- Day of surgery
I paid on the day of surgery, tested for antibiotic allergies for general anesthesia, and was told that they would pick up my medication if I gave them a credit card and that they would return it to me when I was discharged. After that, I went to a private hospital room, changed my clothes, took pictures, filled out a surgery consent form, and saw the surgeon once again. He explained the surgery in detail one more time, and after receiving instructions such as precautions, I went into the operating room and lied down on the operating table. A nurse was disinfecting and covering it with cloth and the anesthesiologist rechecked this and that again. I was told that the surgeon would come in, the anesthesia would start, that my arm would hurt a bit then I'd fall asleep, then I was told to take deep breaths slowly, after which, I don't remember anything... When I came to, I was in the hospital room where I had changed my clothes.

- Immediately after surgery
I couldn't remember much immediately after the surgery because I was so out of it from the anesthesia, but an elderly man came in and asked me if I was feeling okay. I asked while I was receiving treatment and it turns out he was the head anesthesiologist. As far as I remember, nurses came in every two to three hours to check my blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature, to see if the temperature of my electric blanket was okay, whether I was thirsty or in pain. When they were injecting painkillers or antibiotics, someone commented that it was dry and turned the humidifier on. They keep checking in on me throughout the night, which put me at ease and they were so friendly that I had a comfortable hospital stay. When I came to my senses after surgery, I was so thirsty, but I couldn't drink water right away, which was hard because I was told I had to wait 6 hours before I could have water. So instead, they dabbed my lips with a wet gauze, and after 6 hours, the nurse came and gave me water to moisten my throat, and I told her I felt okay, so I could drink water freely after that. They took the elastic bands off after 6 hours, but I was still a bit out of it that I didn't even know it was on. I was told to put the elastic bands on diligently even after I'm discharged because it would prevent my face from swelling more after surgery.

- Before I was discharged
In the morning, Dr. Jinsoo Lee, who performed the surgery, came and checked to see I was breathing okay, and told me that if I didn't feel dizzy after drinking some water, it's better to walk back and forth rather than just sitting. He told me to take the prescribed antibiotics well, and that I could take additional liquid painkillers for the pain if I needed to.
At around 12 o'clock, my blood bag was removed, and the friend who referred me came to pick me up so I got ready to leave the hospital around lunchtime. The discomforts after surgery were that I had a stuffy nose and my throat hurt because it was dry. I was worried that I had some bloody phlegm while gargling, but I was told that this was okay for the time being because what has been clotted would come out and that it would get better. I was also told that drinking a lot of water would make it better so I trusted what the surgeon said and decided to wait and see. After the surgery, I put two bottles of mouthwash, an ice pack, the antibiotics they picked up for me, etc. in a shopping bag, then I was discharged from the hospital after listening to some instructions.

- My condition and recovery progress by date
Day 4:
It has been 4 days since my surgery. When I was recovering after surgery, I was told that I would be the most swollen on the 4th day. And like they said, my entire face was really swollen, the sensation in my face hadn't fully returned, and I felt throbbing pain likely because incisions were made in my gums... Fortunately, the hospital prescribed antibiotics, painkillers, and gastric protection medication for 7 days, so the medicine made it endurable. It's easier to breathe and do things unassisted now than on the first 1~3 days. I used the red mouthwash that the hospital gave me frequently. When I went to the hospital for treatment, they disinfected my mouth and the sutures where incisions were made, then I went to the dental clinic area to get elastic bands put in my mouth. I was told that wearing the elastic bands would keep my teeth in proper occlusion after orthognathic surgery, and that talking a lot would stretch out the elastic bands and I'd have to keep them in longer so that I should talk as little as possible. So I spoke as little as possible and didn't open my mouth except when eating something like watery rice gruel. The nurse who treated me explained that they have a deswelling IV, so I got this wanting the swelling to go down quickly, and they also gave me de-swelling laser treatment while getting the IV, and I returned home after that. I was also told to gargle carefully so I gargled more often with saline solution. When I asked about the discomfort wearing wafers on my teeth, I was told to try to withstand the discomfort because this keeps my occlusion more stable and that braces would finish quickly. Which made me think that they were also rooting for me get attractive quickly like my friends...

Day 7:
It's been seven days since the surgery. The pain in my mouth improved a lot, I think because I gargled a lot, but my face is still swollen... I returned to the hospital and Dr. Jinsoo Lee came to see me to check my condition and wound. Then, the sutures on the incisions made on the sideburns and under my chin were removed and they disinfected my mouth. Maybe it's just in my head, but the IV made my face feel less swollen. I was worried about scarring beside my ears and under my chin, but I bought the scar cream sold at the hospital, and applied it morning and night after washing my face from the next day on.

