went through wafer production, blood tests, and internal medicine evaluations. The clinic staff provided detailed guidance on pre-surgery preparations, which helped me get everything in order smoothly. I stocked up on essentials like pumpkin juice, nutritional supplements, baby toothbrushes, and sauce bottles to be fully prepared.
 
Day of Surgery (1/2)
I arrived at the clinic at 9:40 AM, slightly earlier than my 10 AM appointment. After changing into hospital clothes in the inpatient room, I had a final briefing with the surgeon before entering the operating room. Since I had no guardian with me, I felt a bit nervous, but the staff assured me they would take good care of me.
I lay down in the operating room, received the anesthesia injection, and drifted off without even realizing it. When I woke up, I felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort. While there was no pain in my face, breathing was incredibly difficult due to the tubes in my nose and mouth. The surgeon checked in on me, reassuring me that the surgery went well and that there was minimal bleeding. However, the first day was tough—I felt weak, my head was heavy, and I struggled to get any rest.
 
Day 2 (1/3)
At 8 AM, the urinary catheter was removed, which made me feel a lot more comfortable. Half an hour later, the nasal tubes were also taken out, allowing me to breathe much more easily. After receiving post-op swelling treatment, the surgical drains in my mouth were also removed. It felt so refreshing to have these removed one by one!
I had my first meal—liquid nutritional supplements (Newcare). Though I had no appetite, I forced myself to drink it, knowing that proper nutrition was key to a faster recovery. My throat was swollen, so swallowing was slow and difficult. Despite being exhausted, I couldn’t sleep well due to the need to remain upright. I kept waking up every hour and tried to distract myself by watching YouTube.
 
Day 3 (1/4) – Discharge Day
Despite how slowly time passed, discharge day finally arrived. At 8 AM, the staff provided detailed post-discharge care instructions. By 9 AM, the IV drip was removed, and I received another swelling treatment. After changing into my own clothes and packing my belongings, I was officially discharged!
Returning home, the first thing I did was take a shower—it felt amazing after three days without one! I carefully tilted my head back while washing my hair to avoid nosebleeds. Though I was cautious, I still experienced some mild bleeding. The exhaustion caught up with me, but I had to continue sleeping upright for a few more days. I diligently applied cold compresses and followed all aftercare instructions. Meals remained liquid-based, consisting solely of Newcare.
 
Day 5 (1/6)
 
This was when my swelling peaked. Seeing my extremely puffy face was both surprising and amusing. Since it was winter, I couldn’t go outside much, but I still managed to take a 30-minute walk every day. I also started using warm compresses for swelling. By this time, I noticed yellow bruising on my face, but I wasn’t too worried since I knew it would fade naturally.
 
Week 1 (1/9) – First Post-Op Visit
A week after surgery, I had my first follow-up appointment. Since I also had cheekbone surgery, the stitches near my sideburns were removed. Thankfully, it wasn’t painful—just a slight pulling sensation. The doctor also disinfected my mouth and provided another swelling treatment.
 
Week 2 (1/16)
By the second week, the swelling had noticeably reduced. This was also the day for removing the stitches inside my mouth. Based on reviews, I expected it to be painful, so I mentally prepared myself. Although it was a bit uncomfortable, the surgeon worked quickly, so the discomfort was short-lived.
After the stitch removal, I was finally able to eat soft foods like noodles and porridge. Eating something other than liquids for the first time in two weeks was pure bliss! The surgeon also advised me to start lip exercises and opening my mouth, so I began incorporating those into my routine.
Week 3 (1/23)
 
By the third week, my swelling had decreased significantly, though it was still uneven due to my initial asymmetry. Despite this, I could see progress day by day, which kept me motivated. My upper and lower teeth were now perfectly aligned, which amazed me! Although my cheeks still had some swelling, I knew it would take 6 months to a year for the final results to settle.
 
At this stage, I could carry out my daily activities without any issues. I continued walking for at least 30 minutes a day and diligently drank pumpkin juice every morning and evening. I was curious to see how my face would continue to change in the coming months.
Week 4 (2/1)
 
A whole month had passed since surgery, and I was finally free from the wafer! During my follow-up, the surgeon took X-rays and CT scans to check my progress. He confirmed that about 40-50% of the swelling had subsided and that everything was healing well.
 
I resumed my orthodontic treatment and started practicing opening my mouth more. Initially, I was afraid it would hurt, but surprisingly, it wasn’t painful. The doctor advised me to keep working on my mouth-opening exercises. Now, all that’s left is to patiently wait for the rest of the swelling to disappear!
 
Thank you for reading this long post—I hope it helps anyone considering double jaw surgery!