Anyone whose baby had (or nearly needed) tummy op?

[Manoo]

SIL's baby was born last Friday, and is now in special care unit as he's not keeping his feeds down. They're doing tests and trying to establish what the problem is - apparently it may be necessary to operate. Anyone else been through anything like this? Am keen to pass on 'success stories', positive words, support and information. Thanks.

It all depends on what it the cause of the problem is. If is pyloric stenosis - where the muscle at the bottom (I think) of the stomach contracts so that the food goes in but then can't pass through and so comes back up as projectile vomit. This normally happens around 3- 6weeks. The risk is that the baby becomes dehydrated - so the best place for him is the baby unit.

My sisters 3 week old has just had the op to correct this, it took 1hr from leaving him to picking him up, and within 3 days he was able feed and keep it down and is noe back at home healthy and hearty. The scar is tiny just above belly button, and they say that there should never be any more problems. It runs in the family (my father and babys father had it)and they definitely don't have probelms with eating!!!

the only downside was the wait for the op- they define it as none emergency procedure so just have to wait for a space in the theatre. It took 3 days of waiting and baby being on drip.

Hope that helps