Surgery for Tounge Tied Toddler

T.,

I know lot have responed but My daughters wasnot found til she was a week old the the Dr. suggested that we wait but when she was six months old I took her to the ENT Dr and to look at it he said yes it needed to be done and the younger the better becuase it takes them 6 months to a year to completely retrian themselves how to use that musle. We did it the next week at the ENT Dr and I was their and watched the worse part in her case was the shot to numb it. then you wait for it the work then they clip it in about 30 seconds they watch it and wait for the bleeding to stop. All a did was give her tyn. for one day and the next day she could eat better and stuck her tounge out for the first time. She had only been saying a couple of words at 6 months and she begin to start doing rasberries and stuff her had never been able to do it was amazing. So please see the ENT DR and get it done it only cost us around $200 at the ENT Dr. Good luck
B.

I was tongue tied my entire life until I got the surgery at 25. I would suggest the sooner the better. If your child is having problems speaking DEFINITELY get it done. Mine was a laser surgery and down time was a day, with me speaking by day three. The worst part was not the pain from the surgery but the feeling that my tongue was going to fall out of my mouth. Also, I choked on it while sleeping. You see, the muscles that prevent those things weren't necessary when it was tied so they atrophied to almost nothing. My tongue LITERALLY would fall into my throat in my sleep. My tongue and cheeks were sore from using muscles I'd never needed before. Also, since that time I have been grinding my teeth and sucking my mouth in in my sleep resulting in my teeth moving SIGNIFICANTLY into my mouth so that my perfect smile on the bottom now has several teeth overlapping and my 1/8 inch gap on the top b/w my two top teeth is now completely closed with my teeth pointing inward.

I highly suggest doing it.....but be prepared for weirdness with the mouth/tongue muscles.

Both of my children had the tongue tied procedure done. My daughter had it at 3 months as it was affecting her eating. She had a general anesthesia and was out for maybe 6 minutes. It was not a long healing process. My son is 5 and went to the ENT as they thought the tongue issue was affecting his speech. The Dr. cut it right there and then no anesthesia or anything. He cried innitially but it was over so fast, no bleeding and no big deal. I have been tongue tied my entire life and never had the procedure done. MY husband was tongue tied and had the procedure. I would suggest the sooner the better.

I work at a Hospital in NC.
I would really suggest doing some research and possibly visiting other doctors...Ones who really care!
You don't want your child to be in pain around Christmas and if it can hold off until afterwards...then I would wait.
But look around and see which Doctor fits your family best...

You asked for advice, so here goes.....First, Get another Doctor's opinion and make sure he/she does the proper tests to determine that surgery is necessary. If you are not satisfied with the examination, get ANOTHER opinion. Second, I would highly recommend NOT having the surgery 2 days before Christmas, and especially if you are getting ready to leave town later that day. What if there is a complication? Reaction to medication? What if something happens and you're on the road in the middle of nowhere? If it is determined that the surgery is necessary, I would absolutely WAIT until you can make sure he will be at home, in a comfortable, familiar environment, at least for a few days afterwards. Personally, I would much rather err on the side of caution with a child that young. Good Luck with everything!

I would do the surgery. I know a kid who has this and did not have the surgery, he is 7 and talks funny. The surgery is minor and more like getting dental work, pain can definitely be controled with tylenol/motrin. The surgeon doesn't need to hear him talk since the pediatrician refered him. The surgeon already knows the issues at hand. I think you are doing the right thing!

My cousin had this issue (he is now 30) and all through childhood he wished his parents had been able to take care of it. Once he got it taken care of he was much happier and he spoke much better. He said that with his tongue being tied his tongue was tired all the time (it is a muscle). He didn't speak of any pain, however I would ask to reschedule the surgery. What a jerk to schedule it right before Christmas. If your child has dealt with it this long, how would another month or two make any difference? I would go through with the surgery, just after the New Year!
Surgeons go into surgery with the means and want to help people, not just cut them up. If you look at your son's situation like that you will only look at it negatively and that doesn't help anyone.

