my baby has blocked tear ducts. should we do the surgery thing or will it go away?

[cheapie]

his eyes are always very icky in the morning and when he cries it gets messy. we have tried massaging his tears ducts for months. now we have to decide whether or not to get the thing done where they stick a piece of wire or whatever down the tear duct to clean them out. anyone have experience with this?

[caribiner23]

What does your pediatrician suggest? How old is your son?

[cheapie]

he's 4 months old. we have his 4 month checkup in a week or so. the last one was 2 months ago and he didn't think we needed it yet. we'll see what he suggests. he's not real proactive on this kind of stuff.

[caribiner23]

Hmmm. I would defer to what the doctor says, but this statement
he's not real proactive on this kind of stuff kinda bugs me. If I felt that way, I'd get a new pediatrician, or at least a second opinion-- you don't want your son to be miserable unnecessarily.

[hoey222]

WAIT -
dont do anything rash.

our baby had blocked tear ducts. our dr recommended waiting until she was a year old and if it was still a problem to get the surgery.

by 6months sure enuff the duct had cleared itself - no problems.

you just have to keep masssaging it gently and it will work itself out.

i wouldn't get too concerned over it - it isn't causing the baby and discomfort and it's not adversly affecting the baby's vision.

hope this helps

[molecularfire]

:stupid: Actually, I don't have a baby... but blocked tear ducts usually clear themselves out. Unless the baby looks really miserable, I would suggest waiting. If the pediatrician thinks that it's a good idea though... then I would go with it. Now, how is your relationship with the pediatrician? That seems to me at this stage to be the bigger issue. Is he one of those guys who just likes to manage things conservatively, or is he just lazy? Do you like him, and do you trust him?

[cheapie]

Originally posted by molecularfire
:stupid: Actually, I don't have a baby... but blocked tear ducts usually clear themselves out. Unless the baby looks really miserable, I would suggest waiting. If the pediatrician thinks that it's a good idea though... then I would go with it. Now, how is your relationship with the pediatrician? That seems to me at this stage to be the bigger issue. Is he one of those guys who just likes to manage things conservatively, or is he just lazy? Do you like him, and do you trust him?


he's awesome. we really like him. he seems genuinely concerned and is gentle with the kids. i think he nicked austin's, um, peepee when he circumsized him tho'.

[Jenny]

Originally posted by cheapie



he's awesome. we really like him. he seems genuinely concerned and is gentle with the kids. i think he nicked austin's, um, peepee when he circumsized him tho'.


:eek: :bawl: Ow

[caribiner23]

He's "awesome" and yet you said "he's not real proactive on this kind of stuff?"

If you trust him and you truly believe he's "awesome," then I would defer to whatever he says.

Besides, we G|A'ers aren't doctors, we're just a bunch of knuckleheads. :wavey:

[Kim]

Ashley had blocked ducts when she was a baby, and it went away without a problem. I'd hold off on the procedure.

[Nija]

Surgery is always the last option, IMHO

[oblongmelon]

Originally posted by cheapie



he's awesome. we really like him. he seems genuinely concerned and is gentle with the kids. i think he nicked austin's, um, peepee when he circumsized him tho'.

I used to assist the MD'S when they did the circs..it's not pleasant to watch -and you'd definately know it if there were any nicks..chances are there arent though because the circs are done 99% of the time with Bell clamps - the foreskin is pulled up over the edges of the bell and then another part brought down ontop of the skin and tightened to crush all the nerve endings in the foreskin-then a scalpel is used to remove the excess skin-from the top of the clamped area..if he did nick your son -there WOULD be profuse bleeding (more so than the amount during and after a usual circ.) You'd know it if he had-as it would Have to be disclosed to you following the procedure IT'S THE LAW-AND THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT..if you have any question-see a second physician for a follow up.

and for Lord's sake. Let those tear ducts open up naturally..unless your son is getting continuous conjuctivitis-stop worrying..just keep a nice damp washclothe with you for his eyes!

[oblongmelon]

Originally posted by caribiner23

Besides, we G|A'ers aren't doctors, we're just a bunch of knuckleheads. :wavey:

That is such a totally ignorant statement.
and FYI there are many on here whom might just possibly have doctorate degrees or are heading for doctorates. Please keep your ridiculous comments to yourself.

[Memo]

Originally posted by oblongmelon


That is such a totally ignorant statement.
and FYI there are many on here whom might just possibly have doctorate degrees or are heading for doctorates. Please keep your ridiculous comments to yourself.

