I am not an expert on this topic, but it seems to me that the risks of surgery on the maxilla generally outweigh the benefits in all but the the most overt cases of facial deformity, and surgeons are reluctant to perform the procedures without a significant rationale. There are three different levels of maxillary surgery that move incrementally more of the midface. The less invasive option is less risky, but also less cosmetically impactful and potentially counter-productive. The more invasive option has more risk for neurological and other complications and is generally only performed for developmental abnormalities like midface hypoplasia, or to reconstruct traumatic deformities, etc.

Possible? Perhaps. 

I’m disinclined to suggest doing it. At first glance, I like the mindset this question has. Potentially, the surgery creates a very malleable skull! But no thanks.

I’m inclined to recommend not having the surgery, so there’s my bias.

(albeit years ago I told myself I’d do it myself  now I’ve changed my mind as I’ve learned more and more)

I think about nose surgery. Now, I had a septoplasty a year ago, but I’d considered just doing a rhinoplasty at the same time to get aesthetic improvement! So I read up on it. Read accounts and stories. Etc etc.

IIRC In the aftermath of surgery on the nose, the doctors emphasize leave it exactly as they placed it, right? Sometimes there’s a “cast” etc etc.You gotta sleep sitting up.  It is in delicate equilibrium after said surgery (presumably!) and any force added onto it may create an undesirable result on the nose.

The mouth/jaw seems a place where the stakes are even higher.

Mewing like we advocate for here.. may create growth. I admit it may make it possible to expand more. Or maybe it’ll rip the screws out of your skull! Idk. I imagine you’d be a pioneer in the sense of no way of knowing safely — prior.

I’d also imagine the discomfort (regardless of what dose of meds you took) wouldn’t be enough to make mewing comfortable. Make it less productive than hoped for.

There are times my skull hurts from mewing without the added bonus of recovering from surgery.

could you Mew after jaw surgery? Perhaps. But I’m not in favor of it.

What about for someone who had surgery 10 years ago? I too have plates and screws in my face from my surgery. I'm sure my bones have long since fused. My doctor told me he could remove them if I ever wanted if they aggravated me.  I have been being very attentive to my tongue posture lately, even though I do believe the surgery instantly made it easier for my tongue to position correctly in my mouth. Perhaps I have proper tongue posture now. I feel as though my face doesn't move when swallowing. I continue to be hyper aware of it. I often wonder if my tongue/swallowing can strengthen more and if so,  it (jaw movement/expansion/growth) is even possible  since I had surgery. 

Posted by: toothfairy

What about for someone who had surgery 10 years ago? I too have plates and screws in my face from my surgery. I'm sure my bones have long since fused. My doctor told me he could remove them if I ever wanted if they aggravated me.  I have been being very attentive to my tongue posture lately, even though I do believe the surgery instantly made it easier for my tongue to position correctly in my mouth. Perhaps I have proper tongue posture now. I feel as though my face doesn't move when swallowing. I continue to be hyper aware of it. I often wonder if my tongue/swallowing can strengthen more and if so,  it (jaw movement/expansion/growth) is even possible  since I had surgery. 

I would guess that unless the hardware overlaps any of the sutures, the bones should still be able to shift.

Yes, Thank You. that does make sense.  I would have to look at my X-rays again.

I do continue to wear my Essix clear retainers nightly, so I'm sure it keeps me limited. I will just keep reenforcing my swallowing and tongue posture. The only issue I have is when wearing the retainers at night. They are bulky and I can in no way shut my lips. (Even without my retainers in,  I have to purse my chin muscle to lift the lower lip to seal my lips. Which is way better post surgery than it used to be. I'm sure my top lip is shorter and the lower lip muscle never developed correctly. My natural resting lip position without using my chin muscle shows a little of my bottom teeth).  So when wearing the retainers,  I definitly can not shut my lips. I breath through my nose at night but my mouth hangs open as I  relax into sleep so of course my tongue drops. I wish I could figure something out so I can keep it in the top of my mouth while I sleep, as I do think that is important. Even if I work on the lower jaw muscles to get stronger to hold the teeth together, there is still no way at all to seal my lips over my retainers.