Kirsten Rendell’s life was significantly impacted from early childhood by a narrow palate and a pronounced underbite, a condition that caused a lisp, difficulty chewing and breathing, and visibly affected her appearance. This led to bullying at school and a deep-seated discomfort with being photographed, as she felt she couldn’t control how her jaw looked. By her late teens, Rendell actively sought medical intervention, marking the beginning of an extensive, multi-year treatment plan involving orthodontics and facial reconstruction. She began documenting her progress from the early phases, sharing each stage with increasing transparency, offering a clear record of one of the most comprehensive orthodontic and facial reconstruction procedures available.

Her treatment journey commenced in late 2019, involving initial consultations with both an orthodontist and a surgeon, along with X-rays and molds for detailed planning. Rendell was informed early on that palatal expansion would create a visible gap between her front teeth, which might not fully close due to gum recession. The surgical plan aimed to bring her upper jaw forward, move her lower jaw back, and realign her chin. The active surgical phase was expected to last four years within a six-year total process, with delays anticipated due to hospital backlogs, adding significant emotional and physical strain.

A critical stage in early 2020 involved expanding her upper jaw, resulting in a dramatic physical change: a 17-millimeter gap between her front teeth. By May 2022, a 7-millimeter vertical gap had formed, with orthodontists working to close spaces and prepare for surgery. However, the hospital’s maxillofacial department experienced severe backlogs, delaying her surgery and leading to significant mental distress. Rendell openly shared her struggles with how her face looked, acknowledging she hadn’t anticipated the mental toll of the prolonged process. Her continued documentation was partly driven by a desire to help others undergoing similar experiences, eventually reaching a wider audience.

In mid-2024, after years of preparation and delays, Rendell finally underwent double jaw surgery, also known as bimaxillary osteotomy—a complex procedure to correct her severely misaligned upper and lower jaws. The 7.5-hour surgery also involved adjusting her chin for proper alignment. Her immediate post-operative updates from her hospital bed confirmed the completion of the procedure, marking the beginning of a challenging recovery. She shared videos detailing her pre-surgery condition, immediate post-op appearance, and early progress, highlighting the “mental battle” and the extensive process of learning to eat and speak again, relying heavily on the support of friends and family.

As of May 2025, Kirsten Rendell, now 23, is largely at the end of her five-year journey, which included palatal expansion, wisdom teeth removal, and double jaw surgery. Her transformation has been widely shared on TikTok, where she has garnered over 119,000 followers and 10.6 million likes, with her “before and after” montage video going viral in March 2025. Her posts now reflect increased physical activity and a newfound confidence, with many followers praising her “gorgeous” and “beautiful” results. Rendell continues to use her platform to document her experience, serving as an inspiration and valuable resource for others navigating similar long-term treatments.