Katie Wolferding spent much of her life dodging cameras because her chin looked uneven. People often mocked her appearance, but after a major surgery that changed everything, she now smiles confidently for photos and openly shares her story online.
Her newfound confidence didn’t come easily — it followed years of quiet pain and deep insecurity. On Facebook, Katie opened up about the emotional toll her appearance took:
“I was made fun of for something I couldn’t help. ‘You look like a bull dog’ ‘why is your chin so long.'”
The photographer explained how she spent most of her life dodging cameras, carefully tilting her head to hide her crooked jaw. According to her, she never allowed anyone to take a side profile photo. Katie also held her mouth in an unnatural way to mask how her bite looked, which made her uncomfortable every day. She admitted:
“I hated looking in the mirror. I constantly felt self conscious when talking or eating around other people. I felt that people only seen [sic] my underbite.”
An up-close shot of Katie Wolferding, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
Those silent struggles eventually led Katie to make a life-altering choice — one that took immense courage. She shared, “On June 27, 2018 I underwent double jaw surgery. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, and I backed out at least 3 times before pushing myself to go through with it.”
Katie Wolferding’s X-ray scan, dated June 2019
Despite her doubts, she followed through, and the procedure became a turning point. “It’s changed my life,” she added. Not long after, Katie marked the milestone with another update, “Can’t believe it’s been 3 whole months since I had double jaw surgery!”
An up-close shot of Katie Wolferding, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
Though the healing process was tough, Katie described it as completely worthwhile. She had to relearn basic things like talking and eating — but she never looked back. As time passed, Katie felt more comfortable opening up about the rougher moments of her journey. In a TikTok video, she offered advice to others and explained a troubling part of her healing.
An up-close shot of Katie Wolferding, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
The Tennessee native learned that after the upper jaw is shifted during surgery, blood can clot near the nose. This made breathing difficult — she described the feeling as suffocating.
A side view of Katie Wolferding’s jawline, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
Because her nose was partially blocked and her mouth badly swollen, she struggled to get any air. Her mother brought her a fingertip oxygen monitor for reassurance, and it showed her levels were perfect — “100.” It turned out the sensation of not breathing was mostly mental, though it felt very real to her at the time.
Katie Wolferding after surgery, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
To make the healing process a bit smoother, Katie found creative ways to deal with the day-to-day challenges that followed surgery. One of her favorite helpers was a nasal strip.
Katie Wolferding pictured at the hospital, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
She clipped it over her nose, and it gave her just enough airflow to sleep more comfortably at night. Eating and drinking also came with their own hurdles — since her mouth was swollen and her jaw couldn’t move, she relied on a syringe for every sip and bite.
An up-close shot of Katie Wolferding post surgery, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
Katie also discovered that condiment bottles, like those used for ketchup and mustard, made drinking easier when paired with the syringe. Along with creative tools, she also dealt with plenty of frustrating moments during those first days of healing.
Katie Wolferding posing for the camera, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
She remembered how tough it was needing help just to sip water. Often dehydrated, Katie felt guilty waking her mother each time she was thirsty. Despite these struggles, she picked up small comforts that made a big difference.
An up-close shot of Katie Wolferding, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
One essential item she recommended was chapstick. After her nine-hour surgery, her mouth had been left open, and everything felt painfully dry. Even when she wasn’t wired shut, she couldn’t stick her tongue out very well.
Katie Wolferding photographed after her surgery, dated June 2019 | Source: Facebook/katiewolferding
Because she had to breathe through her mouth instead of her nose, the dryness worsened. A dry mouth spray became another must-have in her recovery kit. Together, these little things brought much-needed relief.
Despite the physical relief her recovery tools offered, the emotional toll was something Katie couldn’t soothe as easily. In another TikTok post, she spoke about the mental weight that came after surgery.
“I slept looking a certain way and woke up looking different,” she said, noting how fast the change happened. That sudden transformation brought more than just emotional hurdles — there were also noticeable changes in her facial features that took some getting used to.
Before the procedure, Katie’s nose slanted downward and appeared uneven. After surgery, her nostrils became much more visible, even from a front view. While the shift is most obvious from the side, she noted that looking straight on, things now appear more balanced.
The quick shift in her appearance left her struggling to adjust, and although she tried to distract herself from her insecure thoughts, they lingered:
“I’m learning to change my thought process, I’m learning to love myself which has definitely been a struggle.”
While the initial weeks after surgery were tough, she pointed out that the hardest part wasn’t physical. “The longest recovery is your mentality about it all,” Katie shared, adding:
“Recovering from the years of hating yourself, recovering from the years of being bullied, the things that people said. It’s hard to come back from.”
Despite the weight of those painful memories, Katie eventually found peace — and even joy — on the other side of her journey. “One year later post op, and I’m as happy as ever,” she shared in a June 2019 Facebook post.
Grateful for her faith and a close circle of support, Katie credited both with helping her through the toughest days. When someone asked if she would recommend the surgery, her answer was clear, “Absolutely.”
The experience not only lifted her spirits but also made her feel much stronger, “It showed me how far I can be pushed physically and mentally.” What once seemed impossible had become her new normal — “I never thought I’d see the day that smiling would be one of my favorite things to do,” Katie said, adding that eating had become much easier.
The joy Katie now feels is something others have noticed — and celebrated — right alongside her. Supporters quickly filled her comment section with praise after seeing her transformation.
One follower gushed, “Oh my gosh you’re so beautiful.” Another admired her features, “Gosh your nose is perfection.” Someone else exclaimed with excitement, “WHATTT??? GURLLL TRUST ME, U R SO STUNNING OMG [sic].” Compliments poured in, with one admirer declaring, “You’re absolutely stunning,” while another expressed amazement, “wait what?! you are perfect! [sic]”
The outpouring of support didn’t just lift Katie’s spirits — it came during a season of growth and happiness in her personal life. Among the many bright moments, her 27th birthday stood out as one filled with gratitude and lighthearted humor. She marked the day with a cheerful post that reflected her warm personality and joyful outlook.
“27 has a lot to live up to, but I’m ready to see what’s coming,” she wrote. She gave a warm mention to Amy Weatherly — and of course, her husband Blake Wolferding— for making the day extra special. According to her, they brought “a little bit of TN & Dolly Parton all the way to Missouri.”