Hi. I was tongue-tied as a child. I couldn't stick my tongue out or say anything with an "Y." Yellow was Lellow. They clipped that little bit of tissue under my tongue when I was in, oh I guess kindergarten. It's an out patient procedure. Mom drove me from the dentist's office straight to the surgeon's. It looked just like a dentist office. It took maybe 30-45 minutes from the time we got there till we left. Most of that was time spent talking between Mom and the surgeon. If you have concerns about how the pediatrician made the recommendation, then of course you might want a second opinion. I don't think though that the procedure should alarm you. Unless things have changed, which it doesn't sound like they have, it's a very quick procedure. And I don't think it even bothered me.

our twin granddaughters had this done about age two when they had tubes put in ears. It caused no problems. They just clip that little piece of flesh under the tongue.

Doctors are very concerned with malpractice, and generally speaking know/practice that there is always risk with surgery, and err on the side of caution. You might ask your child's pediatrician if he/she is familiar with this surgeon. I thought my son's ENT was hasty in recommending tubes and T&A, so went to the family doctor for a second opinion, and he said that that ENT was not surgery happy at all, and that he had sent patients to him thinking they needed the surgery, but the ENT didn't think so and wouldn't do it. Another time a pediatrician thought my son had hydrocele and sent us to a surgeon for a consult. The surgeon wondered why we were there because he couldn't see much of a problem at all. They are specialists, and are likely so familiar with your son's issue that he can detect it readily; and they put a lot of stock in what the parents have to say about it all. I myself went in for a Lasik consult once, and was told "no way" by the doctors, as they considered my vision too good and "there is always a risk with surgery". My dad once went in for surgery on a hernia in his groin, and thought he'd do the surgical staff a favor by shaving the area himself in the bath before going in. The female surgeon didn't look at the site before he was anesthetized, and so once she saw it, wouldn't do the surgery because there could have been bacteria on the site (from his shaving it so thoroughly, maybe ingrown hairs?). She sent him home on antibiotics and rescheduled the surgery. So, short of getting a second opinion, ask others who know this doctor if they trust his opinion. Good luck! Also, kids recuperate much more quickly the younger they are. My son recovered in a couple of days from the T&A, whereas an adult might take a couple of weeks.

My son had this done when he was 10 days old. I just couldn't understand why when we nursed that both he and I were soaked afterwards! Finally, my husband's cousin who had a baby 9 months earlier told me to look for it because her son had it too. Sure enough he was tongue tied! We took him to Pediatrician and he recommended a ENT and when we went to visit the doctor was horrible to me -- he said that if I would feed him a bottle instead of nursing they wouldn't have to do the surgery! I went home crying, but my husband reassured me that I was doing the right thing by breastfeeding our child and we had the surgery (the doctor was the best in the area, but a jerk), anyway, we left my son in the hands of the nurse and by the time we sat down in the waiting room, the doctor was out telling us our son was still a little sleepy but would be fine! How quick was that. As soon as we reached his room (they kept him overnight because of being 10 days old to make sure the anethesia didn't affect him) the nurse told me to nurse him and that boy ate and ate and ate with no mess! He had been starved for days!!!!!!!! Poor thing!

Good Luck and remember to just place it all in God's Hands!

I would suggest getting a second opinion if you are not comfortable with the physician's recommendation for surgery.

Good luck -

Hi,
My son had his tongue clipped when he was three weeks old. It took about two seconds and there was no pain or pain medicine used. He didn't feel a thing! I'm not sure if there is a difference when they get older that requires a more complicated procedure, but if it's the clipping that they suggest, I highly recommend it! He had trouble breastfeeding before but none immediately after.

My brother had the surgery as a small infant. He has never had any problems talking or being tongue tied. Mom said they just clipped the skin under his tongue and made it able to move better. He is now 53 and has no problems.

Do it now!!!!
It's simpler and wonderful for your son. He will appreciate it and will eat and speak better.

My sister and my cousin had this surgery. I don't remember her even complaining about it. My cousin had it too. I think they were both older though. My sister couldn't stick out her toungue at all before she had the surgery. Boy did I have fun with that!!!

My oldest son had the surgery when he was about three. We were told that there would be no pain after the surgery, and the doctor was right. My son didn't complain at all. It's was like he didn't have surgery. It will be okay. Trust me.

