Jump to content

Menu

s/o plastic surgery - pediatric or regular?


Recommended Posts

Re: dd3 forehead stitches, do I need to call the plastics dept at Children's Hospital, which seems to be the only ped plastics program, or will a regular plastic surgeon do? All the regular ones have websites detailing the usual grown-up plastic surgery options (though scar revision is almost always among them). I have my doubts about whether such offices are prepared for a 3 y.o.

 

I'm sorry to sound so dumb... I'm planning to call my own ped first thing in the morning to see who they recommend, but as she won't be there, the office staff may or may not have a list for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think a ped one could be particularly helpful with a little one as young as 3, but I admit I have a preference for pediatric specialists. They would be the ones who would best judge if a younger child would need sedation for a procedure, for example, as well as other issues to be aware of that might be kid specific.

 

In any case, you may want to try to see where you can get in most quickly and go there. If you have to see an adult specialist first, and they decide you need a pediatric specialist, they may be able to help you get in right away.

 

I hope everything turns out okay. Please keep us updated. :grouphug:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You will find more "regular" plastic surgeons than pediatric. Find a couple and call and ask how they deal with children. I wouldn't rule them out because they aren't pediatric.

 

:iagree: We used a 'regular' one for our 5 yo. He was great. He didn't walk in and say 'hello'. He walked in and 'high-fived' our son. He was a winner!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If a pediatric one is available, I would go that route. I would assume they would be better able to judge how the skin will continue to grow with the child and how the scar will be affected.

 

I also think they may be more realistic about how subdued you can keep a child after the procedure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd likely go pediatric, but if it is a far drive I might check out some local regular ones first.

 

That being said I adore our pediatric plastic surgeon so I maybe slightly biased. He does work at the large hospital nearby (not the one 5 minutes from the house, the one 30 minutes from the house).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone - we are seeing the PA in plastics at Children's Hospital this afternoon. I spoke at length with their staff and the staff at a regular plastic surgeon and this seems like the right path, as it is unlikely anyone would decide to pull the current stitches out and re-do unless it is horrible (which I don't think is likely to be the case).

 

I'm concerned about when the stitches should come out and other wound care issues. The plastics people at children's apparently can follow the scar and advise about silicone patches, etc.

 

DH is telling me to calm down. I can't :tongue_smilie:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When our dd was 3 she needed to have a cyst removed from her face-- the surgery required stitches.

 

I looked for the BEST plastic surgeon in our area (that took our insurance!). The one who took our case WELCOMED the chance to perform a 'meaningful' surgery-- not saying that a face lift or book-job is not meaningful to the patient...

 

DD needed 6 stitches-- absolutely NO scar... it was on a visible part of her cheek.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...