Distraction Osteogenesis

[Christian A.]

I'm having surgery this morning to implant a "distraction osteogenesis device" into my skull. Four screws will be drilled into my skull and a metal halo will be set into the front half of my head. The device comes down and hooks up to a device already cemented in my mouth. Then, over the whole summer, we'll be adjusting the appliance every day to move my upper jaw forward. That process is called "distraction," and the osteogenesis part means that as my jaw is moved forward, my body will be creating new bone for itself to fill in the gaps left behind.

Please pray that the surgery goes well and that I won't be too miserable after it's over. Thank you!

The surgery is scheduled for 8:00 EDT today.

[Sapphire]

I am praying for you, Christian A.

[Joanne]

I will be praying for you!

[stingcameron]

I'm having surgery this morning to implant a "distraction osteogenesis device" into my skull. Four screws will be drilled into my skull and a metal halo will be set into the front half of my head. The device comes down and hooks up to a device already cemented in my mouth. Then, over the whole summer, we'll be adjusting the appliance every day to move my upper jaw forward. That process is called "distraction," and the osteogenesis part means that as my jaw is moved forward, my body will be creating new bone for itself to fill in the gaps left behind.

Please pray that the surgery goes well and that I won't be too miserable after it's over. Thank you!

The surgery is scheduled for 8:00 EDT today

I will pray for you

[The Kings Daughter]

I didn't see this until now, I hope everything went well, and will pray for the process!::)

[Anna><>]

I'm praying for you too!

[Christian A.]

Thank you all for the prayers! The operation went as well as could have been expected. I spent the night at the hospital, so that the doctors could monitor my blood pressure and pain and heart rate and stuff. I'm home now, and I'm actually feeling okay. I have a headache, and probably will for a long time. And my jaw is aching as well. But that's about the extent of the pain.

This is what I look like (with my eyes covered, of course )

IMG000131.jpg (9.94 KiB) Viewed 6302 times

Thank you all for your prayers! I'll have the device on all summer, so any time you think to pray for me, I would greatly appreciate it.

[SoccerLOTR]

Oh my gosh! Sounds terrible! Hope the summer goes by quickly and that it works out well! Praying!

[Christian A.]

Thank you, all of you who prayed for me over the summer. I got the contraption off yesterday, and the doctors are very happy with the results! My family and I are still getting used to my new look, and I get to see all of my friends for the first time tonight at church, so I'm hoping they will get used to it quickly. Again, thank you for your prayers! Now I just have to hope that my upper jaw will stay in the right spot and not fall back behind my lower one as I continue to grow.

[Musical Shutterbug]

Praise the Lord! This is so great to hear...I'll continue to be praying.

[Jesus' Princess]

Glad to hear that!