You'll find hundreds of files on cleft lip, cleft palate here on widesmiles.org.

This one is about: Jaw Advancement

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***** TWO POINTS OF ONE VIEW ***** 
    Experiences of major Cleft Palate Surgery - Jaw Advancement
    by Craig Weschke

I had the great opportunity to work with Dr Sachs, Dr Drew and Dr Schwartz at the New York Center for Orthognathis and Maxillofacial Surgery. Working for them was unique. Why? Anybody could have worked for them and would have left learning and knowing a great deal about orthognathis and maxillofacial surgery. But this simply was not enough for me. I wanted to become a part of the process and learn more of what I would eventually experience, because I have an extreme interest in medicine and want to be a doctor myself one day.

I have a cleft lip and palate and originally went to see Dr Sachs for a correction of my jaw deformity. With him and his team and excellent staff I began the long process of preparing for surgery. I first had to get braces to align my teeth properly for the surgery. With the talented help of my orthodontist, my teeth were ready for surgery less than a year later.

Braces are necessary to this operation. They ultimately helped the surgeon align the jaw for the completion of surgery. Since I have an interest in medicine and wanted some experience, I asked my doctor if I could work for him during my Christmas break from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He agreed. I couldn't wait to start working at his office!

It was interesting because I know everything that I would learn would not only be of interest to me because I want to become a doctor, but also because I knew I was going to have the surgery. I had the chance to work at the office, see patients, and also see actual operations in the operating room at various hospitals in the area. It was my first experience in the OR and I was very thankful for having the opportunity to even work in the office.

Looking at what actually happens to the jaw during surgery was a bit overwhelming to me at first, but it made sense as I learned more about why the doctors performed in the way they did. Every action in the operating room has a reason to it and I always wanted to know what that reason was.

The first time a person enters an operating room it is something they just do not forget. For me it was an exhilarating experience beyond belief. I don't think I have ever felt more "alive" in my life. I immediately fell in love with Medicine. However, I know that I had to be composed and mature for what I would be seeing. I admit it was difficult at first, but I was able to put the discomfort behind me and proceed. After that day, all I wanted to do was see operations in hospitals, and I did! Through my vacation working for the doctor, I was able to observe surgeries every day or every other day. As time progressed, however, I eventually had to go back to school and finish up the second semester. And my own surgery was coming up in June.

In preparation for my own operation, I still had those braces on and was seeing Dr Sachs and my orthodontist regularly to make sure things were going according to plan.

One thing I wondered a lot about over the next few months (and my parents wondered as well) was , would I be scared and nervous, or relaxed without fear, for the surgery on my jaw, since I knew and had seen the things I saw. I didn't quite know the answer to that question. I thought about it a lot. Would working with them help me or hurt me?
 
Initially, I was not scared. I knew who was doing the operation well and I knew how well they all worked together. I was confident in them 100%.

As school ended and my operation was near, I couldn't help but think more and more of the operation. Up until the day of the surgery I was still fine and not worried. I was a little anxious, though - I wanted to get this thing done!

The morning of the surgery I was tense with anticipation. I also knew that from the reading of my blood pressure at the hospital! I had to realize one thing; I am a human, with a human heart! I didn't try to be this super person with NO FEAR written all over my body. If I was nervous and scared I would have admitted it.

The only time I truly was absolutely scared out of my soul was when I cranked open those doors to OR #1, the place where so many times I was on the other end. Well, now it was my turn to be the patient. Quite plainly, there was nothing I could do. I wouldn't run like the devil. I wanted to stay there and face the anxiety and all the emotions that I had, right in the face. And I did. What scared me, though, truthfully, was the finality of it. It didn't hit me until I laid down on that operating table and stared right into those big, powerful operation lamps that hung from above. It all hit me right there and then.
 
The operation involved cutting and moving my lower jaw, my chin, and my upper jaw, including the cleft. A unilateral cleft makes the upper jaw actually separate in two parts. This further complicates the operation, as now the doctors must maneuver the upper jaw in two parts. All of these segments are moved around in a pre-determined plan until the desired fit of the jaw is in place.

After the surgery my jaw was wired shut for two months. To supplement eating, I drank high caloric shakes and other liquids, such as Ensure and Sustacal. It is not easy and my jaw as of this writing is still wired. I'll never forget this wonderful experience!

It is not understatement that the patience of the doctors I worked with was incredible. Having to watch out for and be responsible for me in the operating room, and in the office, I know was not easy and represented more pressure for them. They always had time for me and my numerous questions. The respect they showed to me will never be forgotten. The experience definitely had a profound impact upon my life.

I think often if one day I can achieve and be only half as good as they. If so, I will be an experienced, caring and successful doctor.

------------Persons interested in contacting Craig Weschke can do so by writing to his email address at weschke@aol.com