What began with orthodontic preparation evolved into a year-long transformation — one that drew millions of views and provided a detailed, personal record of post-surgical recovery.

Long before the braces, hospital gowns, and recovery updates, Virginia Elder was sharing glimpses of her daily life — moments of faith, quiet routines, and time with her dog — all of which would later stand in contrast to the year of transformation she chose to document.

A proud alumna of Texas Tech University, Elder built her days around the people and beliefs that anchored her: her family, her friends, her Christian faith, and her devoted dog, Bleau.

Bleau, a striking blue-eyed pup with white and brown fur, featured prominently in her Instagram Stories. Together, they explored trails and parks, including Maxey Park, one of their favorites.

Elder often captured everyday moments with Bleau, from neighborhood walks in pink sneakers to playful car rides where she treated her pet to a dog-friendly dessert, once captioning a video simply, “my best friend.”

Her Instagram, filled with affirmations and gratitude, hints at a woman who found joy in simple moments, even while privately navigating deep physical challenges.

Early Health Challenges

Long before jaw surgery became part of her story, Elder faced another major medical challenge. Diagnosed with scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, she underwent two spinal surgeries — one on March 24, 2017, and another on May 13, 2019.

A screenshot of her “Scoliosis” highlight on Instagram shows her X-rays and a deeply personal reflection.

“It was a challenging journey, but it improved and shifted my outlook on life. Looking back, days, months, and even the years felt long, but I am so grateful that God gave me this journey and guided me every step on the path to recovery,” her post read.

She marked International Scoliosis Day with those words — a moment of both remembrance and pride. But despite overcoming that battle, another one lingered in the mirror.

The Road to Transformation

Elder had always felt self-conscious about her jaw, an underbite that she often masked with her smile.

By March 2023, Elder had started orthodontic treatment as part of the surgical process for double jaw surgery. She didn’t just go through it, she documented it.

With meticulous detail, she shared selfies, updates, and videos that slowly drew millions into her world.

What shocked viewers wasn’t just the physical change. It was how open she was — how she didn’t skip the puffy days or the silent, teary moments.

The Countdown to Surgery

In the final days leading up to surgery, Elder continued to document each step. Three days before surgery, she shared a series of outdoor photos. She wore a faded rose t-shirt, her hair pulled back neatly. In profile, her jaw remained pronounced, with braces already in place.

A day later, in a white tank top, her expression appeared more composed. The caption, “2 days before surgery,” suggested calm, but also quiet anticipation.

The next day, she appeared again, this time in a soft pink Texas Tech T-shirt. With the caption, “1 day before surgery,” she shared both front-facing and profile views of her face — clear, unfiltered documentation of the jaw structure she was about to change.

Surgery Day: A Face Transformed, Painfully

On the day of her double jaw surgery, Elder appeared in a hospital bed, her face heavily swollen and wrapped in ice packs.

Her expression was blank, her skin flushed — the physical aftermath of an intense procedure was immediately visible. From that moment, she began documenting her healing journey on TikTok, sharing daily updates.

On day one, she appeared lying in bed, eyes barely open. The swelling had intensified overnight, and fatigue was written across her face. She looked distant, her body clearly still under the weight of anesthesia and physical shock.

Day two showed mild improvement. Though still in her hospital gown and visibly swollen, she looked more alert. Her eyes opened wider, and she seemed more aware of her surroundings, even if her discomfort remained.

By day three, now back home, the emotional toll began to show. Her cheeks were still puffy, but her eyes appeared glassy and tearful, capturing a moment of vulnerability that often arrives when adrenaline fades and reality settles in.

Day four brought little physical change. Her face remained swollen, her expression heavy with exhaustion. Wrapped in a blanket, she looked as though recovery had plateaued — a common, frustrating phase.

On day five, she stood upright for the first time since surgery. Photographed in her kitchen, she remained visibly inflamed, but the post marked a small turning point. It was the beginning of a regained routine, however slow.

Day six offered the first signs of real progress. The swelling had begun to shift and settle. Her posture appeared more stable, and her expression more relaxed. While subtle, it was enough to suggest she was adapting to the rhythm of recovery.

By day eight, she shared a car selfie. Wearing a casual T-shirt and cross necklace, her eyes looked clearer, and the outline of her new jawline was more visible. Her slight smile suggested the earliest return of calm.

On day nine, that progress held steady. Swelling had reduced further, especially along her lower face. Her features looked more symmetrical, and although her braces remained, her profile had begun to take its new shape.

On day 10, Elder’s recovery continued at a steady pace. The swelling had eased noticeably, revealing a more defined jawline. Her face appeared increasingly balanced, and with her expression more relaxed, the early results of the surgery were becoming clearer.

By day 11, Elder’s swelling had subsided even more, softening the contours of her face. Her features appeared calmer in the morning light, and though still healing, her expression suggested growing comfort in her post-op appearance.

This stretch of updates — quiet, unfiltered, and consistent — told a fuller story than any single before-and-after photo could. Healing, as she showed, was a slow unveiling.

At around 3.5 weeks post-op — approximately 24 to 25 days into recovery — Elder posted photos showing reduced swelling and more defined facial structure. In one image, she wore a black-and-white checkered dress and appeared calm and composed.

Her expression and posture suggested progress. The early puffiness had subsided enough to reveal visible changes in her profile.

About 1.5 months after surgery — six weeks post-op — she shared another update, noting a complication. One of the surgical plates had been removed due to infection.

She posted a series of mirror selfies with light bruising visible near her jaw and included the caption, “Recovering from an infection resulting in a plate removal.”

The update was direct. Her face showed mild discoloration, but her jaw structure remained consistent. It was a setback in her recovery, shared without added commentary.

But what came next surprised even her most devoted TikTok followers — a moment that marked a turning point.

Her Final Reveal: A Smile Reborn

In her next recovery photos, Elder appeared visibly healed. The swelling was gone, her facial structure fully defined, and her jawline balanced. Her expression was relaxed — no longer guarded by braces or stiffness — and her smile came naturally.

She shared several looks: one in a pink tank top, another in a soft purple top, and a third in a light-colored cardigan. In each, she appeared comfortable and at ease, her posture confident and her eyes clear.

The transformation was complete. The physical changes were clear, but what stood out even more was how naturally she carried herself.

At the One-Year Mark: A Personal Check-in

On August 24, 2024, Elder marked one year since her double jaw surgery with a TikTok post reflecting on how far she had come. The update offered a candid look at the emotional and physical transformation that followed her procedure.

She described the past 12 months as deeply transformative — both mentally and physically — and spoke about the everyday relief of no longer being in constant pain.

“It is so freeing to be able to eat properly and not be in constant pain. I am still getting used to my new face, and some days, I feel like I don’t recognize myself,” Elder said.

She concluded, “Thank God, my friends, and my family for supporting me on this journey. I am feeling so grateful. #doublejawsurgeryrecoverycheck #braces #doublejawsurgeryjourney #jawsurgery2023 #underbitecheck #CapCut.”

Elder’s journey didn’t rely on big statements, but on consistent, visual updates — each marking a meaningful part of the process.

From pre-surgery to the ten-month milestone, she documented both progress and setbacks, offering a clear, practical reference for others considering similar procedures.