Cleft Lip/Palate

Bogey was also born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate. 
 He is our second son (out of 3) that was born with the cleft lip.

Because of his deformities, he had a difficult time eating, even with the specialized bottles.  His heart had to work so hard during feedings, and because Bogey needed more than anything to gain weight, we had a G-tube surgically placed.  

At that time, we were advised to have him undergo a Nissen Fundoplication .  If we knew then, what we know now, we would have REFUSED this procedure.  However, we didn't know there were other options to treat his reflux.  

After his heart surgery, we returned to the same hospital (Lucile Packard Children's Hospital) to have his clefts repaired.  Dr. Lorenz did a wonderful job.  He repaired the lip first (Bogey was 6 months old), and then the palate repair (Bogey was 11 months).  Again, we were ultra impressed with all of the doctors and nurses that cared for Bogey while he was there.

7 days post lip repair

10 days post  lip repair

4 months post cleft repair, 10 months post lip repair.

We continue to travel to CA for check-ups and visits with the Cleft Team (dentist, surgeon, orthodontist  ENT, audiologist, speech therapist, etc.) at Packard.  We know we are in the best hands, when we are there.  

Most likely, Bogey will have one more surgery to repair his gum line, (around age 7 or 8) and then a touch up surgery on his lip and nose, and then he will be done.