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Children's health

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Original poster

Tongue tie division under general anesthetic after age 8 months - what's the recovery like?

13 replies

IlanaK · 22/05/2009 19:46

Ds3 is 10 months and will probably have this done in the next month. How bad is the recovery? Anyone else's child had this done?

Thanks.

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thisisyesterday · 22/05/2009 19:51

not under GA, but ds2 had his snipped at 3 weeks and it was fine pretty much immediately.

I know someone who had her sons done at about 6 months, not under GA either, so no help there. but recovery was fine too.

the bit they cut is so small. so aside from GA issues I am sure he'll be fine

how come he's haviong it done?

roomforthree · 22/05/2009 20:26

DS2 had a release under ga (gaseous), but he was 5 months old.

He refused to bf for 48 hours, so we had to syringe feed him. He was miserable, in a lot of pain and couldn't sleep at all.

We gave him calpol / nurofen alternately for 6 days, which controlled the pain moderately well.

No post-op infections or lasting pain.

He had several dissolving stitches, which took about 3 weeks to go.

At the time I regretted agreeing to the release, but I am glad now, as he is able to feed without pain, and has started to gain weight at a faster pace.

HTH.

lisad123 · 22/05/2009 20:28

why under GA?

roomforthree · 22/05/2009 20:34

In our case, the maxfax surgeon was concerned that DS2 would move during the procedure, (v. wriggly and strong.) DS2 was very distressed just having the tie examined.

Also, tie was fairly severe - most of underside was fused to the base of his mouth - and required suturing after.

Original poster

IlanaK · 22/05/2009 21:53

It is done under a GA at this age as it would be dangerous any other way. Babies are strong, move around and get very distressed. This is what I was told today. And it is tru that ds got extremely upset just having his tongue held to examine.

It is totally different from when they have it done when they are tiny - they recover from that almost immediately - that's why i was asking about people who have had it done later.

roomforthree - that is worring to hear as I was given the impression today that the recovery is really quick.

OP posts:

roomforthree · 23/05/2009 22:01

TBH, if I had known how painful it would be for DS2, I think I wouldn't have agreed.

The surgeon told me that it would be relatively painless and a quick recovery. Not so in our case. We have a follow up in July, so I will ask the surgeon why this was not as straightforward as I was led to believe.

Like I said, now that it has been done, I am glad, as it made a big difference to DS2's life.

Sorry if I have worried you, but I hope that you find this helpful.

thisisyesterday · 25/05/2009 18:28

not necessarily the case, as I said, I do know someone whose child was quite a bit older when he had it done, it still wasn't done under GA, and it still healed virtually immediately.

I guess it depends on how severe it is though, as roomfor3 found out, in her son's case it was more than just the usual little snip

RANDM · 25/05/2009 18:58

Our's done at 8 months, no GA just a quick spray and cut.
Drinking his milk 5 mins later and happy as larry
So much better to get it done early

slightlycrumpled · 25/05/2009 19:52

Ilana, DS2 had his done under GA at 3 years old, (was affecting his speech) day surgery home by tea time. Recovery was fine, a bit sore for a couple of days but fixed with calpol. DS2 has had to have quite a few ops and the tongue tie was by far the easiest.

HTH.

coolkat · 25/05/2009 20:05

Can I ask what you would do in my situation.
DD nearly 7 months is tongue tied right on the tip. I took her to the doctors and he has said to leave it as when she grows the tie will move back slightly. How would having her tongue tie cut help her?

She currently gags on an solidy type things so food has to be really pureed and runny, would this be the reason. I am still BF and not really had a problem with this. I am sorry to gatecrash

slightlycrumpled · 25/05/2009 20:29

coolkat It's really difficult. DS2 was a nightmare to feed full stop, but we now know he has a type of cleft palate mucking things up.

I think that if the child is unable to lick an ice cream/ lips then it is a good idea to get it done. I'm not sure on the gagging on lumpy food although DS2 certainly did.

thisisyesterday · 26/05/2009 19:05

Coolkat, a lot of children gag on lumpy food, so it may not be anything to do with the tongue tie

here is a list of people/places that divide tongue ties.
it might be worth ringing them and having a chat to see what they recommend though. some of them need a recommendation from health visitor /gp. some you can self-refer. but they ought to be able to advise you over the phone.

FabFrench · 29/05/2009 12:10

My baby is six days old, and has a really short frenulum. I think it is interfering with his ability to stay latched on at the middle and end of a feed. Anyone got any experience of cutting frenulum of newborn? My midwife said to wait, but GP friend is saying do it now. Who can do it? (He has never done one...) Stories and advice anyone please?

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