Hi Lori, Thanks for the link--I actually had found that article already but I think it's good to put it here in case someone else may be interested.

As I posted elsewhere, the therabite doesn't work so well for me in increasing my mouth opening--it maybe adds 2-3 mms, though it does seem to help with the jaw cramps somewhat. What does the Botox do? Is that something that helps with trismus or just freezes the crampy muscle (it's not a treatment my ENT mentioned to me)?

After asking around (thanks Jerry), I am a bit more reassured that the right thing to do is have the surgery here because of the followup and physical therapy that is needed afterwards. I have a lot of confidence in both doctors who will be doing it. Unfortunately, I have less confidence in the hospital here, which has royally messed up a few things in my experiences with them in the past BUT its the only hospital I've got to work with so I will just take along my husband and hope he will be vigilant about what is being done if I am too out of it.

Nelie