Post-op questions

[peg]

Luke had his CVR for metopic 2 weeks ago. His swelling has gone down and now we are left with what looks like a lot of over correction. We knew Dr. Fearon would over correct so there would be room to grow into his new forehead. I'm just curious when will we have the almost final look? I know that may take years, but when was your "ah ha" moment when you looked at your baby and said there he is? I think that was our BIGGEST shock that he did not look like Luke after. We are slowly seeing "him" more and more. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. :)

Peg & Luke

[BrendansMummy]

It took a good 6 weeks for all the swelling to go, you will be surprised at how much more swelling there is! It took me quite a while to get used to my sons new look, but i did and i think he is cuter than ever :hugg

[QueenB]

It took me awhile too. We were actually pretty upset right afterwards with how he looked. Like, "oh my God, what did we allow to happen to him". A little over a month later we were amazed by how good he looked. The swelling takes a while to go away and it just starts to look better and better. Even now, almost 4 months post-op, he looks even better than he did at 2 months.

[charliesmummy]

It took me a good 6 months to finally say 'there's my Charlie' and even longer for the final headshape to appear. I say final but Charlie is 3 years post op and over the last year i have still noticed slight changes x

[Sawyer's_Mom]

Sawyer is coming up on 3 months post-op and I still see lots of over correction on him. Dr F told us it could take years to see a final result and if we did choose to have a 2nd surgery it most likely wouldn't be until around age 5. He also said he wouldn't suggest another surgery, it would be at our request if we weren't happy with the results achieved. So, maybe he figures by 5 they should be grown into the over corrected forehead?? IDK! : )

[peg]

It took me awhile too. We were actually pretty upset right afterwards with how he looked. Like, "oh my God, what did we allow to happen to him". A little over a month later we were amazed by how good he looked. The swelling takes a while to go away and it just starts to look better and better. Even now, almost 4 months post-op, he looks even better than he did at 2 months.

This is exactly how we felt after the surgery. :no I''m sure we will get used to his new and improved look as time goes by. I'm just happy it's over...the surgery part.

THANK you ladies for sharing!

[JDBtrigonobaby]

I was just saying the same thing today. I know we are freshly post-op, but I looked at him and all i could see was this over-correction. I know Dr. Fearon said he'd overcorrect, and he wasn't kidding! But he did say that if he gave him a head that fit him now, it would be too small later on. I'm sure once Joey gains more weight, he'll fill in his face more. I also noticed that his hair seems shorter, only b/c it used to fall across his point and now it sits further back on his head, leaving the forehead more exposed. So, I guess I notice it more.
I'm just so relieved he's recovering really well and almost back to his old self. A little clingy, but the personality is coming back!

[JDBtrigonobaby]

ps... anyone's kiddo have problems sleeping post-op? joey is waking up several times at night. he usually goes back to sleep, but the past two nights, he's gotten up 2 hours before his usual wake-up time and only falls back to sleep on mine or my husband's chest. i'm guessing that he's still a little scared? he's also cutting a back molar... FUN!

[peg]

[quote=JDBtrigonobaby;240093]ps... anyone's kiddo have problems sleeping post-op? joey is waking up several times at night. he usually goes back to sleep, but the past two nights, he's gotten up 2 hours before his usual wake-up time and only falls back to sleep on mine or my husband's chest. i'm guessing that he's still a little scared? he's also cutting a back molar...

Yes...Luke would wake up and cry for a short bit and fall back to sleep. He did this for about a week and now we are back to our normal night sleeping and day time routine/naps. Hang in there...I'm sure it was discomfort and such from the surgery.

BTW...Luke's forehead seems much longer too since his hairline has been pulled back also. Our poor little man, ahhh well at least they are doing amazing with their recovery!

[peg]

Sawyer is coming up on 3 months post-op and I still see lots of over correction on him. Dr F told us it could take years to see a final result and if we did choose to have a 2nd surgery it most likely wouldn't be until around age 5. He also said he wouldn't suggest another surgery, it would be at our request if we weren't happy with the results achieved. So, maybe he figures by 5 they should be grown into the over corrected forehead?? IDK! : )

Dr. Fearon suggested to wait to see if you like the results till age 5? Were you unhappy about something or was this just a worst case scenario question to him? He said that the only way there would be another surgery is if Luke was not happy with the results in his teens and it would be purely cosmetic? Hmmmm....I wish we could just move on!

[Amy K]

Peg, after 2wks you probably still have some swelling. Camden is at 4wks post-op and I think still has a bit of swelling. But yeh, his forehead is definitely bigger, wider, boxier! Surgery to the front of his head even changed his facial features slightly, but the "old" face is slowly coming back, only now with an improved head shape!

I've never heard of a child needing another surgery because the "over-correction" was too much. I really think that will get better, so try not to worry! :hugg

[KennysStory]

Kenny had his surgery at the end of May, and he is looking so good now, I look at him and don't even think about the surgery. I would say he started to look like himself about 2-3 months after surgery. My husband and I just watched a video from pre-op and wow, his head did not look good at all. I think when they are your child you think they are beautiful no matter what -- but now looking at him, I think surgery was the best thing we have done for him. I will upload a new pick - check it out in my album.