adopting child with cleft lip and palate

[Jennifer]

Hi, my husband and I are adopting a child (he's 16 months now) from Bulgaria with a cleft lip and palate. He had surgery on his lip at the age of 12 months but has not had palate surgery yet. I would like to know what the first thing we should do when we bring him home (probably Aug to Oct) regarding his condition. Should he be scheduled immediately for surgery?

[Anonymous]

I don't know much about thesystem where you live, but just thought I'd say congrats on the new arrival

[acrossdeemiles]

I live in Canada and our craniofacial doctors are basically assigned to us but I did hear of a resource that may be of help:
Cleftline: 1-800-24CLEFT
cleftline@aol.com
www.cleftline.org


It is sponsored by the Cleft Palate foundation they say they can help with finding a craniofacial team.
Congratulations on you new addition and good luck.

[Jennifer]

Thanks for the congratulations. We are very much looking forward to Theodore's coming home.

[Caroldove@aol.com]

Congratulations!!!
My daughter Katie was born with a cleft lip and palate. She is adopted from Korea and is now 12 years old.


I would look into your cleft palate teams in the area and decide the best one for you. I personally would not have the surgery done to quickly. You are both going to need time to bond. When this little guy goes into surgery it will be so nice for him to have you there with him as someone he knows and loves. Just think how much he is going to have to go through with just the adjustments of new people, new language, new foods! Give yourselves time to get to know each other! This is just my opinion but I think it is a good one! Take care and good luck! I can still remember that feeling of just wanting them home, NOW!
Carol

[Valeri]

Congratulations!
My boy (he is 2 1/2 years old now) also has cleft
lip and palate.His lip operation was on 8 months
of age.The theory of the surgeon(who I think is
the best on my small country)is that later palate
operation would be better.In this case there would
not be need many surgeries because the tissue would
be enough for almost single one.Of course there
have many surgeons with different theoris but I
believe on MY doctor.
Feel free to email my any questions.
Good look.
Valeri.


P.S.We are from Bulgaria.