<Post-Surgery>
Hello!
It’s been three months since I underwent double jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) and three facial contouring procedures at WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in December of last year.
Since the surgery, I’ve found myself taking a lot more photos.
Without the previous complexes, I feel more confident in front of people, and my personality has become more outgoing.
 
<Before Surgery>
Pre-Surgery Concerns
I didn’t have a protruding jaw when I was younger, but as I entered high school, my jaw and cheekbones started to develop more prominently.
By adulthood, my enlarged cheekbones, square jaw, and underbite became significant complexes.
I used to be told I had a cute face as a student, but after losing facial fat, I felt unattractive, looked older, and had a harsh impression.
I avoided taking photos with basic cameras, couldn’t try the hairstyles I wanted, and felt miserable during what should have been my most beautiful years.
I believed that eliminating these complexes would triple my quality of life, so I decided to proceed with surgery as soon as possible.
I ultimately chose to undergo double jaw surgery along with three facial contouring procedures: square jaw reduction, chin reshaping, and cheekbone reduction.
Choosing the Clinic
I selected WHY Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery because the head surgeon has over 20 years of experience.
The staff treats each patient with genuine care and friendliness, not just as a service.
They perform only one surgery per day, and the surgical team has been working together for over a decade, ensuring safety and trust.
The head surgeon mentioned that he’s currently at the peak of his career, which gave me confidence in his skills.
Consultation Experience
I didn’t seek consultation with vague hopes of becoming more beautiful compared to others.
I had realistic goals: correcting the misalignment of my lower face, reducing the developed square jaw and underbite, and smoothing out the asymmetrical cheekbones.
The surgeon didn’t make vague promises of beauty but provided a detailed surgical plan based on precise skeletal analysis, aiming to preserve individual uniqueness while achieving the best results.
This approach allowed me to undergo surgery without fear.
Recovery Process
Pre-Surgery Preparation:
Before the surgery, I focused on building my stamina through 5-6 months of exercise and consumed protein-rich meals for 1-2 weeks prior.
Since it’s a major surgery involving general anesthesia, I anticipated significant fatigue afterward.
In the first week post-surgery, even taking a shower left me dizzy and breathless.
Eating was limited, leading to low energy levels.
To minimize post-surgery fatigue, I recommend avoiding alcohol and overeating before the procedure and focusing on maintaining good health.
Surgery Day:
After fasting for 10 hours, I arrived at the clinic by 10 a.m., received a final briefing on the surgical plan, changed into patient attire, and lay on the operating table.
I wasn’t particularly nervous.
My family didn’t know I was undergoing surgery; I went alone.
The trust I had in the clinic made me feel at ease up until I lay on the operating table.
Day 1 Post-Surgery:
After four hours of deep sleep, I woke up with a face full of swelling.
Due to residual anesthesia gas, I had to stay awake and perform deep breathing exercises for about eight hours to expel the gas.
Shallow breathing could lead to discomfort from carbon dioxide buildup.
The pain was intense; my face felt like it was burning and about to burst.
My nose was blocked, so I had to breathe through my mouth, which was painful due to throat irritation from intubation.
I experienced constant nasal discharge and saliva, requiring frequent cleaning.
Nausea from the anesthesia gas caused dry heaving, which I had to suppress to avoid bursting blood vessels.
I woke up every two hours, which is considered relatively good.
Day 2 Post-Surgery:
The drainage tubes and urinary catheter were removed, and I could start gargling and eating.
Meals consisted of nutritional drinks like New Care, consumed frequently.
Although the pain and discomfort were less than the previous day, I still didn’t feel comfortable.
Others might bring books to read, but I couldn’t concentrate even with YouTube playing.
The nurses were attentive, which helped alleviate some discomfort.
Day 3 Post-Surgery:
I was discharged from the hospital.
The surgeon checked my condition in the morning and confirmed I was doing well.
I still felt nauseous, and having a caregiver to assist with medications, supplies, and organization at home was beneficial.
Day 4 Post-Surgery:
Swelling peaked on this day.
I continued to experience significant pain, including facial heat and pressure.
I diligently applied cold compresses initially and switched to warm compresses after days 3-4 to reduce swelling.
It’s essential to gargle after meals and consistently take prescribed medications, even if swallowing pills is challenging.
Week 1 Post-Surgery:
Stitches on the cheekbones were removed.
I began light physical activities, but after a week of bed rest, I felt extremely weak.
My weight dropped from 44 kg to 40 kg.
Craving sweets, I consumed items like whipped cream and shakes to regain energy.
I received three IV infusions containing vitamins and essential amino acids.
Week 2 Post-Surgery:
Stitches inside the mouth were removed.
I started to feel more alive and regained energy.
It’s crucial to perform mouth exercises to prevent muscle stiffness and unnatural facial expressions.
Week 4 Post-Surgery:
The wafer (a device used to stabilize the jaw) was removed.
I applied makeup for the first time since the surgery.
During orthodontic check-ups, I struggled to open my mouth wide, emphasizing the importance of mouth-opening exercises to prevent contraction.
With the wafer removed, drooling ceased, improving my mood.
Although swelling had significantly reduced, only about 40-50% had subsided, indicating the need for continued patience and care.
Don’t rush your recovery; there are many informative videos on YouTube about the healing process.
Avoid making judgments alone and seek information actively.
Before the surgery, I disliked my side profile due to the underbite and malocclusion, but now I feel much better without those issues.
One-Month Post-Surgery Photos
 
 
Changes After Surgery
Would I undergo the surgery again?
Absolutely.
Despite the challenges with eating and pain, all surgeries involve some level of risk.
For me, the benefits outweighed the risks.
Everyone undergoes cosmetic surgery to align more closely with objective standards of beauty.
However, the most important aspect is whether you feel burdened or self-conscious when facing others or seeing yourself in photos.
Eliminating such complexes can bring immense relief and happiness.
Don’t be deterred by the term “double jaw surgery” or others’ opinions.
Ask yourself, “Will I be happier without this complex?”
If the answer is consistently “yes,” this surgery might significantly improve your life.
Now, I’m more comfortable taking photos and eager to try various hairstyles.
The masculine appearance from the square jaw is gone, and I’m excited to explore more feminine styles.
Isn’t happiness about fulfilling small desires without hesitation?
Achieving this goal has increased my satisfaction with myself.
Three-Month Post-Surgery Update
After three months, most facial sensations have returned, and I can open my mouth well.
I can chew hard and tough foods like chips and meat without issues, similar to my pre-surgery state.
I underwent double jaw surgery along with cheekbone, square jaw, and chin contouring.
My face appears smaller, and although the initial recovery was challenging, I no longer dwell on those difficulties.
 
The surgery has significantly boosted my self-esteem and confidence.
While the swelling has settled downward due to bone removal, it’s not a concern at this point.
Interestingly, people around me often don’t realize I had double jaw surgery; they assume I underwent orthodontic treatment to correct my jaw.
Reflecting on the early days of intense pain, it now feels like a distant memory.
They say swelling continues up to 6 months, and I can’t wait to finish all of this!