I have disappointed my followers and I apologize. I should be updating you all. On a better note, I’m about to provide you with some great excuses for my lack of blog writing. Are you ready?
Being a senior in my last semester in College I am plagued by the “Final Senior Project.”
“What is this?” You ask.
“Perhaps a ten page paper? Maybe its a grant proposal? Oh I remember the days when I had to write those 20 page papers. What a pain right? Hahahahaha”
No.
My senior project involves writing a book. Yes, a book….like the ones in waiting rooms which BY THE WAY considering Dr.Chira, Dr,Mac, AND Dr, Gunson and Arnett have waiting rooms, they can all expect a copy of my book. Im sure the patients will enjoy reading about prisons, I know I do.
Anywho’s my book has been my life these past weeks. And yes I know its been more than just weeks since I’ve written but I have other stuff to do people. Dont guilt me. (I already feel really guilty 😦
So for some entertainment I thought I would provide you all with an email I sent Kim (Dr.Gunsons assistant/my personal knows-the-answers-to-everything person.
Hi Kim,
How is everything over there? Over here I’m as stressed as can be. I’m working on my final senior project, a 120 page book. I get home from working at about 4 am in the morning followed by a morning class that I drink what I would feel are illegal amounts of coffee to stay awake through the class.
It’s breaking me down slowly but I shall not allow it to hinder my life!
Just had my first anxiety attack in a while. It involved me leaving the library as fast as possible, racing to my car, skipping stop signs and almost hitting curves. This was followed by my immediate reaction to….jump into the shower? Brushing her teeth, my roommate just kind of stared as I ran past her STILL dressed and just said “ANXIETY, MUST TAKE A SHOWER.”
Anyway’s, apart from me being stressed and erratic I have a few inquiries for you.
Am I still doing 20 minutes of jaw exercises three times per day? Because frankly finding the time to do the exercises is a HUGE struggle. I understand if its required and you know me, always followin’ the rules!
That’s my only question for now 🙂 You can tell Dr.G I am giddy with the thought of being able to see him in May! (yay) Perhaps you could come to!? I mean I AM graduating like, a week after! Break out the wine, woo hoooo. (Just kidding 😉
Thank you for your expert advice xoxo
Ashleysjawsurgery 
Ashley, I was so excited to find your blog! I am also a college senior, aiming for surgery before the end of the year. I’m still deciding whether to go with Dr. Gunson or a surgeon in my hometown (I’m from California, and Dr. Gunson’s practice is about an hour from where my parents live). Both doctors have good reputations, although obviously Gunson is the world-famous one.
My jaw is class III, and both surgeons want to move both of my jaws (and they both agree on the number of millimeters). Both surgeons have also said that my teeth are in really good shape, so I should only need braces for 4-6 months prior. I don’t have joint problems, just muscle tension and lots of sinus/breathing issues, which would hopefully be taken care of by the surgery.
The main difference between the two surgeons’ approaches to my case (besides price and distance, which is a big issue for my family who will be paying and taking care of me!) is that Dr. Gunson wants to give me a slight cheek augmentation (I have very flat infra-orbital rims, apparently), whereas the doctor in my hometown just wants to fix my bite, arguing that he doesn’t want to make me look like some overdone Hollywood type (“like a Cabbage Patch doll,” to use his words). Dr. Gunson argues that a little more cheek will balance out the shape of my nose (I have a strong nose, but not an objectionable one. I don’t want to change it, even though some of my family members think I should. One surgery is enough for me, thank you!). Lately I’ve been leaning towards Dr. Gunson’s approach: if I’m going to go through all this trouble and will already be on the operating table, I might as well make my end result as good as possible, right? I understand that having fuller cheekbones will be helpful when I start to age.
I was wondering if you considered any other surgeons besides Dr. Gunson before making your decision, and (if you don’t mine me asking) whether or not there were any cosmetic considerations in your case (genioplasty, cheek augmentation, etc).
If you know of any other patients of Dr. Gunson’s with similar cases to mine (female, early 20s, underbite) who have blogs, please let me know!
Best of luck with your continued recovery!
Michaela
michaelashaw.harpist08@gmail.com
Hi Michaela!
So glad that you found my blog. I was always so happy to find anyone getting jaw surgery who had something remotely in common with me.
I understand how the cost of the surgery is affecting your decision. It really is a huge expense but….its so worth it Michaela! I You said you had some breathing problems which is what I had too. I can tell you that today I can sleep 7 hours and actually function. This used to NEVER happen before surgery ebcause my airway was just too small. I never thought I would notice a change in my breathing but I really really do.
I dont want to tell you that your doctor closer to home won’t do a good job but I can tell you that Gunson is the best.
As for the cheek augmentations, I know a lot of patients who have gotten them and it never makes them look “fake” and just bad in general. Gunson looks at your whole face and just wants to make it the best he can but in a natural way. My sister has been saying I should get a nose job for a while now and when I was getting surgery she said “why dont you ask them to just fix your nose a little” haha. I have a French nose but its not the worst at all. Anyways, I asked Gunson who honestly said that he thought my nose was fine, no need to change it. Another doctor would probably have said, yes make it less wide etc.
Let me know if you have other questions. I’m going to look into other blogs from people in similar situations as you!
Good luck 🙂
Thank you so much for your response, Ashley! What you said about sleeping really
I am thrilled to report that I have decided to go with Dr. Gunson! I am scheduled to get braces on August 1st, and will apparently only need them for 3-6 months (my childhood orthodontist set me up so well for this)! So I’m crossing my fingers that I might be able to get into surgery before the end of this year! Hoping to have it done around the holidays so my family won’t have to take as much time off of work to take care of me.
What you shared about finally feeling rested after a full night’s sleep really resonated with me! I never wake up feeling rested, so I often sleep less than I should because I don’t feel a difference between a “full” night’s sleep and five or six hours (I’m just always tired). I don’t have sleep apnea, but I’ve been told that my breathing is “labored” in my sleep. I’ve also always been really short-winded, so no matter how hard I train, I’m always the slow kid. I’m really hoping that after surgery I’ll finally be able to see results for all the hard work I put into exercising!
Congratulations on your graduation! I just graduated, too! I’m sort of bummed to be moving home because of the surgery (instead of heading off to real adult life), but I am just so excited to finally get the ball rolling on this whole silly thing so I can move on with my life and the bite I was supposed to have!
So happy you chose to go with Gunson. You won’t regret it! And yes, it sucks to have to do the surgery because you will have to take some time out for it but at least when you’re done you can get the ball rolling…fast.
You are so lucky to only have to wear the braces for such a little time. Im sure your results will look beautiful!
Best of luck 🙂