https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:56:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2838143 Mon, 06 Aug 2018 11:14:14 +0000 MaryM 2838143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: Thanks for explaining the double diapering! The nurse I talked to said this might be something we were told to do, but didn't explain what it was. That makes a lot of sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2838090 Mon, 06 Aug 2018 04:45:36 +0000 Kaohinani 2838090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Marym:<br /> My son was born with a very slight hypospadia (along with a high palate and tachycardia). They noticed the hypospadias in the hospital around the time they were going to attempt a circumcision but decided against the circumcision (even partial) to maintain the quality of flesh for a future procedure (* which he had at 6 mos old). </p> <p>At 6 mos of age, my son had an early morning appointment at the Vanderbuilt children's hospital in Nashville. We were told no morning feedings of cereals, fruits/vegetables, or formula but he could "sip" water or breast milk if he was extremely thirsty. It was absolute H*LL, as my son is a hearty eater and hated sipping. It was also difficult to watch him get attached to an IV after changing him into a tiny surgical gown. He was allowed a pacifier and a small stuffed animal to take in with him. They lightly sedated him before my husband and I left him so he wouldn't cry. The surgery went very well. It took a bit for G to wake from the surgery "haze" and he was uncomfortable and a bit grouchy. I was told I should nurse him or feed him a bottle to get something in his stomach to counter some of the meds and because they were certain he was thirsty. He went through a bottle and a half of pumped breast milk. The hospital staff showed us his stent/catheter (* the tube in his urethra) which was stitched in and would remain for 2 weeks. They also showed us how to double-diaper for comfort which is cutting a hole for the penis to emerge in one diaper and placing a second diaper over the first to work as a cushion. The nurse stated that his testicles may be bruised and that he may cry when he urinates for a day but the medication for spasms, as well as, Tylenol, should calm the pain. We were advised no ride on toys, walkers, bouncers, teeter totters, swimming in pools, baby gymnastics, or play in which his member could be bumped. The doctor made one last check and told us that we were lucky my son had a very minor hypospadias and larger penis with extra tissue as the procedure could not have gone smoother .... To this, my husband beamed (Yes, he was both happy my son's procedure was an easy one and he was VERY happy to hear "HIS" son was on the larger side. It is a guy thing, right?). </p> <p>Anyway, my son is 3 now. He urinates fine and is expected to have no further issues. He is an amazing kid and is my angel. I will keep you and your son in my thoughts. Please - Keep us updated on how it goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2838072 Sun, 05 Aug 2018 19:45:43 +0000 KatieBklyn 2838072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son had a chordee repair at six months, so very similar except your son might have a catheter for some of his recovery? Sorry, it was years ago now and my memory is a bit blurry. But recovery was actually super easy after the first day. </p> <p>They scheduled his surgery for early AM - we woke him up early to give him apple juice two hours before, per their instructions. Then he was fine - playing with toys in the waiting room and distracted. I insisted on carrying him into the OR and staying while they put him under, which I deeply regret. It’s a very hard thing to watch and 6 months is before the crazy separation anxiety kicks in - I should have just let the nurse take him back. </p> <p>Waking up was hard. Babies often wake up very disoriented. He screamed and was inconsolable for 10 minutes or so. But then we gave him a bottle, he calmed down and we rocked him for a bit. </p> <p>The rest of the day was fairly rough. He slept a lot but only in our arms. It was a rough night of sleep, too. But the next day, he was back to normal. I mean, his genitals looked like a horror movie but he was smiling and laughing and playing like no biggie. Then it was all fine until day 5 when we had to soak the gauze off. I got a little impatient and tried to like, help it along but it was more like ripping off a bandaid that was scabbed on to the skin. Not good, but he was fine. </p> <p>Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837548 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:42:17 +0000 MaryM 2837548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: That's great advice! And also makes me kind of happy we got the run around doctor-wise. </p> <p>The first specialist we met with saw us...even though he knew he was retiring and wouldn't be able to do the surgery. So I'm not sure why we were ever scheduled to see him in the first place? He barely touched or talked to DS. Mostly us. </p> <p>The guy we followed up with played with DS and made him smile before getting down to business. I didn't realize how much I disliked the first doctor until I met the second one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837542 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:34:36 +0000 Silva 2837542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: oh- one thing I thought of that is tangentially related to sleep. Apparently there is some research that suggests that if a kid is calm when they go under anesthesia they are less likely to have sleep disturbance in the form of nightmares afterward. Anecdotally, this was totally true for us- the first time my son was more scared and kind of fought the mask, and ended up having nightmares for about a week. The second time the doctor went much slower and really allowed him to dictate the pace, and my son was totally chill and happy to put the mask on. He didn't have nightmares at all after that surgery.