omiart Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 Hey guys, So from what I understand a mini v-line is basically just a chin reduction with T-osteotomy so I am pretty sure it is done in North America except it isn't called a mini v-line here (please correct me if they're actually different procedures!!). I really, really , really want to have this procedure done but I'm terrified of the 3D CT scans they do in the Korean clinics. I know they always try to push that it's "low dose" and you don't get that much radiation from them but it's not true at all especially when its a scan of your head. But anyway, what I'm trying to get at is, I've contacted a few clinics in Korea and they all say that the scan is necessary and I'm hoping that I could get the procedure done in N.A. instead without the scan. Anyone have any thoughts on this?TLDR: Don't want to get chin reduction in Korea because they require 3D CT scans, wondering if same procedure can be done in N.A. without scan. PS: So whyyy does the 3d scan bother me so much since the purpose of the 3d scan is to help avoid cutting or damaging the mental nerves in the chin area??? Well...I am actually a radiographer and I am pretty familiar with the human skeleton. I know that for almost everyone except a few exceptionally deformed people, major landmarks like joints and openings for nerves in the bone occur at fixed positions relative to other landmarks on the body. So as far as I'm concerned, this surgery should be totally doable without the scan and I do not want to subject myself to that much radiation exposure for a cosmetic procedure. Guys, please please be careful. Especially those of you who visit multiple clinics and have a scan at each one. Ask if you can get a copy of the scan and bring it around to the other clinics if you have to instead of getting a new one at each place. These are not low dose. I'm not trying to scare monger just hoping to spread awareness about this..
aestheticdream Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 Thanks for the advice. I will be sure to get a CD copy at my first scan. They make the scans look so harmless and I am sure 1 or 2 won't kill you but why have unnessesary extra radiation if you don't need it.
autumnskies Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 *EDITED* Okay yea silly question, I just googled it but definitely scary and i will definitely ask if I need to take another picture again. EEK Now you totally have me on a mission. This is the Xray machine that I used at both clinics: http://www.vatechamerica.com/products/cbct/pax-reve3d.php.. Maybe you can help me understand that website.. I don't know how to convert info in measerable mrem? Is it even possible with this posted info?
omiart Posted March 28, 2014 Author Posted March 28, 2014 Wow thanks so much for posting that link! Its not possible to know how much radiation you'll actually absorb in a scan. The person who is performing the scan will set the strength of the radiation beam and then when you are exposed to it some of it will pass through to create the image that you see and some of it will be absorbed by your body. How much you absorb depends on your body composition. Based on the specs this machine actually doesn't look too bad and makes me feel a bit better about doing the scan if I decide to do it. The things to note if you're getting a scan are: - The voltage, in kVp which tells you how strong the beam is. This is the ability of the beam to penetrate your body. The higher the voltage the better. Higher voltage means more photons can pass through to create the image without being absorbed by your body. Radiation damage occurs when your body absorbs it because it can cause DNA damage that way. - The current and the exposure time tells you how much (how many photons) radiation you'll be exposed. This is where I start to feel better about this machine because the current they use is actually pretty low (2-10 mA) so even though they are exposing you for a long time (15-24 seconds), the total amount of radiation (mA * Seconds) you get is potentially low if they stick to a low current and short exposure time. So now looking at the specs this machine actually isn't too terrifying but it depends on what the operator sets. Just remember that the area they are exposing is near a lot of radiation sensitive organs like your thyroid and eyes and no matter how low the dose, any of these scans will increase your chances of developing cancer so try not to have more than 1 at any time. Im heading out in a min so this is a bit rushed but if you have more questions i'll try my best to help.
shinyglittery Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 thank you for posting this omiart, i didn't think it was serious either. i will try to get only 1 scan and give copies of it to other clinics.
autumnskies Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 Ahh okay. Thanks so much for taking the time to explain this! Bittersweet news since I've taken 1+ scans but also happy to hear this isn't giving out crazy amounts of radiation either. I've definitely started to ask if I can reuse xrays and hopefully the doctors will let me.
omiart Posted March 29, 2014 Author Posted March 29, 2014 No problem just happy I could help. If you don't mind me asking, did you have/plan to have a mini v-line?
autumnskies Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 I actually had 2 jaw surgery. Was over a year ago at Dream in Seoul and definitely worth it This time around I'm thinking about Zygoma reduction and now I really dont want to take anymore xrays
omiart Posted March 30, 2014 Author Posted March 30, 2014 Oh i see. Yeah its definitely a tough decision to make thats why I've been holding off on the surgery for so long. Well, best of luck to you!
sheonlylooks25 Posted April 26, 2014 Posted April 26, 2014 I I totally AGREE with you. A big worry. The clinics already have the machines and will push you to have as many scans as possible to pay off the $100k machines. I was very disturbed to read on one site for HAIR replacement you need a scan! WTF - no way Jose. Think Brain Cancer!!! You should know as you are a radiographer. I believe post op for jaw surgery they scan you AGAIN!
sheonlylooks25 Posted April 26, 2014 Posted April 26, 2014 Problem is you will have to have another scan as they will want to that for insurance to ensure the best outcome for you
shinyglittery Posted April 27, 2014 Posted April 27, 2014 i think you're right about the reason. the last town i lived in (a small town) had a very small dental clinic that had a 3D scanner. the clinic was small but it looked really modern and fancy. they wanted to scan me for EVERYTHING they did. they always asked me if i was pregnant first. i assume if you're pregnant then they don't scan you for everything. i went there 3 times and i was scanned 3 times with the scanner spinning around my head. one time it was just for the beginning of a cavity that they could easily fix very quickly. i think the scan took longer than fixing the cavity haha. i wasn't that worried about it but this post made me think that maybe i should be a little more worried and ask if a scan is really necessary. the next time a clinic wants to scan me.
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