I have a big defect in my face due to horrid bone loss because of a cyst that went septic and had to be surgically removed. Along with a few teeth. I am only in the beginning stages of a long journey to eventually have implants done (4). The bone loss is too much to take bone from my jaw, so the hip it seems it will be.
I am having to pay for this privately so it's a chunk of money, and I have had a second opinion (first surgeon wanted to take bone from both sides of lower jaw and chin, which I thought quite excessive cutting in the mouth). This surgeon doesn't think that is the best route as will affect my appearance and feels I don't have enough bone in the jaw to sacrifice.
If you have had the hip graft, can you talk me through the healing process, I think I'll be in hospital for 2 days with a drain. He said I may battle to walk for a while and may need a walking aid 👀.
I'm a single mum to two DC, older so they can help, but now I've just thought about if I'll be OK to drive, and just lots of things running around my mind about the recovery. I already know I won't be able to exert myself (jog, run, exercise) for 3 to 6 months.
I can't believe that one stupid abscess has caused so much trauma. I just left it over lockdown, but I really should not have as now I'm in a right state.
He says it really needs to be my own bone as the area is too big to fill with synthetic or the other available options.
If anyone has had this done, would you mind sharing your experiences. I need to be fully aware of what to expect. There is just so much now I wish I asked the Dr, but typically I thought of loads after I left.