My name is Jenny and I am a soldier in the United States Army. Yes, soldiers can have TMJ problems.  I am married and have one dog named Merlin (my second partner in crime). My story started out about six years ago when I had my initial bi-lateral sagittal split osteotomy.   I never had TMJ disorders or even heard of TMJ until then.

In 2003 while in the Army, I was given the opportunity to get braces. Since I wanted braces from the time I was a kid I thought why not, they’re free. Little did I know that I would need corrective surgery to complete my treatment plan. Between the years of 2003-2004 my treatment went along without any flaws until the day of my initial surgery which was a BSSO (bi-lateral sagittal split osteotomy). The day of surgery I had major complications which led my oral surgeon at the time to believe I would need a second surgery to correct the rest of my defect. Later that year, I had to do a change of duty station and my treatment and braces came off unexpectedly.

Once I arrived at my new duty station I was placed back in braces and a second surgery was planned to correct the defect. Little did I know that I would have a long road ahead of me with many surgeries that were complicated with hardware failures and TMJ problems. My surgeries have ranged from BSSO (bi-lateral sagittal split osteotomy) to a lower jaw reconstruction then to a partial joint replacement. In order to see my current provider I have to drive over 100 miles each way. I also fly to another clinic to see the provider that performed my joint reconstruction. To date I have been diagnosed with and suffer from TMJ disorders, chronic facial pain and nerve damage. 

I have a strong support channel.  My husband has been through a lot with me.  I have to thank him and my family for keeping my spirits high. And my dog Merlin has kept me strong.

Many people ask if I would have the surgery again if I knew then what I know now. My answer is, I don’t know. I truly have mixed feelings. When I look in the mirror and see the scars and the facial deformity I want to say no way would I ever do this again. Then I think about how this has made me a stronger person and how I would have never met some of the people that I did. The one thing that my mom keeps telling me is that “God would never give you anything he thought you couldn’t handle.”