[cgeorge]

Anyone have an infant that has gone through surgery? My 7 month old daughter is getting ready to have plastic surgery to have a cyst remove. Not sure what to expect. It is supposed to be a simple procedure.

[Alejandros Mommy]

hugZ I can understand how scary it is....my oldest didn't have surgery but he was in the hospital for a whole month when he was 6mnths old...it can be a scary experience to be at the hospital...esp with a little one.

Mind if I ask what kind of cyst it is?

[mcmama]

Yes, my son who is now a teen had two operations in his first six months for megaureter repair. His ureter was blocked, leading to bladder infections and back up in the kidney. Today he is fine.

For me what was stressful in addition to the surgery was the necessity for ultrasound which involved injecting him with dye and also a renal scan at 18 months for follow up. A renal scan drains all urine, and so the baby is dehydrated and has to remain still - which meant that I had to stand there with liquids that he could not hold due to being strapped down. And he was furious. At newborn stage the testing was not as horrible as it was at 18 months.

It is difficult to watch your child be sedated and undergo these procedures, but when you have capable physicians and a good hospital, the procedures are well worth it - and a lot easier to deal with infants than older children.

When Joe was in the hospital, I met families whose children were much sicker than he was, and it gave me perspective. I also met families who stressed over the slightest thing - and I found them much more difficult to deal with. The saddest patients though were the infants and toddlers who were victims of abuse - whose families never came to visit but were pressuring DYFS and the hospital to release the kids (since visiting was such a hassle).

Make sure that you are well informed, and are able to stay with the baby as much as possible. Ask as many questions as you need, and keep asking! That helps to reassure you, and also to show the doctor that you will be doing all the right things post surgery.

[cgeorge]

They told us it was a dermoid cyst. It is above her eye on her brow.

[Alejandros Mommy]

I found a great info site for you; by the looks of it is looks like a day procedure surgery. Nothing that is major but I can understand that it is scary for you. I hope that all goes well with your little girls surgery.

[mcmama]

Yes, that is a sensitive location. You are right to be concerned. But better to have it done now, before she can talk back and have temper about it, or fear. She will be fine, I am sure. She'll look great, and have no memory of this.

[kimmy0902]

My son had to have surgery when he was 6 weeks old. He was born with Sagittal Craniosynostosis. I know how scary surgery can be. Especially when it is your baby that has to go through it. If you need to talk to someone I'm here.

[kimmy0902]

I should of added that Tyler is 4 months now and although, he has to wear a helmet he is the happiest baby!

[QueenAngie]

Cgeorge, this should be very simple & easy for both your DD and for you.

My great niece (now age 4) had hers removed above the eyebrow at age 18 months or so. My adult niece (her Mom) described it as very easy. There is no scaring. She looks beautiful. You'd never have known it was there, it has healed so well.

Who is doing it? A Plastic Surgeon? General Surgeon? Dermatologist?

[cgeorge]

A plastic surgeon is performing the procedure at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. I know things will probably go fine. I just can't get over my nervousness.