Jaw Wiring

Jaw Wiring – Weight Loss Surgery Procedure – Bariatrics

If you’re considering different options for fighting a weight problem, one of the more innovative and up-and-coming procedures is jaw wiring. Jaw wiring has been used to help aid those with broken jaws for many years, but only recently has the background of this procedure been expanded to include weight loss, as a cure to help stint compulsive and overeating. This strategy is still considered experimental by some, but early results have been positive.

Jaw Wiring – Are You a Candidate?

The best candidates for jaw wiring include those people who are otherwise healthy and have a BMI (body mass index) between 29 and 40. For those with a BMI over 40, other weight loss options would most likely be a better fit. Most candidates for jaw wiring also have some sort of compulsive eating disorder, and jaw wiring is available for those who simply can not prevent themselves from overeating.In addition, candidates who do not have any serious or underlying psychological condition that would hamper that person’s ability to stick with the program. For more specific information as it relates to your situation, you should contact a board certifed doctor or surgeon.

Jaw Wiring Procedures & Risk

The risk involved with jaw wiring is extremely limited. For instance, one example of uncertainty and risk includes any situation where the patient may vomit. This is when the wires may become a choking hazard.

Where Jaw Wiring Surgery is Performed

The answer to the question of where surgery is performed is an interesting one, as it can be done either at the doctor’s office or at a dental clinic that specializes in such procedures.

Anesthesia for Jaw Wiring

As this is a common dental and corrective procedure, no anesthesia is necessary for jaw wiring. You will most likely be given a form of local anesthesia that will numb the affected area.

Planning for Jaw Wiring Surgery

Although jaw wiring is not considered to be surgery in the classic sense, you still need to partake in planning for surgery so that the process is completed smoothly. For instance, you’ll need to be ready for the temporary lifestyle changes and maintenance that is involved with managing the wires in your mouth, and your doctor will help you do so.

Preparing for Jaw Wiring Surgery

Preparing for surgery involves both physical and psychological preparedness. You need to remember that as the result of this procedure, you will not be able to eat solid food while your mouth is wired shut. Specifically, you’ll need to be prepared to completely change your diet.

How Jaw Wiring Surgery is Performed

How surgery is performed involves several uniform steps. Basically, your jaw will be wired shut as if you have broken it, and the cycle will involve 28 days of wiring and four days without the wiring.

Recovery From a Jaw Wiring Procedure

Post-op considerations are detailed in nature. Your jaw wiring program will generally last for six months, and afterwards you’ll need to maintain a regular schedule of counseling to make sure that your harmful eating habits are not repeated.

Jaw Wiring Questions & Answers

What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?
The day of your procedure will most likely entail several emotions. You’ll feel a combination of fear, anxiety, happiness, excitement and anticipation. You’ll also be curious, and these are all normal emotions. The process itself will not take long, and you won’t need to stay overnight anywhere but in your own home.

How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?
You may be sore after the procedure, which is completely normal. You will also feel quite strange, as the sensation of having metal in your mouth is not something normally felt. You may feel a bit self-conscious, but the wiring is done with aesthetics in mind and will not be overly obvious to the naked eye.

When can I pursue my normal activities again?
The course of this weight loss procedure will last six months in most cases. The cycle entails 28 days of wiring followed by four days of no wiring. You will be limited to an extent during this time as you will not be ingesting a lot of food, and your vitamin supplements and liquid diet are designed to provide you with just enough nutrition to take you through a normal day.

Where are incisions placed for a jaw wiring procedure?

Jaw wiring is not a surgical procedure by definition; therefore, no incisions are necessary. The jaw is wired shut much as it would be if the jaw was broken, and the wires are connected between the top and the bottom sets of teeth. The risk of infection and bleeding as a result of incisions does not exist with this completely safe non-invasive medical procedure.

How long can I expect results to last?
The answer to this question is entirely up to you. Going through six months of jaw wiring coupled with intensive counseling should have a lasting effect in regards to the importance of practicing proper eating habits. After the process is complete, you’ll need to maintain the discipline necessary to ensure that this process is a success.

If you’d like more specific answers to these questions, the best place to start is by consulting with a board certified bariatric surgeon, cosmetic surgeon or cosmetic dentist.