Mia Moffitt’s Major Jaw Surgery
Donation protected
As many of you are aware, Mia will be having her second jaw surgery coming up on November 9th, 2022. She had her first surgery in March of 2021 in which her damaged discs were removed, and fat grafts added to the joint spaces of her jaw. While the surgery was considered a success in repairing the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), it did not sufficiently correct her malocclusion that was created by the loss of blood flow to the mandible as doctors hoped. Without blood flow, her mandible did not grow at the same rate that the rest of the skull did causing the lower jaw to be too small to reach the upper teeth. Only her back molars now make contact leaving her with an open bite. This causes a great amount of pressure on her TMJ’s and on the new fat grafts from her first surgery, as well as; pain, headaches, and the danger of tooth fractures due to the increased pressure on the teeth that do touch. It has also caused further restriction to her diet with regards to what she is able to chew.
After countless doctor’s appointments with; Orthodontists, Oral Surgeon, Immunologists, Cincinnati Children’s Hypermobility Clinic, and The Piper Clinic in St. Petersburg, FL (narrowly dodging Hurricane “Ian” most recently), it has been determined that another surgery is necessary. This procedure is called a “Double Osteotomy with Sliding Genioplasty”. Dr Shah at The Piper Clinic will be cutting completely through Mia’s mandible behind the molars on both sides to slide her entire lower jaw forward and screw it into its new position. He will also be cutting across the upper jaw (maxilla bone) above the tooth roots to remove the upper teeth allowing him to cut out a wedge of the bone and the lower nasal turbinates. The upper teeth will then be replaced onto the maxilla in a slightly higher position so all the teeth come together as they should. Lastly, he will cut a slice in the chin bone, slide it forward and screw it into place. This will basically be a corrective reconstruction of Mia’s upper jaw, lower jaw, and chin. Dr Shah described it to Mia as fast forwarding time to where the jaw should be had it not stopped growing. He also told her that she will have a lot of swelling after this surgery and will look like a basketball for a while. This is obviously very scary for her and of course upsets her because of how it will affect her appearance. The Double Osteotomy procedure is a very frightening thing to think about as parents and for loved ones as well, especially after researching many pictures and videos on it. Due to Mia’s diagnosis with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) which affects the connective tissue in her joints, the amount of swelling she will endure is an added concern for complications. Her Immunologist at U of M has given her a shot to help prevent the swelling from becoming a life-threatening issue. She will also be seeing the rheumatologist next week for further input.
This surgery will again be a major hinderance to her lifestyle and schooling. Similar to the first surgery, while she recovers, she will have to wear a surgical splint to band her jaw in place. Along with pain and swelling, a liquid diet, numerous medications, inability to speak with the splint in, scheduled jaw exercises and physical therapy will be her day-to-day reality.
As with her first surgery, The Piper Clinic, who specializes in cases like Mia’s, does not contract with or accept any medical insurance. We have had to work with them directly to provide payment for each surgery up front. The cost of this second surgery will be even more expensive than Mia’s first. We are facing a staggering $67,376 “out of pocket” which, as you can imagine, has been a major financial strain. That figure still does not reflect the full amount required for her other medical needs, doctors’ appointments, hospital and anesthesia costs, medications, equipment and testing. Additionally, the cost of traveling to and from Florida every 3 months, lodging, and away from home expenses has become overwhelming. We have dipped deep into savings and depleted retirement accounts with hefty penalties to aid in covering the costs of getting Mia the services and medical attention she needs. Still, we find that we are falling short financially.
So, with surgery less than 2 weeks away, we are asking for any help or support that our extended families and friends may be able to provide. We were so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generous support we received for her first surgery that we hesitated to ask again. But that is the situation we find ourselves in. Mia will need all of the love, prayers, well wishes and positive energy she can get as she goes through another difficult year of recovery. Please keep her in your thoughts. If you are in a position to assist financially as well, please consider donating to her Go Fund Me account.
Although Mia is having a lot of anxiety regarding this upcoming surgery, she remains positive, upbeat, and active. She just wants to enjoy her Junior year in High School and spend time with friends and family like any other teenager. After her first surgery, any contact sport or jarring activity was no longer allowed, ending her ability to play and pursue softball. But in true Mia fashion she did not allow that to hold her back. She just found another sport to master...Golf! Mia decided to shift her focus to golf since it is a low impact sport and has of course picked it up quickly. She continues to improve and excel. She made the Perrysburg High School Varsity Golf Team this fall, and even competed at District Finals!
