Should my DD have this operation??

[CaptainDippy]

My 3.7 year old DD has a squint. It is not very pronounced, but it is definitely 'there', iykwim. It is particularly bad when she is tired and the opthamologist at the hospital says it measures worse than it actually looks. It always shows up in photographs taken of her - that is how I first discovered she had it. The squint is not affecting her eyesight. She is supposed to be going in for an operation to correct it on Thursday morning (4th Oct) and I am having 2nd thoughts ........

Having it corrected would be for purely cosmetic reasons - It is not that DH & I want her to look "perfect" in photographs or anything; just that we are worried she might come home from school when she is older and be upset because she is being bullied for having wonky eyes or that it might become an issue for her when she is older, particularly as a girl (body image etc).

We would rather she had the operation while she is still too young to remember it clearly if that makes any sort of sense!!? We figure it would be much more traumatic putting a 7/8 year old through an operation than a 3.5 yr old.

I'm I a cruel, mean mummy or am I right for her to have the op at the present time??

The operation would be on both of her eyes and would be day surgery. Recovery time could be anything up to a week-ish .....

Yes, do ask them. All the best for your dd. (I received fantastic presents after the operation... )

LOL Franc.

DD's eyes can't be corrected by glasses, which is partly why I've opted for the surgery, aside from the cosmetic reasons....

Just wanted to say Good luck today Captain...
Hope DD's op went well & she is recovering nicely

Rosy
xxxx

yes hope all went well

Twig x

I had an operation when I was about 6 I think. It was pretty sucessful ,although I still have a slightly lazy eye when I am tired. This was in the seventies btw, sure procedures are better now.
I would say go for it. My 2 year old has fairly recently had a hernia op, and he sailed through it, won't remember it and its all good.
Also, I think it can make a person really really self conscious to be worried about ones gaze, eye contact, etc. It can make some one look shifty, and is very noticable. I am very glad that my parents had mine done, which I am informed was fairly slight, and you can't see it in photos.
HOpe this helps

Boo! Exhausted so only popping in quickly to say thank you for your thoughts & prayers today We are home now & DD1 is safely tuckled up in our bed. It has gone pretty smoothly by all accounts.... DD2 & DD3 went down for naps ok this morning, MIL coped ok, DD1 fell asleep for an hr before the surgery - phew - she was very, very upset about not having breakfast was screaming the place down for the best part of an hour when we first arrived at the hospital- think she wore herself out!

The anesthetic bit and the "coming round" after the op bits were pretty traumatic to say the least, but apart from that, it has gone well. Too early to say whether it has been a complete success, but eye only looks a little red & bloodshot, DD1 complaining a bit about itchiness & pain; right as rain, if a little tired & groggy.

That is about all I can manage atm, but will talk about it more in the morning - feel free to fire Q's at me, rosy! (...and don't forget to email your address - pic is all ready to post....)

Night. xx

Have emailed you, rosy!

All the best for today, Rosybelle! Sending love and cuddles to your little girl from my little girl (hope you got the email ok.) Please post & let me know how it went sweetie - She will be absolutely fine. xxxxx

Hi Captain

Just a quickie to say thanks for your good wishes... will get to email later...

Well it was the most traumatic thing have ever been through...
They couldn't get a vein up in either of her hands... but had a good go at trying with needles so you can imagine what a state she was in after 5 mins of trying.... so we had to hold her down while they forced the mask on her but she was fighting it all the way!

They promised they would come & get us when she was in recovery. They said it would take 45 mins to an hour!! 2 hours later (& with us pulling our hair out) we heard her screams coming down the corridor... they hadn't bothered to call us & had just brought her back to the ward

She threw up once in the car - and was throwing up until midnight... and is now really sore..

Hope it gets better soon... she is curled up on the sofa now watching Hi5.

Rosy
xx

Poor wee thing.

Yes, our hospital did exactly the same thing with recovery Bastards!!

{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}

They shoud have just gone straight with the gas instead of trying to do the needles - how terrible.

Sorry about the puking too.

You must be feeling so awful now - sending you oooooodles and oooooodles of huggles.

She'll bounce back in no time. xxxx