<br /> Some of that just depends on the anesthesiologist you get but as much as you can advocate to go slowly, I would. They are all experienced with kids in a children's hospital so they will probably do this anyway, but just thought I'd mention it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837540 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:24:50 +0000 Katc 2837540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarMaple , love hearing your age 4 update :) Made me tear up.</p> <p>@MaryM: TOO funny, my mom is ALSO a nurse (labor and delivery) so she knows what's up. It was a hard pill for me to swallow because our son was STTN before surgery, but we had to accept the fact that this would probably throw him off and we'd have to slowly but surely get back on track. I, too, am extremely anxious about getting everything "right" in sleep, routines, etc. But if you can, take a deep breath and tell yourself ok sleep may go awry, but let's get him through this pain/recovery and take it one day at a time. As I mentioned, it took us 10 days to get sleep back to where it was. Night 2 my mom literally slept sitting up with him in her arms in a rocking chair the entire night. But we made it back.</p> <p>RE caretakers, I would say at the end of the day it is still a single baby. My mom was with me day 2-5, and while it was amazing (I also feel safer/more secure when she is here, with her medical knowledge no less), a lot of it was her and I playing with the baby together and chatting. So being that you are strapped for PTO, I would spread out care (assuming DH and gma are comfortable being solo with baby) so he is home from school as long as possible. </p> <p>One of the surgeons we consulted with said after-care is critical to successful outcome, so we wanted only our hands on our angel for as long as we could swing it. (That is just 1 docs opinion so take w grain of salt of course.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837535 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:20:58 +0000 Silva 2837535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: If it makes you feel better to have mom there, then go for it- I just was thinking if the amount of time she can stay for is limited, I'd want to stretch it out and have her there when I had to work. That way if recovery is slow for whatever reason, and he's still waking up a lot on night 3 or 4 you can sleep (since you have to work) and grandma and dad can take turns holding. I doubt he will still be that out of sorts by that point, but again- his age and surgery are different than my experience (and its hard to predict)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837533 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:17:50 +0000 MaryM 2837533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: I think I'm the same in planning for the worst. I think that's why I thought about having my mom come right away. That way if he needed to be held all night, at least with three people we could do four hour shifts and all still get some sleep. </p> <p>But then again, when I was on leave and DH and I did shifts a few times when DS was sick, I always took the longer shift. So I don't know why I feel like everything has to be "even" now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837531 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:13:50 +0000 Silva 2837531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: I totally get it. Sleep is so hard and feel like something we should be able to "do something about" and control in some way. I think for the surgery, at least, I'd prepare for the worst- assume that no matter what you do it will be a disaster for a week. But reassure yourself that it will be temporary. And when its over and he's feeling better, he's old enough for some sleep training or whatever you need to do to get back to a good pattern. You could still be pleasantly surprised- mine really had no impact on his sleep! But I like to be ready for the worst scenario. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837525 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 09:48:17 +0000 MaryM 2837525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: @Silva: I think I'm mostly concerned about sleep because we're also in the midst of "will we or won't we break the swaddle"? </p> <p>He's not swaddled for naps at school and that was fine for a while, but suddenly isn't. It seems like he's only sleeping when he's swaddled at home. So we feel like we should quit the swaddle to get him sleeping ALL the time. Plus he's SO CLOSE to rolling over back to front. </p> <p>...but then once he finally gets used to not being swaddled..I worry that throwing a surgery at him might undo any progress we make sleep wise. </p> <p>I probably worry WAY too much about sleep! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837520 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 09:37:14 +0000 Silva 2837520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: Its really hard to predict how he will be, but I think you guys would be fine the first 2 days, and then have grandma come after in case he's not bouncing back quickly and its still tough. If it goes anything like my son's recovery (which again, different ballgame I know- but just for reference) he was kind of easier....in the way that a sick baby, can be. Just happy to be held. He was pretty sleep for the first 24 hours. We kept him on regular ibuprofen and Tylenol for the first 36 hours or so, and then decreased our use of it after that. He really just wanted to be held. I used the front pack and the ring sling- he was old enough that the weight was back on his bum- our only restriction was about ride-on toys. We did a stroller walk with the seat reclined. He was older so I put on some cartoons and held him. He slept fine for us (we did wake him up to keep up with the pain med dosing but he'd go right back down). