My son's first surgery in 2 weeks!! :/

Katie - posted on 11/09/2010

The doctor told us it was better to do it early, so it doesn't cause infertility and other things.
His missing testicle is high up because they can't feel it and so an ultrasound wouldn't work.
If he has another one (and is normal, good size) they will make 2 incision in the side of his abdomen to bring it down. And possibly make an incision in his scrotum and stitch them into place.
If he has one but is really small or deformed they will remove it and then make an incision in his scrotum and stitch the one in place so it doesn't "disappear" later in life. (they remove it if it's small and deformed so it doesn't cause cancer down the road)
If he doesn't have one they will stitch the one in place.
To find all this out they make an incision in his belly button and put a tiny camera in to look around.
They said the surgery is usually 2.5 hours but can be longer or shorter depending on what happens during surgery and what's going on with my little man.
I am just so thankful my husband was able to get off work to be there with me.
I think the hardest thing will be not letting him eat anything for hours before the surgery. His surgery is scheduled at 7:30am and the night before he can't have any milk or solid foods past 12:30am and no juice or water after 4:30am.
We plan on waking him up at 12 to stuff him full of food lol
Jasmine I will definitely let you know how it goes!! Your son will be in our prayers : )

Vicki - posted on 11/09/2010

Also it's common for the testicle to come down on its own, which is why they wait until 12 months here. Something worth checking out with your doctor.

I don't think my boy's little testicle would have appeared on its own though, it had gone on quite a journey and was right over in the side of his groin!

Vicki - posted on 11/09/2010

My son had this done at 13 months. It's normally done around 1 year here in australia.

As your friends said, it was fine. I was terrified. Are you breastfeeding? Breastmilk is counted as a clear fluid for the before surgery fasting, helpful as he doesn't need to fast for too long! My boy was still grumpy as anything by the time they put him under as he's not used to me refusing him boob! The hospital was really organised, kind of like a production line. I almost cried when try put him under even though I knew what to expect. They had a great waiting room with lovely volunteers to help you feel better. I was called to recovery before he woke up so I could be with him straight away. He then stayed on the boob for ages but wasn't upset. We stayed in a ward for an hour or so then went home. The rest of the day he was very quiet, just sat on the sofa with me while we watched movies. He had only just learned to walk and it was unusual for him to sit still for so long! The next day it was as if nothing had happened. His first poo the next day was huge and got under the dressing. I took the dressing off, washed the scar and it was fine. There was no problems healing and I gave him paracetemol for a few days.

Not sure how to make it easier for you... I read lots of "it'll be fine' accounts but I was still nervous as hell. Take something to do while you're waiting. He will be fine, it's such a common procedure, but it's natural to be anxious!

Jasmine - posted on 11/08/2010

Iam sorry that i was not that much help to you i was just really excited to find someone on here who has a son whos going through the same thing my son is going through

Jasmine - posted on 11/08/2010

Well my son is 4 and a half months old and has the same problem and iam just as scared as ytou cause his peditrician is telling my that hes gonna need surgery. I wish you the best of luck and can you please let me know how your son does cause when i go through this with my son in a couple months i would love to have you around for reasurrance.
Iam so glad that i found someone on here who is going through the same thing.