Surgery for DS's undescended testicle- really scared

[mummybearfeelingsquare]

DS was born at 36 weeks and at his discharge checkup, the nurse noted he had an undescended testicle. I was told it was incredibly common and that it usually descended on its own by 6 months. It hasn't in our case and we're due to take baby in for surgery on Wednesday but I'm so scared. I know it's a minor op but it involves general anaesthetic which I'm petrified of. I know of two friends who developed complications because of it and didn't ever come round from it :/ my baby is tiny and I'm so scared something bad will happen. Also, he's to be nil by mouth before the operation- how am I going to not feed him in this warm weather?! Can anyone allay my fears and tell me it'll be okay? They doctor we saw at my DS's checkup last week explained what was involved in bringing the testicle down and went through all the risks and complications and it's only now hit me how real all of this is.

Hi OP, both my boys had surgery at five months for hernias. It is scary and I was really concerned about the lack of food before hand. With my first they gave him boiled water a couple of hours before and I kept him asleep by rocking him in his pram as we got close to the op.
With my second (which was on April) he was given water every hour up to the op. He was prem too (32 weeks) and I was terrified. But the operations were essential and they both recovered amazingly well. If you have any worries, speak to the nurses on your ward as they will be able to help you with any concerns

Is he really not to be fed milk? In my experience breastmilk counts as a 'clear fluid' like water, sure its the same for formula. How long have they told you not to feed him for?

I really feel for you, i would be so worried too but i do know of a few of DD's baby friends who went under GA pre 1yo and all were fine. I'm sure the relief when you have him back in your arms will be immense.

My DS had this and both the OP and recovery were fine. The worst bit will be taking him into theatre but it will be over quickly. What time is the op? In my experience they tend to get the youngest in first so won't be that long nil by mouth. Generals are very low risk for healthy children, I know I can't stop you worrying but in a couple of days it will all be done and all behind you

Dc3 was born at 36 weeks, he too has an undescended testicle. We were told they’d monitor it over the years and if still not descended they’d operate age 7.
Is there a reason they’ve given you why they have to operate at such a young age???
My brother also had this at birth and he went in for a quick op age 7.

Op is at 12pm and the last feed (breastmilk in this case) should be no later than 10:30am and last drink of water by 11am. We've got an entire sheet of do's and don't's that came through with the appointment letter. I was originally told by the doctor last week that there was a huge backlog of cases and DC wouldn't be likely seen until the new year. The fact that his date has come round within a week has given me no time to mentally prepare.

@daisydalrymple

Dc3 was born at 36 weeks, he too has an undescended testicle. We were told they’d monitor it over the years and if still not descended they’d operate age 7. Is there a reason they’ve given you why they have to operate at such a young age??? My brother also had this at birth and he went in for a quick op age 7.

Apparently, the sooner the better. The doctor we saw said an undescended testicle usually descended on its own by 6 months and if it didn't, there was an incredibly high chance it would stay up in either the abdomen or genital area. He said research showed that waiting longer than 12 months may increase the odds of boys with undescended testicles having fertility problems later in life. That frightened me even more so I said to put DC on the waiting list so he could have the OP before he was crawling/walking as recovering from surgery then would probably be more problematic- all that stretching and pulling, landing on his bottom, etc.

Ah that makes sense for your ds then. Ds has the second one dropping up and down, so it’s obviously not as much of a concern.

Hey @mummybearfeelingsquare is it this Wednesday your LO is having the op? I came across your thread and it's making me feel a bit worried too. Our little boy is coming up for 10 months and was diagnosed with the same at birth and 6 week check but I've heard nothing since about what we're supposed to do. We weren't even told to have a follow up appointment. After reading your thread last night I had a look on the NHS website and the NICE guidelines and both suggest that we should have seen someone by now! Feels like we've slipped through the bet because of the COVID situation...