Ever since I was a child, dentists would tell me I had a slightly protruding jaw.
By the time I reached upper elementary school, my lower teeth started to cover the upper teeth little by little. No matter which clinic I visited, they all told me I would probably need double jaw surgery in the future.
So in 5th–6th grade, I underwent jaw correction treatment for about 2 years to try and prevent my jaw from protruding further. At one point, my bite actually looked normal.
However, as I moved into middle and high school, my lower jaw began to stick out again, and my malocclusion worsened.
After much thought, I began researching clinics that provided natural yet noticeable results through platforms like Gangnam Unni, Babitalk, YouTube, and Yeowoo-ya.After visiting a few in person, I decided on WHY Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, where I had double jaw surgery and two-point contouring (square jaw + chin).
From the moment I walked in for consultation, everyone—from the receptionists to the dental hygienists—was so kind and reassuring.
During the consultation with Dr. Seokjae Lee, he explained clearly what needed to be corrected and didn’t recommend anything unnecessary, which gave me a lot of trust and confidence in choosing this clinic.
Before surgery, I had to do pre-surgical orthodontics for about 1 year and 2 months.
Every month, I visited for orthodontic adjustments while waiting for the surgery day.



<The Day Before Surgery>
One month before surgery, I began pre-op tests and started taking iron supplements. I also ate everything I wanted so I wouldn’t regret it post-surgery.
I even gained a bit of weight to prepare for the inevitable post-surgery weight loss!
I bought everything I needed after watching reviews and YouTube videos.
(Though to be honest, the hospital provided most things like a humidifier, pillow, cushion, etc., so I didn’t end up using half of what I packed)
What I actually used: towel, iPad, phone, charger, travel sauce bottles, extra underwear, cozy socks.
At home, I stocked up on pumpkin juice and liquid food like New Care.
<Surgery Day>
My surgery was scheduled for 10AM, so I arrived at 9:40AM.
No food or drink after 10PM the night before. After one last consultation with the doctor, I changed clothes and answered a nurse questionnaire, gargled, and headed into the OR.
I remember lying down, getting IV fluids, breathing in gas… and then nothing.
I woke up around 2:30–3PM. Everything was already done.
That first day is kind of a blur. I just remember focusing on deep breathing and listening to music to help pass gas and recover faster.
My mom stayed with me until visiting hours ended at 7PM.
Dr. Lee came by before leaving to say the surgery went well and told me to hang in there just for today. That encouragement really helped me get through the first night.
<Day 2–3>
On Day 2, they removed the drainage tubes from my mouth and nose—it felt so weird, like a snail sliding out of your mouth
But I started walking around a bit, drank plenty of water and New Care, and even watched some dramas. iPad > phone for sure!
Dr. Lee dropped by often, and the nurses were so attentive. I didn’t have much pain, just mild pressure.
<Day 3>
(discharge day), I was really nervous about going home.
But Dr. Lee checked on me one last time, removed my IV, and I was discharged after prepping slowly.
I live in a different city, so my sister picked me up. The journey back wasn’t easy, but I kept telling myself to take it easy for at least one week.
<Day 5>
Swelling was much worse than Day 4. I had bloody phlegm, mild cough, and runny nose, which was tough.
I felt really dizzy going outside, so I replaced walks with moving around the house a lot.
Sitting too long made my butt ache, so I padded with blanket and cushions.
As my nose cleared, I felt much better, but I couldn’t eat properly so I watched mukbang videos all day to cope.
But on Day 5 evening, I finally slept through the night and felt much better!
That day too: New Care, compresses, meds, some movement, and videos—that’s how the day passed.



