Virginia Elder’s Inspiring Jaw Surgery Journey

What began as routine orthodontics became a life-changing year for Texas Tech alumna Virginia Elder, whose jaw surgery journey inspired millions online. Known for sharing faith, family moments, and adventures with her dog Bleau, Virginia opened up about an underbite that left her insecure despite already overcoming major health battles, including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease.

In March 2023, she started orthodontic prep for double jaw surgery and documented every step on TikTok. From pre-surgery profile photos to raw recovery updates, she showed it all — swelling, fatigue, setbacks, and victories. One major hurdle came when a surgical plate had to be removed due to infection. Yet, her transparency revealed what true healing looks like: painful, slow, but ultimately empowering.

By six weeks, her face was more defined, and months later, braces were removed, revealing a radiant new smile. On August 24, 2024 — one year later — Virginia reflected: “It is so freeing to eat properly and not be in constant pain. Some days, I still don’t recognize myself, but I’m so grateful.”

Her resilience and honesty turned her journey into a source of strength for countless others facing similar battles.