My husband was tongue tied and had the surgery as a baby and doesn't remember any of it. We have a daughter who is tongue tied and we did not do the surgery as we were told it wasn't necessary. She is now 7 and has had no problems. She speaks fine which was a big concern. I am sure your son will recover quickly but perhaps you could ask for for a second opinion if this doctor wasn't paying enough attention to your son. I know this isn't much help, but I wanted you to know that it can work out either choice you make.

My dd was slightly tongue tied. The dr. that examined her before we left the hospital never found it. If he had found it, they would've snipped it right then. When she was about 2 months old, I was reading an article about it & it said one of the signs was not being able to stick their tongue out past their lips & also difficulty nursing. Well, I was unsuccessful at nursing & I did notice that she never stuck her tongue out very far. So at her next check up I asked her Ped. about it. She said yes, she is slightly tongue tied & would refer us to a ENT surgeon. Neither dr. could guarantee that she would not have any speech difficulties without this corrective surgery. We decided to have the procedure done. She was 4 months old at the time. It was a very quick procedure. They do have to use general anesthesia to keep them still enough - whereas if they do it at birth they don't use anything. The surgeon told us they same thing about not having any problems after the surgery. They did give her Tylenol w/ codeine before we left the hospital, but by that afternoon she was in pain. We called the surgeon & he said to alternate Motrin & Tylenol every 3 hours. We had to do that for 2 days to keep her comfortable. After a couple of days, she was back to her old self. She was about 6 months old before she realized she could stick her tongue out. While I don't regret having the surgery, I wish it would've been done at birth or shortly after. BTW, it is hereditary. We later found out that my FIL, dh's niece & cousin were all tongue tied. And as far as we know all were corrected at birth.

I would not be seeing a surgeon for this-our son had it done in the doctors office with a very quick snip, it was all over.

They did not give our child any pain reliever and within 30 seconds he was not crying or seemed the least bit upset. He was very tongue tied, could not put his tongue even to his gums.

Going off a bit on a tangent, I would REALLY consider leaving your ped. Any baby who is obviously tongue tied and not gaining and having trouble nursing should have been clipped a looooooooong time ago. If my ped had let this go for 2 years, I would have dropped him like a hot rock because you are talking about something that is clearly obvious, how is he going to treat something that is not nearly as obvious?

Good luck in whatever you decide!

My niece had this surgery when she was a toddler. Some of the posts have said that you should look into alternatives to surgery. As far as I know, surgery is what you need, not something else. My niece saw a speech therapist for awhile afterwards and was quickly able to 'catch up' to age appropriate speech. She is now 14 and has beautiful diction. Maybe see if it's possible to schedule the surgery for either a few days earlier or when you return if you're concerned. Or, leave a day later to give your son a day to rest after an exhausting experience (surgery of any kind is tiring on your body - even getting a tooth filled leaves a body a little tired...) Good luck and don't worry.

Hey T.,
My brother was tongue tied as a child and my parents waited for his teeth to clip it. That never happened, so the dentist clipped it when he was about 4. Three of his 4 children were tongue tied too. The oldest (now 7) still has hers tied, it's not really affecting her speech, only on a few things. The third child (now 2) was not severe and his teeth clipped it. The 4th child (now 1) was a severe case. She couldn't eat because of it. My sister-in-law took her to the ENT when she was just a few days old. He clipped it, didn't need medication, she cried until she got back to her mommy and that's it. There was a few drops of blood but that was all.
I know it's a hard thing to decided. But, if he didn't need the procedure, I'm sure the doctor wouldn't suggest it. And, if he is having problems eating, I would definately have it done.
Best Wishes!

Hi T.,
Both my sons were tongue-tied; the first one, they clipped his tongue right away. The next year when the next one was born at a different hospital they waited it was miserable for him, his tongue would not let him lick his lips or stick his tongue our like other babies. He had a little trouble nursing. I wish they would have done his early too because when they are very tiny it does not seem to hurt as much. Later when my second son's was clipped he was in considerable discomfort but not in excruciating pain. Ice chips under his tongue helped. And a spritz of Chloraseptic Spray made a lot of difference. They call it surgery but it is really a small clip of the frenulum AKA little ridge of skin that holds the tongue down. My suggestion is get it done if he really is tongue tied because if you wait it will be more painful.
Good luck,
M.

