A young woman named Maddie has gone viral after sharing a video of her transformation relating to jaw surgery. The videos have garnered over 30 million views and take followers on a journey from before, during, and after her procedures.
Elective Jaw Surgery
Maddie explained that she needed double jaw surgery to correct “lower jaw deformity.” However, the procedure was elective, a choice she made to feel better about her appearance. Her procedure took around 4 hours, but the results were incredible. Maddie added that her braces, which she’d worn for a year, came off and would go back on her teeth for six months afterward.
Support from Others
Her transformation caught the attention of viewers, who were incredibly supportive of the young woman’s jaw surgery journey. “So happy for you!! You’re glowing!!!!” said one follower. Another added: “Seeing your happiness grow in each clip is a joy to witness! So happy for you!” Meanwhile, a third person explained they also need jaw surgery but are apprehensive because they “don’t want to get braces again, noting that Maddie “looks so good!”
A Common Need
Interestingly, Maddie isn’t the only person to share a jaw surgery transformation on TikTok, Rather, a young woman named Virginia shared her own journey, requiring upper and lower procedures. Like Maddie, Virginia also needed braces to help aid her transformation. Both women came out confident and happy, inspiring others who may need to undergo jaw surgery but are apprehensive.
Post-Jaw-Surgery Diet
Jaw surgery can cause several disruptions to daily life including diet. For example, Maddie also shared that her diet consisted of only liquids for the first week and a half. She ate only broth and yogurt. However, in the second week, her diet went from liquid to “soft“, including oatmeal and eggs.
What to Expect Regarding Jaw Surgery
Unsurprisingly, a procedure like this disrupts more than diet. It takes around three months to recover fully, according to BrunoOrtho. The website also shares that during this time, “tissues and new bones form around the newly repositioned jaw bone.” There are several reasons one might undergo a procedure like this, including electives like Maddie and Virginia. Here are a few other reasons:
- Over or under-bite
- Open bite. (A condition in malocclusion, the front teeth of the upper and lower jaws do not overlap.)
- Crossbite
- Genetic disorders such as cleft lip or Pierre Robin sequence.
- TMJ
- Disrupted sleep
Before and During Jaw Surgery
Before deciding to have jaw surgery, a patient will take X-rays to “examine facial skeletal structures.” Then, an orthodontist will create a “detailed assessment” and a treatment plan. The patient will be given general anesthesia, and an orthodontic surgeon typically performs the procedure. Moreover, the surgeon often makes incisions on the inside of the mouth to prevent scarring but may also make small incisions on the outside of the face. The jas bones are then “repositioned or aligned according to the treatment plan or requirements.” In some cases, skin grafting may be required. Either way, the incision will be “sutured” or stitched.
Modern medicine is capable of accomplishing incredible things, including saving lives and performing elective surgeries to help people gain more confidence and, in many cases, a better quality of life.