West Valley man has new outlook on life after facial surgery
Sep 27, 2020, 6:30 AM | Updated: Sep 28, 2020, 7:26 am
(Banner Health Photo)
(Banner Health Photo)
PHOENIX — A West Valley man has a new outlook on life after undergoing facial surgery to correct several birth defects.
David Bufkin, 20, recently underwent surgery to repair a cleft lip and jaw misalignment that caused a speech impediment, difficulty chewing, sleeping troubles and more.
The Sun City man had previously had no luck finding an effective treatment before the procedure at Banner Children’s at Desert done by Dr. Robert Wood.
“I’m overly satisfied with the results, and thankful Dr. Wood has finished bringing this challenging feat to fruition,” Bufkin said in a press release. “It was a long road worth walking.”
The surgery removed Bufkin’s upper jaw from the base of his skull and attached it to a rigid, halo-like device around his head.
His skull and facial bones were then anchored in place for eight weeks, which allowed his upper jaw to move forward over time as forces were applied to it.
Bufkin is now able to breathe, exercise and sleep more effectively.
“It’s almost like having a whole new son, but of course he’s still the same kid I know,” Bufkin’s mother, Jessica Barnes, said. He looks like an entirely different person.”