I agree with the nurse, it should have been done after birth. If your dr didn't look at him too much, which indicates to me, that he isn't too concerned, I would seek a second opinion. I would want someone that is concerned and will take care of him before and after and cares what is going on. I know they are busy but they can still "care" and spend a little time being concerned and explaining it all to you.
yes, surgeons don't really look either. They are just there to do what the other dr said to do so they are the wrong person to seek help from.
Go see another pediatrician and wait till after xmas.
He is not going to feel good after and he will hurt I don't care what the dr told you.
Good luck.

I had a lisp that I had to work around all through my growing-up years. It wasn't until my wisdom teeth were pulled that the dentist realized my tongue was connected too far forward and that was why it was hard to talk. How I wish someone had discovered it earlier! Mine was pretty minor; I would definitely have it done for my children if they showed signs of it. I remember that recovery from my wisdom teeth hurt way more than my tongue; in fact, I don't remember it hurting at all, but I was also recovering from the other surgery, so maybe it hurt a little. If you have to put it off because of Christmas, sure, put it off. But for your son's sake, I would really recommend the surgery, especially if it's interfering with his speech, even a little. Wish MY doctor had figured it out!! :)

Get a 2nd Opinion. Don't have necessary surgeries done to your child if not really needed. Good luck.

Sometimes the problem fixes itself as the child gets older so waiting was a reasonable decision. If its causing him problems though there's no reason not to do the surgery. Its a simple little incision to separate a thin bit of tissue, very minor. If you're not comfortable with the surgeon's exam or him in general or the scheduling, then find a new doctor or put off the surgery. You're the parent and you're in control of these things.

.

My DS had the surgery last fall. His was 4. The first pediatrician we talked to said, that as long as he could reach his tongue around to clean his teeth, it wasn't a problem. The next one I asked (same practice) deferred to the dentist. The dentist deferred to the speech therapist. It took her about 5 seconds to say, "yeah, I think it would help." The surgeon took about 2 minutes to say, "yeah, it's a good idea."

As far as the surgery itself: I took DD to the waiting room. DH took DS to the surgery suite. By the time he got to the waiting room, the surgeon was coming out with the results. They have to eat soft food for the rest of the day. I would say go for 'bland' too. We tried a biscuit on the way home and I think the salt bothered him. He was drowsy for a while after surgery, but was back up and bouncing off the walls before the day was out.

I don't know if I would plan a road-trip for the same day. I don't remember DS being cranky, but each child is different. Would it be possible to change the surgery appointment for when you return.

DS took about 3-4 months of speech therapy and was said to be making age-appropriate speech. It just needed time for the muscle to relax after surgery.

HTH

Hey T. - My son Kaleb had the surgery done at 19 months old in addition to haveing tubes in his ears (2nd time) and adenoid out. He was fine the next day. I kept him on soft foods for a few days. It wasn't a big deal with him. If your son will be under just be prepared he may wake up screaming and unconsoliable. That hard to deal with be normal. Hope everything goes well with your son. Have a wonderful Christmas!
D. - Mother of a Wonderful 2 year old

Yes, it is a very quick, simple, relatively painless procedure, which can be done at home, or in the Drs office.
it shouldn't interfere with your trip, and would be a great Christmas present for the boy! If you are against the procedure, speech therepy can help him talk better, but a simple frenulectomy will be a blessing to him, eating & talking better, will make it such a joy, he may not want to stop doing either, once he starts!
M., CPM

I have never heard of this! But any surgery on a little one concerns me. I would go back to the doctor and ask a lot of questions. What causes this? Are there any other remedies besides surgery? Exactly what does the surgery consist of? I would go online and read about the condition. Do you know any speech pathologists or therapists who could look at him and explain this condition to you? If you are uncomfortable, slow down. Surgery may still be the best option, but you need to feel comfortable about it first. Good luck.