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ok. my 17mos old has metopic craniosynostosis. her forehead fused together at birth, so its not allowing for proper head growth. in the bathtub, when you look down at her, her head is like a triangle. her forehead is not flat like most - its caved in on the sides with a slowly protruding point at the middle of her forehead.
thankfully, she does not have the medical issues to go along with it like some kids do. also, fortunately it is not obvious to a casual person because her hair covers alot of it.
so - we have been referred to a plastic surgeon & neuro surgeon for corrective plastic surgery. basically, they remove the forhead bone and reshape it. its a 6hr surgery with 3+ days in ped icu and another 3+ days in the ped. ward...with 1-2 mos recovery at home in getting back to normal sleep, eating and general personality patterns.
this surgery would be cosmetic - the docs do this surgery as a preventive method to avoid a child having a funny looking head as an adult - and to avoid possible/probably teasing, which could lead to bigger issues.
unfortunately, no one knows what my daughter will look like when shes 13, 17, 24. i dont know if this ridge will get much worse. i dont know if i choose not to do this surgery if she'll skate by with no one, including her, noticing. i dont know if i choose not to do it if she will be plauged with teasing, tormenting and low self esteem/self worth because of her head being the way it will be. i dont know if my daughter will turn out to be a strong kid who may be able to shrug off teasing, or if she may be very sensitive and therefore any teasing or feeling that she is a freak might plague her for her life.
so what to do? do i sign my baby up for a very serious surgery based on "what if" ? or do i spare her the surgery and cross my fingers that she and no one else notices?
what would you do? do you know someone with a cosmetic deformaty that has affected their lives? im really torn.
oh - and the docs do this type of surgery now because the younger, the thinner the skull so the surgery isnt so severe as it would be at age 4,7,10. also, you get much better results this young since their heads are still growing, and the kids never remember the surgery. docs told me that if we wait and see and come back at age 10, 14, 17 that the surgery/healing/outcome is longer, more serious and not at good.
i need some thoughts on this one. surgery is scheduled for late august.
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oh, and the surgery is covered by insurance - its a birth defect.
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If it were me, I would do it. Little ones heal so much faster, don't have the momery of the pain later on, and like you said, will prevent teasing etc. BUT, with that siad, it's a major surgery with risks. I am sure you will do your research and pray a lot. You'll do the right thing for your child and family whethere it's wait or not.
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I am going to tell you from my gut and heart. I would get a couple of expert opinions - talk to a couple of doctors from DIFFERENT practices. I have been through plastic surgeries for separate reasons on each of my kids. It is a hard decision. If you don't do it, is there room for her brain to grow? Could there be complications if it's not done? Being a girl, I would think the scar would be pretty easy to cover and plastic surgery today is so much better. Just be sure you get references and see if you can get pictures or meet other patients.
If it were my child, I would probably do it. I say that because I had to make decisions like this, but it wasn't on the head part. I did talk to other patients who had to make those decisions. I would also do exactly what you are doing: reach out to others to find someone who has been through this exact surgery. But I vote for yes, do your research, and if it all backs up what you've been told - be sure you meet w/the surgeon and feel good about him - I'd do it. Your surgeon should be kind, professional but most of all, competent. He should not brush off ANY of your fears. I adored dd's orthopedic surgeon and was very happy with the hospital choices both times I had my kids in.
Above all, go with your heart. Do think for the future. Kids bounce back from surgery more quickly than grown ups do, and pain seems easily controlled w/proper meds during the healing process. But be prepared to be there round-the-clock during the initial healing process. DD sweated a lot and while groggy, just needed me there, holding her hand and hugging her.
Whatever decision you make, it will be the right one.
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Wow, what a decision!! I think I would do it now, and get it done and over with, that said, I agree w/desertmom when she said go with your heart. You'll make the right decision! Good Luck & Keep us posted!!