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837515 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 09:31:50 +0000 MaryM 2837515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I have pretty bad anxiety when it comes to DS's sleep...so I think I always jump to wanting my mom to be around (she calms my anxiety just by being there). It totally makes sense to wait for her to come until I really need her though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837514 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 09:26:22 +0000 Sams Mom 2837514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would save grandma for when you're maybe not able to be off or are working from home. The plus being that you don't have to worry about not being able to get work done or DH being over whelmed. The fact that grandma is also a nurse makes it all the better, and sure would take some stress off of me if I were in your shoes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837513 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 09:22:30 +0000 MaryM 2837513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Katc: @SugarMaple: @yellowbeach: @Silva: </p> <p>Follow up question. Because my work doesn't have paid maternity leave, I had to use up my sick and vacation time after DS was born. My husband has taken the whole week off, but I'll need to be more judicial in my time off requests (I'm looking into taking vacation time I haven't earned yet. Plus I'm probably getting a promotion and new VP right before this surgery...ugh). </p> <p>I'm definitely taking off the day of surgery, and hopefully the next day. I'm hoping to maybe work out working from home the rest of the week...although I know it's close to impossible to do when DS is home too (though maybe easier with DH around?)</p> <p>My mom has offered to come help. She usually will stay for about 3-4 days. </p> <p>If you were in my shoes, would you have your mom come help (she's not only a great granny, but also a nurse) right after the surgery? Or do you think you could handle things ok in shifts with your DH for the first day or two, and have her come to help DH when I have to go back to work (or at least work from home)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837506 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 08:23:08 +0000 SugarMaple 2837506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our experience was similar to katc. His was the first surgery of the day, in our area they typically schedule infants/toddlers first to make the fasting easier. It was a non-issue for us that day since it was so early. Day of recovery was tough, like katc we called the ER a couple times but they reassured us the pain level was typical. We were not really sure the level of hypospadias (if at all), and it turned out to be minor. We circumsized during that time as well. </p> <p>They next day he acted almost back to normal. He's 4 now, zero issues. Everything looks great :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837308 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 11:14:28 +0000 MaryM 2837308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all! This has been really helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837301 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 09:56:30 +0000 looch 2837301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son had surgery about a year and a half ago for something different, and what you've been told so far seems consistent with our experience. The biggest concerns I had were concerning the anesthesia and which parents could be there while it was administered. I had several conversations with the staff that eased my concerns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837174 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 15:37:52 +0000 Katc 2837174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837154 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 14:18:48 +0000 MaryM 2837154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbeach: We're keeping him out a week...also to save money since we'll have to spend it on surgery. But by that point IF he has a catheter, it'll be taken out. </p> <p>And yeah. The nurse I talked to today told me to warn my husband (especially) that it will look like "a dog attacked it" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837149 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 13:47:28 +0000 yellowbeach 2837149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: DD underwent placement of a VP shunt in her brain at 4 months. I was scared to death, but now a year out looking back, I think it was much harder for me than it was for her. </p> <p>As some posters above said, they do try and take the little ones earliest given the NPO status - trying to minimize that time without intake. We gave her a bottle at the last minute we could - which I think was an hour earlier than she usually would have taken it - but she woofed it down no problem and wasn't too too fussy right before surgery. </p> <p>When they come out of surgery, they are pretty chill and a little groggy. I was happy that while she seemed a little quiet and sleepy, I knew for sure there were zero signs she was suffering. I think that was my big big worry. She drank a bottle right after surgery and had a pretty uneventful night. We just made sure to preemptively give Tylenol, even if she seemed fine. </p> <p>As a physician having seen many kiddos post-op from circs and hypospadias repairs, as others have said, it looks TERRIBLE (swollen, red) but isn't actually as bad as it looks. As far as daycare, I'd assess their comfort level with something that looks bad but actually isn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837139 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 13:18:20 +0000 MaryM 2837139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: Thankfully I read about the liquids when we had our consult months ago and I saved some breastmilk in the freezer. It will have been a couple months since he'll have had any (we weaned when he went to