<Day 7>
One week post-op, I went in to check the healing. I’d been eating and taking meds well and sleeping well!
But I could only have liquids, so I lost a lot of weight.
I went in at 50kg before surgery, and by day seven I was down to 45–46kg. Going out made me dizzy, so I limited walks to 10–15 minutes max—and even shorter when I felt weak.
I focused on resting and gentle movement.
On day six, the skin under my jaw turned red and felt hard, so on day 7 I went in and asked about it. They said it can happen and should go away gradually, but as a precaution prescribed anti-inflammatory medicine for a week, cleaned my mouth, gave swelling laser treatment, checked progress, and then sent me home with meds!
Until my stitches came out, I continued liquid diet, meds, and leisurely walks.
On week two, which was during Lunar New Year, I went in the Saturday before to have my stitches removed.
I’d seen many say it hurt, so I was scared—but it was not as painful as I thought!
The area under the nose stung a bit, but it was bearable.
They checked progress, gave me a deswelling laser, and I returned home!
Around week two, my dizziness decreased, so I started going out a little, but the swelling was still severe, so I avoided going out much beyond short walks.
I started eating slightly seasoned foods after suture removal—like ramen with less powder in water, cut small and swallowed. Pasta and rice were still hard, so I ate soft foods like cake, bread, especially cream soup!
<Week 3>
Around week three, I felt something hard in my cheek and was concerned. I asked the clinic and visited.
The doctor felt it and said it seemed inflammatory, so he prescribed a 2-week course of antibiotics and gave swelling laser treatment and meds.
Since then, I’ve avoided salty or stimulating foods and taken meds three times daily—I just hope the inflammation subsides!
Now with meds and care, much of the cheek pain has gone.
I'll keep taking the remaining meds diligently!



<Week 4>
Even though the swelling is quite severe and I’ve been looking in the mirror every day so it might seem unchanged, it’s only been a month, and due to inflammation, the swelling is slow to subside.
I continue warm compress, walks, and light movement without strain!
Still, I feel my face changing day by day, which makes me happy.
The first week post-surgery was truly tough for sleeping and waking—it felt agonizing.
But after resolving a long-held complex, I feel both relieved and bittersweet.
Now I understand why everyone says “just endure the first week and month”!
Double jaw surgery isn’t simple or easy, but resolving my complex about malocclusion and protruding jaw makes me happy, and as the first month ends and life becomes more bearable, I feel so glad I did it!



<2 Months Post-Op>
It’s already been two months since surgery!
The first month had many difficult moments, but over time, restrictions on sleeping and eating gradually disappeared.
Now I can eat many more foods, and aside from being careful with hard foods or actions that stress my jaw, there’s not much difference from before surgery!
When I visited for post-orthodontics, I couldn’t open my mouth fully so they couldn’t start right away—so please do mouth-opening exercises diligently!
At exactly two months, I started my part-time job, and talking and working posed no major issues! I think home exercise really helped with stamina!
Now the painful recovery period feels like a dream and I hardly remember it!
When friends saw me after a long time, they were surprised how small my face looked and how much my image changed.
Swelling and oral numbness and sensation have yet to fully return, but as time passes I feel life is becoming easier and I’m happy seeing my face seem to change every day!

<3 Months Post-Op>
Finally, three months since surgery!
Compared to one month ago, life is much more comfortable now, and food restrictions are even fewer, so I feel extremely happy!
Before surgery, I had a dull impression due to asymmetry in my lower face, but after square jaw + chin contouring, my lower face is slimmer and I love it!


Recovery still has some awkward chewing sensations, and very hard foods are still difficult, but overall I’m very satisfied!
Most sensation seems to have returned, though the lower right side of my face still feels tingling at times.
I believe it’ll come back fully soon!

Unlike before, I now don’t dislike photos or feel awkward—now I smile and feel happy taking photos!
Comparing pictures, I see every day the swelling is reducing and my face looks natural, which makes me happy!
Even though others might mock me for saying this, I feel good every time I look at my face, which gives me confidence—I find myself caring more about my appearance because I feel prettier.
Seeing the slight baby-face fullness, my parents said I look like when I was a baby haha
My family likes it and so do I. It makes me feel touched.
Anyway, I’m extremely satisfied and hope the swelling goes down soon and the full result appears!