Day 14:
It's been 14 days since the surgery. I have no problem doing daily activities alone, and all of the major swelling has gone down quite a bit, likely due to the IVs, so I look better than I did overall. It was uncomfortable not being able to talk with the elastic bands on, but I got used to it out of habit of wearing them for two weeks. I went to the hospital to have the sutures and elastic bands in my mouth removed. I think because I didn't talk much, the dentist told me that the occlusion was good, and I was so happy that I didn't have to wear the elastic bands anymore. I was told I could talk now but my mouth felt a little awkward, so I was told to practice opening my mouth gradually. I was told to practice often and eat soft porridge, so I made a mental note to buy porridge on the way home. After receiving treatment, I went to the post-care room and received ultrasound treatment to reduce the swelling. It felt a little uncomfortable where I had surgery, but the shape of my face felt more structured afterwards. The person who took care of me was also kind and explained everything one by one. Then, my consultant said they would take an X-ray to compare before and after surgery, so I had various X-rays taken and consulted with Dr. Jinsoo Lee. When I looked and compared the X-rays, I could instantly tell the difference, and it was quite clear to understand even though I don't know much about it. I was happy with the results of the surgery even before I saw my X-rays, but felt that much more satisfied after seeing it. My surgeon told me that I should practice opening my mouth so that I could fit in about two fingers so from then on, I practiced opening my mouth little by little all the way home.

1 month later:
It's been a month since my surgery. I feel good because even when I go out without covering my face doing this and that, I get told all the time that I don't seem swollen for it only having been a month after surgery. Today, I went in to both plastic surgery and dentistry, and had an X-ray taken to check my occlusion and bones. Dr. Jinsoo Lee showed me the X-ray and explained how much bone was reduced and said that my occlusion was good after surgery. I feel like it was all worth the effort, and once again, I'm so glad I went through with it.

3 months later:
It's now 3 months after surgery. As I said when it had been a month, I think it was the de-swelling IV and laser treatment that made all the major swelling go down really quickly and there's hardly any residual swelling left at this point. The feeling is still not fully restored in some parts of my face, but I'm not too worried because it feels like it's getting better. The surgeon said that most people experience this after surgery and that their senses will return slowly. At 3 months after surgery, there are no real inconveniences. I don't feel pain in my mouth or other incisions, and I think it was because I applied the scar cream so carefully that I can barely see any traces of any incision beside my ears, so I'm quite pleased at this point.

10 months later:
It's been 10 months since the surgery, and by my standards, I'm very happy with the current shape of my face with all of the residual swelling gone now, and I'm very pleased now that I no longer have the facial sensory issues and other concerns that I had initially after surgery. My slight malocclusion wasn't that wasn't severe but I don't grind my teeth anymore and I love seeing all these other little improvements when the surgery was just to improve my appearance. The only drawback of orthognathic surgery I guess would be that it takes a lot of time? Apart from the cost, I think this surgery has more benefits. Dr. Jinsoo Lee is absolutely the most skilled surgeon!!


- Eating & pain, post-care
The consultant had told me before surgery to bring milk or soy milk because I might be hungry when I leave the hospital, and I was, in fact, really starved. Eight hours after the surgery, the nurse told me I could have something not containing any solids, so had the milk I had brought but I had little feeling in my lips so I drank it little by little. The pain wasn't so bad that I needed to take more medicine or had trouble sleeping at night. It was a bit uncomfortable to sleep sitting up in the beginning to minimize the swelling, but I didn't have to sleep sitting after treatment, and they told me I could sleep propped up with a high pillow, so I could sleep well after that. On the 4th day, I received deswelling laser treatment and I also got an IV at the same time, which was really effective. While I was getting the IV, they told me to drink a lot of water, so even though it was really annoying to have to go to the bathroom, I tried really hard to reduce the swelling. I usually don't drink water but I made myself and I went in to get 5 sessions of the deswelling laser and IV, but by the 3rd session, it felt like the swelling really went down. I had the elastic bands to fixate my jaws removed after 2 weeks and also received post-care. I was told that this helps reduce swelling, and it also helps to get followup care, so I paid for about 10 high-frequency care sessions and went in regularly. I felt it working on the temples which I had been worried about and it made it much easier to open my mouth. By the time I had nearly received all 10 sessions, I was really glad I did that. It's best to get it from the 2nd week because it wouldn't have as dramatic effect if you started later. Someone else beside me was saying that she started too late and regretted not getting it sooner. I definitely recommend orthognathic or facial contouring surgery at Faceline as you can get surgery, orthodontic treatment and post-care all at one place!!