daycare), so I hope he still likes it! </p> <p>@Silva: Yeah, I think the anxiety of wondering how it will go is probably worse than what it will actually be. I'm so surprised they set up a surgery like two-three months in advance...and then you're supposed to wait until the week before to ask any follow up questions of the doctor or nurses? That seems crazy! I need someone to walk me through it NOW so I don't worry over nothing! </p> <p>At least the nurse I reached when I called to ask what to expect was pretty nice and helpful...even if she didn't know the specifics of what we should expect. I at least needed to know if we should do a reservation week for daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837125 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 12:26:44 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2837125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not the same surgery or age, but we just had our pre-op for tubes and adenoids this morning for DS. According to our hospital/anesthesiologist, Young babies can have breast milk up to 4 hrs before surgery time, formula or milk 6 hours before and no solids after midnight. They try to get the littlest ones in first thing in the morning and usually they are cranky and off for the day the younger they are. I consistently read that coming out of the anesthesia is the worst part of these routine surgeries.</p> <p>Hopefully someone else can chime in with specifics to your sons age and surgery! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837120 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 12:15:37 +0000 Silva 2837120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh- and yes. It will look bad, I'm sure. My son's scrotum was completely black and swollen for a bit over a week. He was slow to bend down and pick things up, but he slept fine and really didn't seem that bothered- just a little slower and more tired in the afternoons (after running around all morning). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837119 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 12:13:47 +0000 Silva 2837119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son had his first surgery for an undescended testicle at 14 months. I know that is a wildly different age than 6 months. This may be totally unhelpful, but I"m writing just in case it helps. I wanted all the information I could get about people's experiences.</p> <p>But for what its worth, the pre-op stuff wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I suspect with a baby that young you should get a very early morning time. We woke our son up right before his fasting time started and gave him a bottle to really tank him up. Once we got to the hospital there was enough going on that he was pretty distracted.<br /> I had a bit of a breakdown while we were waiting for him- the second time (it was a two part procedure for us) I did a much better job of keeping myself distracted. We got up and walked around every twenty minutes or so, and I didn't drink tons of hospital coffee like I did the first time- so I wasn't as big of a mess.<br /> I sent my husband back when it was time for him to go under, because I knew I wouldn't be able to hold it together and that would frighten him. We were both able to be there when he woke up. I brought pouches (even though my son was eating table foods) in case he had a sore throat. He nursed for awhile when he was waking up (as soon as he stirred they let me hold him and nurse him immediately- so he didn't have trouble coming out of the anesthesia). Once he was alert he was starving and sucked down a bunch of the pouches. He was very sleepy and out of it for about 24 hours after waking up. I think he was also slightly nauseated the first time. His appetite was decreased for 4-5 days after the second surgery.</p> <p>I can't speak to what recovery will be like for you. our son's first surgery was laparoscopic and recovery was very easy- he was honestly back to normal in 24 hours. The second one involved a couple small incisions, he was under longer, and it was a little more of a difficult surgery. He was also older (20 months). His recovery for that one took a little longer. After maybe 48 hours he was acting like himself in the morning but by the afternoon he was obviously sore and worn out. If I gave him ibuprofen he'd play too hard, so we kind of had to find a balance there. Again- this won't be an issue with an immobile baby!</p> <p>I was so relieved when it was all over, and while I was waiting for it I just kept focusing on that- it will all be over soon. I'm in awe of parents with children who have chronic medical conditions- those two relatively simple surgeries felt like they took a decade off my life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hypospadia-revision-or-other-infant-surgeries#post-2837115 Tue, 31 Jul 2018 11:59:34 +0000 MaryM 2837115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>(Please note, this is not a call for advice - should I or shouldn't I - but a call for people's experiences.)</p> <p>DS has a slight hypospadia that was discovered mid-circumcision (and the doctor stopped what he was doing to save the skin in case it was needed for revision)</p> <p>He's scheduled to have the revision/circumcision completion in September. </p> <p>I'm wondering if anyone else has had a son who had a surgery like this around 6-7 months, or if they had other surgery, what recovery was like. </p> <p>We're pulling him out of daycare for the week and have been told things will look much worse than they actually feel. If your child had surgery...were they super cranky or more sleepy than usual after anesthesia? That's the sort of thing I'm wondering... (of course the doctor doesn't touch base with what to expect until the week of)</p> <p>How awful was it to keep them from eating for several hours before surgery? (we also won't know what time the surgery is until the week before...I'm really praying it's early in the day when he's not usually very hungry!) </p>