yeah, I'll probably be on a **** load of antibiotics.

 

So what is the clinical term for your cranial facial issue?

My son was born Pierre-Robin Syndrome. For those that may not know it is a cranial facial disorder that affects the lower jaw line, and is usually combined with some sort of cleff lip issue, breathing issues due to the small lower jaw, and heart murmer. My son had a cleff palate, he was only born with the soft palate not hard. back in 1999, he was the youngest child ever to have mandibular distraction, 5wks old. Basically, they cut his lower jaw bone in half, attached 4 pins to fore and to aft connected by and adjustment rod. They stretched his lower jaw 1.5mm three times a day. They did this to a maximum of 23mm, almost an inch. All while he was sedated and unconscious in the ICU. Basically, living off the vent. them he got a trach, then a G-tube....Poor kid has had 7 major surgeries before he was 2. However, the doctors did a wonderful job. We are blessed to live in thisday and age of modern technology. Here is a scanned copy of the pictures from the magazine, Tender Loving Care, that he was featured in. There is a post OP and Pre-OP. The picture of me holding him is when he had his NG tube and the distraction pins still in his jaw. The other pic is of momma and morgan this July 4th.

Your surgery will suck, and so wil lthe recovery process, but the end result will always be worth it. You will be in our prayers.

 

oh boy that looks like fun

 

Wow, my problem does not even compare with what your son went through. I don't know if there is a clinical term for my condition other than I have a crooked bite. Looking at me, I look fairly normal depending on who you ask... When I was younger, I wore braces and elastic bands to correct my bite. Over the years my jaw shifted back. To fix my problem permanently, I have to reshape my jaw so I can close my mouth comfortably. If I don't something now, I run the risk of wearing out my teeth, living with migraines and not being able to close my mouth correctly. It took me awhile to swallow this procedure, but I know it will be worth it.

Glad to hear your son is doing well.

 

One Caution -
Do not get sick and vomit when you have your jaw wired shut. You can choke to death.
You'll be alright - Don't let everyone scare you. Morphine drip is your friend! And the Famous Morphine Button Box is also your friend.
It's the MASSIVE headaches, vomiting and withdrawls afterwards that suck.

Good Luck,
LOLA

 

mmmmmmmm, morphine buttons I wish they'd give me morphine box to take home!

 

Thanks he is doing great....

Heres to a speedy recovery for you.

Now, once your done playing patient, maybe you could design an intercooler pipe set for us 1.8 guys!

You know, get back to all the important stuff, the stuff that matters.

 

Haha, will do A 1.8 intercooler and downpipe are the plans this winter. My car will be used for mockup so I don't want to take it apart again until the summer is over. Also, I haven't had much time between this surgery, wife being pregnant and building a house. Everything seems to happen all at once.

 

hey john, did you have any luck getting insurance to cover the jaw surgery?

 

100% covered. I have pretty good health care coverage. I hope your gf doesn't have to pick up the bill. This surgery can get pricey:(

 

great healthcare is always key.....Morgan spent almost 6mths in the hospital....Went in when he was 5wks old, got out at almost 7 mths....We stopped counting the mdeical bills when it reached over 900k..... We paid like 35k of that....He 3 wk stint in the ICU alone was like 150k or some astronomical amount like that....Basically, it was like 3k per day for the bed alone, all the meds, the med pole, the Vent, It was like 7k or 8k per day. Then the rest of the time he spent in the SKU, which is one level above ICU, still a 1/1 ratio patient to nurse. Chaching.....I literally have a million dollar boy, and I wouldnt have it any other way.

 

Get this: her insurance company (Mamsy at the time) approved the surgery. They were going to cover the whole thing. A week later, her work switched to a new insurance. And they wont cover it. She's appealed a few times and is still working on getting them to foot the bill. LAME.

 

Insurance is rediculous. My (former) carrier was BCBS. They agreed to pay for my foot surgery when the podaiatricts's office manager called to confirm coverage, then denied payment after the surgery was performed. The pod wanted to knock me out for that surgery, but I declined and had him administer a beta blocker. Otherwise, I'd have an anesthisia bill to cover too.

For my knee surgery, I had to pay $1000 or so for the surgeon, and BCBS picked up the rest. Don't remember the amount, it was around $75k I think. They paid $1500 or so to the anathesiologist too. But then they denied payment on all of my doctor prescibed physical therapy, even though my coverage specifically stated they would cover it, and they agreed to cover it over the phone before treatment. It's all bullshit.

 

Guess who her new insurance is Ben...

 

How long was she enrolled in her old healthcare plan for? We renew our healthcare plan year to year. If this was a pre-existing condition and she already committed to the surgery, she should be covered in her new plan. I'd raise hell if they turn their backs to her.

 

I hope you like soup.

You'll be fine.

 

Handsome kid. (and mom's pretty stacked too )

 

Insurance companies(all of them) are ridiculous. BCBS, I have heard is the worst. My sister in law had them when she tore her ACL on a skiing trip. Again, approveed the proceedure, then paid only a portion and claimed the rest was over R&C. BS...

 

Stripes are you still eating through a straw?

 

you understand that BC/BS is more like a huge network of different companies, and not just one, right?