Tongue Tie operation for an older child under GA? Or tongue exercises and no operation?

[MrsJohnDeere]

Ds1 (3.6) saw a SALT today because she'd picked up on the fact that he dribbles a lot. She thought he had adenoid problems but has concluded that his tongue is the problem. He had his tongue tie snipped as a 6wo baby, but just at the very front. The SALT reckons he needs to have it cut away at the back. She showed me how he can't move his tongue from side to side or up to his top lip. (I feel like a really bad mother for never noticing this ).

Anynow, she told me I have to choose between letting him have the op, or trying to correct it through tongue exercises (trying to get him to waggle it more, I guess). I have 2 weeks to decide. Tbh I feel absolutely clueless about which course of action is best.

FWIW, a friend's DS had the op aged 6 - and it has made a difference.

Do you know what the post-op recovery period was?
Did it make a difference to his eating?

Ds1 is an awful eater, and this may well be the reason for it.

Recovery was v. quick - a couple of days off school, IIRC. He's less messy, certainly - and he can lick his lips now . The doctors sold it to him on the basis that he would be able to eat an ice-cream cone without it ending up all over him - and he can.

My first two dss both had the Op, but they were under one.

Hi MrsJD. I would be interested to know what you decide. My DS (5) has similar problems, was told by HV when he was born that he was slightly tongue tied, but GP/Paed wouldn't refer him to hav it snipped so we left it. Am waiting for SALT appointment now, but have been pondering whether the tongue tied op was possible at this age.

DS speaks somewhat unclearly, dribbles a bit and always ends up with food all over his face.

My DD had this done under GA when she was five. She was home from hospital by 1pm and
recovered very quickly, just a few days. We are glad we had it done as she can now lick her lips, stick out her tongue and sweep her tongue around her mouth which the dentist said is a good thing to be able to do after eating.

Thank you all. Really helpful.

I've pretty much decided that he should have the op, I think.

WE've just discovered my DS who is 21 months has a posterior (very thick) tongue tie and whilst he has some movement of his tongue, I think it's affecting his speech.
I went to see an ENT (Helen Caulfield) who has recommended a 'division' which we are having done next Friday under GA.
I'm very nervous about the whole thing even though I know it's only a minor procedure.

Lots of medics won't do/recommend the procedure and say speech is not affected but I truly believe that 'mums know best' and I don't want any speech or dental problems that early intervention may have eliminated.

Best of luck, whatever you decide!