First Surgery 03/05/2025

As I mentioned in a past entry, Peanut will have at least three surgeries. The first one happens at just four months old, and we’re now in the final weeks leading up to it. I’m so excited for him to get the help he needs and to grow into his new smile.  

What I wasn’t prepared for is the mourning of his “old” smile. His first smile—the one I’ve memorized and cherished—will forever be changed. With reconstructive surgery, his lip shape, his nose shape, and everything about his smile will be different. I know this is what’s best for him, but I can’t help feeling sad to lose that first little smile. I just keep reminding myself how lucky we are—we get to fall in love with two different smiles when most families only get one.  

This surgery will take about four hours. He’ll be under general anesthesia, and he’ll also get tubes placed in his ears to help drain fluid and hopefully improve his hearing. The surgeons will bring his lip muscle and tissue together, shaping and aligning his nostrils to be more symmetrical. A prosthetic will also be placed as a temporary roof of his mouth until his hard palate surgery in 2-3 years.  

The shortest hospital stay possible is just one day, but some families have stayed up to five. It’s crazy to me that they basically make sure baby is eating, pain is managed, and then just send you on your way. He will also have to wear "no-nos," which are arm braces that keep his arms straight so he can’t pick at his stitches or glue post-op. Recovery will be an adjustment—feeding will look different, and we’ll have to manage his discomfort while helping him heal as smoothly as possible.  

It’s overwhelming, but we’re so grateful to have such an amazing support system. The encouragement, prayers, and kind words mean the world to us as we get ready for this big step in his journey.  

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