Cleft lip

[Dino@vvm.com]

My son was born with a cleft lip this year. I gave birth to
him during a weekend and the cleft lip team at the hospital where
I gave birth were not avalible. My husband and I felt swept under
the rug and were told to contact someone on monday after we were
discharged. I was histerical and demanded I see someone before
discharge. We were seen by a very nice NICU pediatrician and
follow up appointments were made for 3 weeks later for the
plastic surgeon. My son had surgery at 10 1/2 weeks old and it
was a long hard recovery period. Our son looks even more
beautiful than he looked before but the doctor says he will
probably have to have surgery on a submucus cleft someday. I need
more info on submucus cleft. I cant see any deviation in my sons
palate so what it is ????? I am very glad I can Finally Meet
someone with the same experience as me. It was an unexpected
experience and I only wish during ultrasound test this would have
been noticed so I could have been better prepared.

[Lisa]

I was fortunate enough that my sons cleft was discovered in a
sonogram. I'm sure it must have been a surprise in the labor room
for you. I'm sure your son was as beautiful as mine was when he
was born. He had surgery at three months. He is now 3 years old
and had some touch up surgery. The cleft team he had was
wonderful,his plastic surgeon a true angel. I wasn't sure of
going on with the second surgery until I received messages from
some very wondeful people on this board. You've come to the right
place. I wish you the best of luck with your little guy!!!

[tweed1@frontiernet.net]

My daughter was born in 1991, she is a twin, and had an unexpected cleft and partial palate/alveolor notch? Same as your son. Her recovery was quick and I continued to nurse her and her brother until they were 8mo. Hannah is now 8. The orthodontist put her in braces last year to widen her upper jaw and to turn her front teeth forward (they were sideways). He recommended this so she would not have any self conscience feelings before her repair. The notch will be repaired this summer with a bone graft from her hip. I am unsure yet of the details of that surgery but hope to have answers soon. The best news is that you have already found this site. I only found out about it yesterday!!! It is so good to be able to find others with similar situations all together in one site! As opposed to my stopping people in the mall when I recognize their child had a similar scar!! Good luck to you and please email me if you need to talk more or need any questions answered. Also, I recommend a team approach if you have one available they seem to be able to be more helpful than one doctor at a time. Best to you and your son! Sheila