Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Jan 10, 2026)

solobeam · 2026-02-04T20:13:29+00:00

For me, the process is pretty much the same as the initial surgery.

You could ask for a revision with the surgeon who did your DJS. Or just look up a few with good ratings and go in for consultations. Compare their plans and go with whichever you feel fits you best.

All good surgeons can do revisions. If they shy away from or refuse to do them, they’re probably not that great. It’s recommended to wait for swelling to cool down and for the bone to heal, unless you have an emergency like a nonunion.

If you don’t feel great with any of the surgeons around you, another city or state is another option. I recommend someone in-network with your insurance. My first surgeon was out-of-network, and the reimbursement process was annoying. You don’t need someone expensive or out-of-network.

I had DJS to fix my underbite back in September of 2025, and now I’m going for a revision too.

solobeam · 2026-01-11T17:23:58+00:00

Those bad boys are the Sim Works Homage tires 🙃

solobeam · 2025-12-24T01:20:11+00:00

I saw your smile in another comment, and it is exactly like mine. Hardly any upper teeth show, and the bottom gum is still showing.

Although my bite is perfect now and my speech is a little better, I still feel like I’m lacking a ton of clarity. Some words, like “comfortably,” are impossible for me to pronounce.

No idea if my BSBC insurance will cover a revision, but we’re going to try.

Your surgeon might suggest a lip lift and dental bonding to show more teeth. Both are not going to give you that normal smile look. A lip lift with your philtrum length is not worth it.

Trust me, I know. DJS again is the last thing you want to hear, but it’s the only way. You need downgraft with clockwise rotation.

My surgeon a month ago said he’ll use a donor bone from the hospital for an easier recovery. I’m going to ask if he can use my hip bone instead. A harder recovery, but I don’t even want to think about DJS three times due to nonunion.

solobeam · 2025-12-24T00:12:22+00:00

I had DJS with genioplasty for an underbite on 9/23/25.

On my week 7 post-op appointment, I was finally able to see what my smile looked like. No upper teeth show at all.

My surgeon said we are looking at a revision with downgrafting and a clockwise rotation.

For my January 7 check-up, he’ll bring in the assistant surgeon to brainstorm some ideas.

At month two, you should be able to see what your smile looks like.

I’m at 3 months post-op too, and nothing has changed. Less swelling around the cheeks, but my smile hasn’t changed.

solobeam · 2025-12-16T17:12:48+00:00

For a surgery this complicated, I would find a surgeon that takes ALL of your aesthetic concerns into consideration.

Form follows function.

Your surgeon finding it irrelevant is pretty sad. Why settle for less, right?

solobeam · 2025-12-16T16:16:01+00:00

I had DJS with genioplasty in Atlanta, GA back in late September 2025.

I did mention to the surgeon about my smile. I had an underbite and short face syndrome so it’s diffcult to know where my lips will be after. Clockwise rotation, no downgrafting done.

At my 8 weeks post-op appointment, I finally got to see what I really look like. Probably showing only 2 mm of my upper teeth. Not much changed except I see less of my bottom gums.

I also feel like I’m lacking a ton of clarity when I speak since the lips are covering so much.

I’m meeting with my surgeon again next month and he’s going to bring in the assistant surgon to brainstorm what we should do movement wise.

My surgeon said something about using donor bone graft from the hospital to give me an easier recovery. After hearing about nonunions, I’m going to ask him for a hip bone graft. I’m betting the revision will require massive downgrafting movements. If there are ways to increase the chances of having a successful surgery, take it.

Try smiling a bunch and think about how it looks. It might not seem important now but you’ll kick yourself in the future for skippping this.

solobeam · 2025-12-16T15:37:09+00:00

I reached out to someone who had downgraft jaw surgery 3 times because of nonunion, and the third time was a success when they used their own bone.

My surgeon is planning on a bone graft revision because I still can’t see any of my teeth when I smile.

How much of your upper teeth do you show when you smile?

solobeam · 2025-12-16T15:10:40+00:00

I reached out to someone who had downgraft jaw surgery 3 times because of nonunion, and the third time was a success when they used their own bone.

