ONJ treatment/surgery centers

[Win-Pir]

I have a pretty advanced case of osteonecrosis of the jaw involving my left mandible. If any of you have had experience with or have knowledge of outstanding treatment/surgery centers for this condition I would appreciate any suggestions. I live in Alabama but don't mind traveling if I have to.

[Win-Pir]

Where are they located? Do you have contact info or know persons who have been patients who would contact me either on this forum or privately? Thanks for the tip.

[likelylost]

My husband just had surgery for ONJ in New Orleans. Dr Kim is at LSU dental school in New Orleans.

[Win-Pir in reply to likelylost]

My local surgeon wants to replace the mandible with bone from my leg. Will have to stop cancer treatment for a long time and stop work for three months which sounds horrific. How extensive was your husband's surgery and how did his recovery go? How good was nursing care? Any comments will help me decide where to go. Do you have contact info for Dr Kim? Thank you so much for anything you can offer.

[likelylost in reply to Win-Pir]

My husbands necrosis was only partially thru the mandible. Fortunately, Dr Kim was able to debried the dead bone and he felt like there was enough good bone remaining to keep his jaw stable without a graft. He did lose 3 teeth. Now, we are crossing our fingers that the incision will heal. This procedure was done as an outpatient at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. We were pleased with the nursing care and especially with Dr Kim’s expertise.

[Win-Pir in reply to likelylost]

How much dicomfort? Was he able to eat and what could he eat? How long ago was surgery and how does the surgery affect his life generally? Thanks for your responses. Routine for some people maybe--but very helpful to me.

[likelylost in reply to Win-Pir]

The surgery was 2 weeks ago. He had lots of soreness in the jaw for about a week, but only had on pain pill...so it must not have been too bad. He had only liquids for 3 days then moved to a soft diet, only chewing on the non operative side. He’s pretty much eating normally now and the swelling is gone. If you have a bone graft, it might be different for you.