cleft lip surgery

[smurphius]

i know a professional trumpet player (yeah, i know... eww) who has a snaggle tooth, and although having the money and abilities to have it fixed, he refuses to do so. reason being that he says any surguries to your face and mouth can leave the possibility of permanent changes in your playing. whether that is for the good or the bad, that's one of those things you don't know until you go through with it. he doesn't want to run that risk. it's kinda the same idea as playing with an off center embeture. in my case for example, i play with the mouthpiece to the edge of my lips on one side, and up to maybe a quarter inch of lip exposed on the other side (tuba mp). if i try to play center, i have a difficult time, because those muscles aren't worked up for that. your circumstance might be much the same after a surgery, but then again may not. hope this helps you see more pros and cons. best of luck.

[Alex C]

You should assume that surgery will have an adverse effect on your performance. It may be temporary, it may not. The effect on your appearance will be permanent. The effect on your psyche? That is your question to answer.

[sc_curtis]

...look at your whole life, beyond the horn and then make your decision.

Excellent advice.