Cosmetic Surgery on NHS

behave

I've been referred to a cosmetic surgeon for my nose and chin. It is psychologically affecting my life, it's holding me back so I need to fix it. I was told I qualify because my PCT supports my case. But there is a bigger issue than that, the problem is my jaw, its disproportional, and I have underdeveloped upper jaw. So I need advice as to would I qualify for Orthognathic (Jaw Surgery) on NHS or do I need to go private? And what are guidelines? Please help me out with this!

McKneff

Why not ask the same people who are supporting you for the other things, they know you, they can see you.

Hope everything goes okay for you.

behave

I have not been seen for other things because I don't want to do those things and still be left with a messed up jaw, why I'm delaying it.

brook2jack

The referral you have should be to a maxillo facial surgeon who will also be the person who could tell you if you would benefit from orthognathic surgery. If your jaws are disproportionate then your nose and chin may not necessarily need surgery .However as this is not as simple as just moving jaws about but also very often involves moving teeth to fit with new jaw positions this is a long and complicated process , not entered into lightly and normally will involve you having to see a psychologist before going ahead with treatment.

So first things first and see the maxillo facial surgeon first and discuss all the problems you think you have and get an overview of everything as a complete treatment plan. Then you may have to see if your pct will fund a rather more complex treatment plan.

pmduk

The longer you leave it the more you risk being told you won't be funded. Partly because they are constantly looking for areas to cut and partly because there may be an argument that if you delay it too much the psychological problems can't be too bad. just don't give them the ammunition.

McKneff

The above 2 posters have probably forgotten more than I know about this.

I just came back to give you a ((((hug)))

My very best wishes to you.

Annie.

brook2jack

Ask your gp for advice. They will probably have a good idea of local surgeons, hospitals etc.

pmduk

Ask your GP first which surgeon he would recommend for this procedure. This may dictate which hospital you choose. If the surgeon operates at more than one location ask for the surgeon's advice.

London_Mum

As brook2jac said - it is a long and complicated process. A friend of mine had it done abroad, lost over 20 pounds after surgery, couldn't eat, very long recovery (said cleaning her mouth after each meal was so hard that it was easier not to eat at all...) She also had underdeveloped upper jaw.

Pennylane

No it's not My friend's adult daughter had this op and it has transformed her life.

You do sound very confused about this but you already have your referral in the pipeline. Go back and see your GP tomorrow and tell him how you are feeling because you're telling us on here and we can't do anything to help you, much as we'd love to.

Are you talking to your parents about this because if you were my daughter I'd be down the GPs with you tomorrow. I do know about the anxiety because I've had it for the last year following a terrifying incident which happened to me. I have been having counselling and reading up lots about it and you just have to try and "float" through an anxiety attack and tell yourself that it will soon be over. And it is!:)

Are you on any medication for this because that might help. Please come back on and tell us how you are doing.

BitterAndTwisted

behave wrote: »

err its probably to late for me now... im severely depressed.. and no surgeon would want to operate on me...

NO! It's not too late. It's never too late to strive for a solution. Of course you're depressed, you're carrying a very heavy burden, you need the surgery. Be candid about how your need for this course of surgery is affecting how you feel and how very important it is to you. If they have half an inkling that you'll be able to cope with things as they are you could be treated as a lower priority. I know this from bitter experience, albeit not maxillo-facial surgery.

Why do you think no surgeon would want to operate on you? That you don't need the surgery? Well, you ruddy-well do and that's that. That what you need is too complex? Surgeons love a challenge: the tougher the better. That's why they become surgeons in the first place.

Go to your referral and get the treatment you want and need.