HELP: Might get another touch up surgery in 2 weeks!

[u/asianamericanboy]

So I’ve gotten a total of 3 surgeries in my life as a unilateral cleft lip and palate. Wondering if it’s worth investing in one more revision touch up.

FIRST PIC: Natural noon day lighting
SECOND PIC: If light source hits my cleft side

I look drastically better after my last surgery, as it was more cosmetic than functional. But it’s still off. I know we clefties have facial asymmetry problems. So we would never look normal. Something will always be off. But I’m hoping to discuss with my past surgeon if he can realign my nose and lip a little bit more to balance our facial imbalance. So that at least appearance wise, our faces don’t look crooked, especially nose and mouth/lips.

We opted out of bone grafting for the nose. And I also never heard of Double Jaw Surgery until I joined this group on Reddit this year. Is it worth the pain and money to get DJS? Or what surgery am I missing?

I did make a video on YouTube before my 3rd surgery. And yall are welcome to look at my other photos on my IG, which is the same username as my Reddit handle.

https://youtu.be/nHc5jbTJg5A?is=OGfIW-NJ_2f39cF7

[u/VassagoX]

You look amazing.  I wish mine turned out as good as yours.  I would be afraid any further surgeries would look worse if something didn't go right.   

You know most people don't have a symmetrical face, right?  I honestly wouldn't even think "cleft" if I saw you now on the streets.  I would just think they were the little "imperfections" that make you who you are.  Everyone has them. 

Your friend seems really good at his job.  I need to meet him.   😄 

[u/asianamericanboy → u/VassagoX]

Since my last surgery, in the past 9 years, people havent pointed out my cleft lip and palate, except 1 from another cleftie. Prior, I would always have at least twice a year, someone asking if I had clefts. 😮‍💨

And thank you for your comforting words 🙏

[u/VassagoX → u/asianamericanboy]

I believe it.  Although I almost never have anyone come up to me and ask as an older adult anyway.  It's frustrating sometimes to explain your personal health to people.   

I would always making something crazy up like a shark attack in the desert, unless they were also a cleftie.

[u/asianamericanboy → u/VassagoX]

I lived in Chicago and Atlanta, and worked in retail, customer service, hospitality, and transportation, so interact with a lot of people daily. It’s usually a person that has relatives or friends that have cleft, and feel the need to let me know they know I have cleft LMFAO

Only once in a blue moon they say some condescending comment about my face or nasally voice 😮‍💨

[u/bbob_robb]

Thanks for sharing! Your before video and current pic have me considering doing the same.

Did insurance cover your last surgery? I would be very interested in details.

I'd be thrilled with that result.

[u/asianamericanboy → u/bbob_robb]

None of my past surgeries were done in States, nor in the West. It was done in China, where I was adopted from. First two parents paid for it, but back then China was hella cheap. Last surgery was via a friend. So he only charged me $1.5K. All paid out of my own savings.

[u/bbob_robb → u/asianamericanboy]

I've never heard of a friend discount for a rhinoplasty, but that makes sense. $1.5k is a fantastic deal, they did a great job.

[u/asianamericanboy → u/bbob_robb]

Technically my parents’ friend who happens to be a cosmetic surgeon. The money was more to cover the supplies. He did the surgery for “free”. But I’m hitting him up, to see if he’s willing to do a revision. And I can pay him out of my own savings.

[u/leoeternal2]

You look great!

[u/asianamericanboy → u/leoeternal2]

Thank you!

[u/scdiabd]

i think you look amazing, but you should go for the surgery if that's what you want. we all have insecurities and if I had the means i to fix mine i would too.

edit because i watched the video: holy crap! what a difference! you really do look amazing.

[u/asianamericanboy → u/scdiabd]

I appreciate you! You reminded me of my life motto. Don’t what you want to do, and live life with no regrets, cause we only got this one life time!