"Tongue-Tied"...Not Just a Saying!

When our sweet little William was six months old, our metabolic specialist informed us that he was "tongue-tied."  Larry and I were both surprised that being "tongue-tied" was not just the suggestion that a person cannot get words out but an actual medical condition.  The frenulum (muscle under the tongue) on Will was attached at the very end of his tongue.  He could not stick his tongue out or lick anything.  We had never noticed.  Dr. Warnock suggested we see an ENT to have the frenulum clipped.  The ENT, Dr. Charles Katz, was opposed to performing the surgery on such a young child, so we had to wait.  We waited a year (having seen the ENT several times during that time) and Dr. Katz gave us the thumbs up for the surgery if we felt strongly about doing it.  We scheduled the surgery for a time that Larry would be home with Will for an extended period.  Today was the day!

Larry, Will and I had to be at Alta View Hospital at 6:30 a.m.  Will would be Dr. Katz' first surgery.  We had no problem getting out the door this morning since Will had been awake since 4:30.  The nurses fell in love with Will and his happy disposition.  He kept smiling and waving to everyone.  Little did he know what was about to happen!  We dressed him in his cute little hospital gown, took his vitals, and prepared for surgery.  Will loved all of the toys in the room, and he cuddled the green tiger (Timmy) that his nurse gave to him.  He was given some medicine to make him groggy (and loopy) a few minutes before surgery.  He was so cute!  William never slows down, so it was fun to see him react to the medicine. Eventually, the operating room nurses came to get him, and I (of course) was all emotional.  Seeing my little one whisked off to surgery was hard!  I remember when Ethan was taken into surgery for his tonsils nine years ago.  

Cute little hospital gown shot!

Loopy Will!

Post-surgery... wanting only Mommy!

Sleeping off the anesthesia.

Chillin' with Dad at home post-surgery!

The surgery went very well, and Dr. Katz explained how the procedure had gone.  He told us that he thought it was good that we had made the decision to have the surgery.  Will's tongue was very tight and had some thickening on it which would have made it very difficult for him to talk when he was older.  He would have talked very "mush-mouth."  The clipping will give Will an additional 1-2 inches of extension with his tongue.  I am so grateful for the spirit that influenced Larry's and my decision to have the surgery done.  Sometimes, as parents, we wonder if what we are doing is the very best for our children.  This was the best thing for Will.

Will doesn't quite know what to think of the whole thing!  He is home recuperating now, and he is loving his popsicles and frozen slushy that Daddy bought him for lunch!  He is very tired, but he is moving around with a little bit of energy now.  His tongue is still numb, but we have Tylenol with Codeine for when it's not (if he needs it).  I am excited to see what the future brings for little Will!  For now, we will cuddle our little ornery boy and remember that this recovery will pass.  He will be back to his "normal" in no time!