OMG-surgery tomorrow!

babybear · #1 02-02-2009, 02:48 PM

Gabriel's palate repair surgery has been bumped up from March 3 to tomorrow! We agreed to the change because he is healthy right now, and we want to get him moving in a positive direction. Plus, he has 2 all-day growth hormone stim tests in March, so I'd rather have him feeling better for those. Can anyone tell me how long the recovery process is, in general? We were told that he'll only be in the hospital for 1 night, but I'm expecting 2. I'm so nervous...I hope he does ok.

saywhatyouwill · #2 02-02-2009, 03:04 PM

good luck x

faywrayy · #3 02-02-2009, 03:04 PM

My daughter Kate had her palate repaired Dec 07; she was 14 mos. At that time, she was very healthy and learning to eat. She was almost 100% oral during the day and got 3 tube feeds overnight of Enfamil. We alsways let her bottle feed during the day, but she never took more than an oz or 2. Her surgeon told us there was no need to wean her to a sippy cup prior to surgery so we didn't. (She did know how to use a cup though) The repair itself was uncomplicated. Dr. K told us it was was of the dryest he'd ever done: not a lot of blood or secretions. The aftermath was less pretty. Ultimately, it was 12hrs of horror and then ok from that point on. We were discharged from the hospital the next afternoon but only because she had a feeding tube in place. If she hadn't, we'd probably still be there trying to get her to eat and drink.

Kate was on the very, very long road towards eating orally when she had the procedure. It definitely set her back a few weeks. She took almost nothing by mouth for 3 weeks following, but she was happy and back to herself by post op day 3 or 4. She was discharged with Tylenol with Codeine and an abx. We used the Tylenol w/Codeine for 2 nights at home, so she'd get a good nights sleep but after that she didn't need it.

I hope this answers your questions. Anymore and I'd be happy to answer them!

Oh, and Kate quickly picked up eating again after the 3 weeks. In fact, so much so that she was discharged from the feeding program 12 weeks after the surgery and was 100 % oral (day and night) 7 months post op.

Good luck and try not to worry. Even if he looks like crap the first 12 hours, he really will be ok shortly thereafter.

Gretchen(Celia's mom) · #4 02-02-2009, 05:38 PM

Celia was 9 years old when she had hers repaired-no you didn't read that wrong(long story-jerky doctors)-she recovered amazingly, however I think some of that is because she doesn't take anythig by mouth. Her cleft was complete cleft of the soft and a small bit of the hard.
Good luck I will be saying a prayer!!