Feeling Skeptical!

[melsch]

While Logan has bounced back and is acting completely normal (aside from sleeping) I am not convinced his forehead is going to return to looking 'normal'. His left eye has yet to fully open and the build out is still so apparent, it's hard for me to believe the doctors when they tell me it will all smooth out over time.

My husband says I can't judge until the follow up in a few weeks, but I am having a hard time being patient. I can handle the larger than normal forehead look, but the eye thing is really bothering me. It's like they built the brow bone down to far on that side...Sorry, I'm rambling, but hubby's optimism doesn't let me vent too often...

Any body else experienced a prolonged 'swelling' of the eyes? Am I being overly concerned? Everyone else's babies in their pictures look so perfect almost immediately...

Don't get me wrong, his personality and development are FAR more important than his eye being half closed, but it does concern me.

[sarahob]

Sorry Melissa - I can't really help you out with the eye thing because we didn't have to deal with that at all. Can you call your doctor to ask?

Does he still look swollen? Maybe he is just taking a bit longer than normal. Our ps told us that the swelling can last for months. We are almost 4 weeks post-op and Gavin is still swollen. Although nobody would ever really notice I know he's swollen because when I take his winter hat off (which isn't tight at all), it leaves a ring around his head.

I know what you mean about your hubby's optimism - my husband is the same. Everytime I mentioned something I thought may be wrong he just thinks I am being silly and tells me everything is fine. Feel free to vent to us anytime.

I hope you can get some answers and ease your worries.

[marisajo]

We had issues with the left eye too. :-) If you check out Zack's site (www.thestatus.com patient:kroger pwd:zack1023) you can see photos of his recovery. The early ones say how far post-op we were. I really don't think you can tell alot until 3-4 months post-op. The swelling and extra build-out of the brow bone makes their heads look HUGE for awhile, and some kids take longer than others to grow into it. I thought Zack's was built out too much too, but we actually ended up rounding out his temples further when we had to go in for his cranioplasty to fill in some spots.

I think Logan's looking good so far! I remember the "What have I done?!?!" feeling all too well.

[charliesmummy]

Melissa, im not too sure i can give much advice but Charlie had quite a bit of swelling to the side of his temples for a few weeks & his right eyelid looked more puffy & closed than the other one. I was worried he was going to have one eye smaller than the other but as you can see from his photo 10 weeks down the line his big beautiful blues are back!! I was the same, very impatient, i want immediate results but after such a huge opp the healing does take time. I had a slightly different concern with Charlie which i never mentioned to anyone but when they gave him a new forehead, the old forehead was broken up & just placed back on the top of his head which meant he had quite a dip from his new forehead to his old forehead(now the top of his head). I didnt believe the docs when they said give it time & his head would re-shape but in just 10 weeks it's hardly noticable, the healing process is amazing. Hang in ther Mel, but if you still get worried then ring the hospital for more advice. Hugs to you and your lovely little man xx

[craniomommynbaby]

Residual swelling can last up to 6 months. You might notice it more when he is lying on his side. The fluid will be pulled by gravity and pool so that the face looks uneven. Like everyone has said, just give it some time.

[Jennifer]

I had the same worry- that they over corrected her eye and it went from the 'wide' eye to the squinty eye....time was all she needed though-- in a few months time she had the most even eyes......if there is something nagging though- ask!! You have every right. I'll bet they say to just give it time, but never hesitate to ask!

[melsch]

See, I knew you ladies would have some useful advice - I'll just skip telling my hubby he was right :) I nagged the doctors so much in the hospital about the horns, they are gonna request to only have office visits with my husband! I will give it some more time, it helps to know I am not alone!

[melsch]

I remember the "What have I done?!?!" feeling all too well.

OMG Yes!!! That's exactly what it is! Immediately following surgery I was almost as upset as I was when they took him back! I feel much better now!

[carrielulu]

I feel better reading this too. Hayleigh also had her right eye worked on, and it was swollen shut for a couple days, and its been almost 2 weeks now and although there doesnt seem to be any more discoloration, the eye does seem a lot smaller than her other one. Even though it doesnt look like its swollen Im sure it is. Anyways Im posting pics soon.

[Tawnia]

Yeah don't worry. 6 weeks after her surgery Azia's eyes still looked more almond shaped than before and one eye looked smaller. I was so worried I wouldn't be getting those big round eyes back! It is 3 months post-op now and you can see they are as round as ever!