I spend a lot of time thinking about what I hope my end result will be like. I look at morphs of my face I like a lot. I also go to park's website and look at his work.

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If anyone here knows anything about SEO or ad optimization and would like to make a little money PM me.

Thanks guys. You do make some good points. I'm going to try and focus on (and visualize) a successful outcome. Even if it is going to take me about a year, I guess it's worth it now so that I can reap the benefits sooner than later in life. I've gone most of my life without a chin, what's another year? I'm very much a believer in energy and thoughts becoming reality which is why I want to get into the right frame of mind before I go forward and make big decisions.

Since my condition is medically necessary I'm also going to focus on how good I will feel after the surgery. It's the only cure. And to know there's a big cosmetic benefit is exciting.

Thanks!

much more sane to question, debate with yourself, play through possible outcomes etc if it means you come to an informed and sure decision, aware of the risks and benefits and possible trade-offs, or compromises..

for me the decision-making process is very stressful - as is the immediate post-operative "wtf have i done?"

i think yours is a perfectly normal and healthy response to some of the uncertainties. when i had to have some revision work done that was by no means a sure thing i kept a list of pros and cons and added to it when i had doubts. i think the results were middling but by then i had known that was a likely outcome..

do what you can to empower yourself to make the right decisions, if that means a little bit of worry along the way don't beat yourself up for that

sorry i am writing in cliches..ack..

Thanks guys. It makes sense........ I guess, I'm just trying to plan everything out in my mind so I'm not left surprised when I finally get everything done. It's like dealing with insurance is one big issue, finding a new orthodontist is another, and accepting the fact that max fax is going to be a long recovery. I mostly feel like I'm purposely going to miss out on one more year of life stressed out, looking worse, and recovering by pursuing surgery. It doesn't make any sense since going on the way I am now will only be worse in the long run regarding my physical and mental health.

I guess I'm just angry I have to go through all this because the medical community was so blind to not catch how interconnected all my problems were sooner. All my problems stem from isolated medical judgement. That's why I'm into naturopathic holistic health these days. For God sakes my ortho is the one who said I was fine and all I needed was a chin implant. My ENT was the first to tell me my jaw was deformed. I recently found out my ortho's not even board certified (which is a voluntary process but alludes to some degree about his ability) and he's not listed on the orthodontic specialty website nor the ADA which I find fishy. Not to mention a google search brings up civil suits brought up against him for financial problems. Basically, I feel like I have just been one big dollar sign to doctors my whole life, even to my PS. He recently told me he would agree that my jaws as a whole were recessive BUT that max fax was painful and hard etc..etc...etc... blah blah blah. This is AFTER he put in the chin implant.

Anyway, sorry to get all emo on here and start venting but I get so frustrated sometimes. I'm just gonna continue to visualize a successful outcome. Thankfully, a dentist friend of mine spoke to a max fax faculty member about my issue and he recommended someone who he feels is on par with arnett/gunson. This guy is in my state so maybe that will help the insurance situation.

Thanks again!

Miss J,

It's pretty disappointing knowing that doctors (people you should be able to rely on) do in fact see patients as employment opportunities. I guess I'm more upset because I don't personally operate that way in life. Anyhow, you and your board have a tremendous help. I'm still planning on a personal analysis as soon as my pocketbook allows. Traveling for consults gets expensive!

siredred3: About your the ortho who recommended the implant - OMG.

But you have to put that behind you! We don't always think about running a search on every specialist/doctor/health care person we see!

If I had a nickel for every *elective* procedure that I've done that had a downside to it, I'd be RICH - in nickels!

I definitely feel that most members of the medical profession see us patients as isolated cases. Wait till you're over 80, in the hospital, and maybe even have a durable medical power of attorney lost in your file cabinet at home. You will have every Dr. Tom, Dick and Harry administering treatments in isolation - which may even prolong your life without your even wanting it.

But I am getting carried away. That is years off. Just relax, focus on THIS year, a GOOD outcome, and dammit get it all done. Sounds like you're on the right track with the recommendation you just got. And if you have insurance to cover it ... well, you've won the lottery.

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I Bug U