If you know Mia, you know that ever since a young age Mia has touched so many lives. Her entire life we have heard from teachers, coaches, youth group leaders, other parents and anyone else she comes in contact with about what a special and beautiful soul she is. She continues to be the girl that we all love, lighting up each room and now setting her sights on goals and dreams as she grows into young adulthood. It would be difficult to imagine anyone enduring what she has already been through and continues to face with such grace and courage. With the love and support of family and friends, in whatever form, we hope she will soon be able to put this difficult chapter of her life behind her. We all know she is destined for great things!
After countless doctor’s appointments with; Orthodontists, Oral Surgeon, Immunologists, Cincinnati Children’s Hypermobility Clinic, and The Piper Clinic in St. Petersburg, FL (narrowly dodging Hurricane “Ian” most recently), it has been determined that another surgery is necessary. This procedure is called a “Double Osteotomy with Sliding Genioplasty”. Dr Shah at The Piper Clinic will be cutting completely through Mia’s mandible behind the molars on both sides to slide her entire lower jaw forward and screw it into its new position. He will also be cutting across the upper jaw (maxilla bone) above the tooth roots to remove the upper teeth allowing him to cut out a wedge of the bone and the lower nasal turbinates. The upper teeth will then be replaced onto the maxilla in a slightly higher position so all the teeth come together as they should. Lastly, he will cut a slice in the chin bone, slide it forward and screw it into place. This will basically be a corrective reconstruction of Mia’s upper jaw, lower jaw, and chin. Dr Shah described it to Mia as fast forwarding time to where the jaw should be had it not stopped growing. He also told her that she will have a lot of swelling after this surgery and will look like a basketball for a while. This is obviously very scary for her and of course upsets her because of how it will affect her appearance. The Double Osteotomy procedure is a very frightening thing to think about as parents and for loved ones as well, especially after researching many pictures and videos on it. Due to Mia’s diagnosis with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) which affects the connective tissue in her joints, the amount of swelling she will endure is an added concern for complications. Her Immunologist at U of M has given her a shot to help prevent the swelling from becoming a life-threatening issue. She will also be seeing the rheumatologist next week for further input.
This surgery will again be a major hinderance to her lifestyle and schooling. Similar to the first surgery, while she recovers, she will have to wear a surgical splint to band her jaw in place. Along with pain and swelling, a liquid diet, numerous medications, inability to speak with the splint in, scheduled jaw exercises and physical therapy will be her day-to-day reality.
As with her first surgery, The Piper Clinic, who specializes in cases like Mia’s, does not contract with or accept any medical insurance. We have had to work with them directly to provide payment for each surgery up front. The cost of this second surgery will be even more expensive than Mia’s first. We are facing a staggering $67,376 “out of pocket” which, as you can imagine, has been a major financial strain. That figure still does not reflect the full amount required for her other medical needs, doctors’ appointments, hospital and anesthesia costs, medications, equipment and testing. Additionally, the cost of traveling to and from Florida every 3 months, lodging, and away from home expenses has become overwhelming. We have dipped deep into savings and depleted retirement accounts with hefty penalties to aid in covering the costs of getting Mia the services and medical attention she needs. Still, we find that we are falling short financially.
So, with surgery less than 2 weeks away, we are asking for any help or support that our extended families and friends may be able to provide. We were so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generous support we received for her first surgery that we hesitated to ask again. But that is the situation we find ourselves in. Mia will need all of the love, prayers, well wishes and positive energy she can get as she goes through another difficult year of recovery. Please keep her in your thoughts. If you are in a position to assist financially as well, please consider donating to her Go Fund Me account.
Although Mia is having a lot of anxiety regarding this upcoming surgery, she remains positive, upbeat, and active. She just wants to enjoy her Junior year in High School and spend time with friends and family like any other teenager. After her first surgery, any contact sport or jarring activity was no longer allowed, ending her ability to play and pursue softball. But in true Mia fashion she did not allow that to hold her back. She just found another sport to master...Golf! Mia decided to shift her focus to golf since it is a low impact sport and has of course picked it up quickly. She continues to improve and excel. She made the Perrysburg High School Varsity Golf Team this fall, and even competed at District Finals!
If you know Mia, you know that ever since a young age Mia has touched so many lives. Her entire life we have heard from teachers, coaches, youth group leaders, other parents and anyone else she comes in contact with about what a special and beautiful soul she is. She continues to be the girl that we all love, lighting up each room and now setting her sights on goals and dreams as she grows into young adulthood. It would be difficult to imagine anyone enduring what she has already been through and continues to face with such grace and courage. With the love and support of family and friends, in whatever form, we hope she will soon be able to put this difficult chapter of her life behind her. We all know she is destined for great things!
Fundraising team: Team fundraiser (2)
Amy Moffitt
Organizer
Perrysburg, OH
Chuck Moffitt
Team member