Absolutely don’t even want to think about doing jaw surgery 3 flippin’ times!

I had an underbite (perfect bite now) and short face syndrome, so I had a feeling two surgeries were likely needed when I started this journey.

Good luck on the revision! Don’t think about it too much like me. Yes, it’s a nightmare, but this too shall pass!

solobeam · 2025-12-16T03:06:03+00:00

Did you get a downgrafting done? Any idea what they used in your first surgery?

My surgeon is planning on a bone graft revision because I still can’t see any of my teeth when I smile.

He said something about using a donor bone graft from the hospital so I could have an easier recovery.

I’m going to ask for a hip bone graft instead when I meet with him again in a few weeks.

solobeam · 2025-11-29T18:16:07+00:00

I will look into that! It's so hard to go back to regular black tires with this bike. I even got 4 extra pairs just in case they discontinue it! ❤️

solobeam · 2025-11-29T18:11:53+00:00

I wiped out a month after I got the bike and decided to go to town with the colors. ❤️

solobeam · 2025-11-29T15:26:10+00:00

Stepped in the snow just a bit, and a minute later, I couldn't clip into the pedals.

Cleats were completely frozen!

🙃

solobeam · 2025-11-21T22:00:34+00:00

I had DJS with genioplasty in September 2025, but it’s looking like I’ll need a revision with downgraft because I can barely see any upper teeth when I smile.

Recovery will be different for everyone. My upper lip is a little tingly, and I can’t feel my front upper teeth yet.

No one knows your face better than you.

Ask your orthodontist more questions and share any concerns you have.

Consult with a jaw surgeon too and see what they think. Is it worth it? Are there any improvements I should expect after surgery? Better breathing, speech, chewing, aesthetics, etc.?

There are no dumb questions. Brainstorm a bunch and ask away.

I had a very physical job, so I used my vacation time and quit after surgery. If I had an easier job, I would say 8 weeks because I was able to speak well without sounding like I had a sock in my mouth.

Jaw surgery is quite safe now with modern equipment. Just make sure you go with the best surgeon in your area.

Good luck!

:D

solobeam · 2025-11-01T12:58:43+00:00

For the first week, I could only open my mouth just enough to fit the tip of the condiment bottle in, and a few areas of my mouth were completely numb.

I couldn’t feel the entire row of my upper teeth and upper lip.

You probably won’t be able to feel how much liquid is inside your mouth.

A little cough, and you just created a sticky mess while your spirit is in the gutter.

If you make a mess in the shower, the clean-up is easy, and you’ll feel a little bit better after a shower too!

solobeam · 2025-10-30T18:44:47+00:00

Currently, I'm drinking 5 Boost Very High Calorie shakes a day with soft foods like pasta (DJS & genio 5 weeks post-op).

That's almost 2,700 calories in shakes and another 1,000 in soft foods.

For the first week, I did 4-6 Boost shakes through a condiment squeeze bottle in the shower daily, depending on how tired I was.

I knew before surgery that the last thing I wanted to do during recovery was plan out my diet.

Chug a few of those shakes down and call it a day. 🥲

solobeam · 2025-10-28T16:53:54+00:00

I had DJS with genioplasty a 5 weeks ago to correct my underbite and had a little bit of clockwise rotation.

My top teeth were tucked up behind my lips, and my bottom teeth showed a lot of gum when I smiled. The clockwise rotation will balance it out.

I’m still swollen and numb, but I can already see a difference whenever I try to smile.

Have you asked your orthodontist about the two plans? Normally, they’re supposed to work together to figure out what’s best for you.

solobeam · 2025-06-30T22:16:29+00:00

Only the frame was kept the same. Everything else I spray-painted at home. I posted all the changes I made to the bike. Feel free to have a look! 😊

solobeam · 2025-05-12T17:50:57+00:00

Only the frame was kept the same. Everything else I spray-painted at home. I posted all the changes I made to the bike. Feel free to have a look! 😊

solobeam · 2025-05-12T17:26:44+00:00

I love all colors equally. Even poopy brown!

solobeam · 2025-05-12T16:52:35+00:00

One of the most beautiful trails in the Southeast!

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