I think he was just kidding melon :D Plus, he does'nt know any better, he doesn't have a doctorate :P

[sbp]

Originally posted by oblongmelon
I used to assist the MD'S when they did the circs..it's not pleasant to watch -and you'd definately know it if there were any nicks..chances are there arent though because the circs are done 99% of the time with Bell clamps - the foreskin is pulled up over the edges of the bell and then another part brought down ontop of the skin and tightened to crush all the nerve endings in the foreskin-then a scalpel is used to remove the excess skin-from the top of the clamped area..if he did nick your son -there WOULD be profuse bleeding (more so than the amount during and after a usual circ.) You'd know it if he had-as it would Have to be disclosed to you following the procedure IT'S THE LAW-AND THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT..if you have any question-see a second physician for a follow up.In your expert opinion oblongmelon what do you think of circs? From what I can see all this operation is money in the pocket for docs and is unnecessary.

[InfiniteNothing]

Originally posted by oblongmelon


I used to assist the MD'S when they did the circs..it's not pleasant to watch -and you'd definately know it if there were any nicks..chances are there arent though because the circs are done 99% of the time with Bell clamps - the foreskin is pulled up over the edges of the bell and then another part brought down ontop of the skin and tightened to crush all the nerve endings in the foreskin-then a scalpel is used to remove the excess skin-from the top of the clamped area..if he did nick your son -there WOULD be profuse bleeding (more so than the amount during and after a usual circ.) You'd know it if he had-as it would Have to be disclosed to you following the procedure IT'S THE LAW-AND THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT..if you have any question-see a second physician for a follow up.

and for Lord's sake. Let those tear ducts open up naturally..unless your son is getting continuous conjuctivitis-stop worrying..just keep a nice damp washclothe with you for his eyes!

Ouch. Geez. People are still doing that barbaric surgery? seems like there should be laws to protect these poor kids from their parents unless they need it for medical reasons.

[oblongmelon]

Originally posted by sbp
In your expert opinion oblongmelon what do you think of circs? From what I can see all this operation is money in the pocket for docs and is unnecessary.

I am not in favor of circumscision. As the mother of two sons who also had vast experience with assisting and viewing first hand -the cruel and traumatizing effects of circumscision on infants. We opted to leave our boys alone. With the exception of those religions that include circs as a ritual occurance-the majority of the world is left intact..and have been for centuries. I believe that proper hygiene is the number one factor in keeping uncircumscised males healthy...and while there are still complications at times from NO circs...the ratio of complications to that of males with the procedure being done is much higher...many circs have to be redone a few months to a year or so after birth due to "complications"..scar tissue, strictures,meatal closings etc..doing this to an infant is cruel enough-but do it to a one year old and its even worse. I've seen babies bleed -no-hemmorage for hours from fresh circs..which is only stopped by surgery, or silver nitrate which causes healthy flesh to be cauterized-this is customary in hospitals across the US. Babies are strapped to a cold plastic board, unable to move, screaming till they vomit and are physically exhausted to no longer cry, and THEN the doctor starts the circ. No doctor would ever attempt to do a procedure on a screaming baby. the infant is covered to their heads with a blue paper drape while the doctor may or may not use lidocaine cream on the penis to "numb" the baby up (lidocaine cream does not have the effects that a small injection and does not actually NUMB the area to be cut, but is done for asthetic purposes)..then the bell clamp is placed over the head of the penis while the foreskin -as i said before is then pulled up (stretched at times) around the top of the bell..a clamp is then twisted tightly around the foreskin to crush the nerves (you can hear the crunch)after which the doctor then removes the foreskin with a scalpel. The baby is by this time-screaming again..the clamp is removed, more lidocaine cream is placed around the area that has been cut, gauze is then placed over the cream (and if there is NOT ENOUGH CREAM put on the gauze will stick to the bloody area only to be ripped off with the next diaper change causing the sight to start bleeding again)..yes-it IS BARBARIC. and if parents ever saw what was happening to their child they would boycot circumscision. PS..a doctor that I know who came from South Africa once told me that removing the foreskin leads to a less sensitive penis as an adult and that males achieve stronger orgasms if not circ'd. His explanation...expose the "raw" gland (no foreskin) to such things like constant friction (wearing clothes) and the area will become less sensitive..just like you become accustomed to walking comfortably without shoes in the summer, in the spring when first taking them off after so many months of being in shoes, you're feet will be sensitive as hell. Keep this in mind when you all have sons...

[cheapie]

yeah. i wish i hadn't had austin cut. i thought about it with carter but since austin was circ'ed, i thought i might as well w/carter. dunno what i'll do if we have another boy.

[Kevster]

Originally posted by Cheapie
yeah. i wish i hadn't had austin cut. i thought about it with carter but since austin was circ'ed, i thought i might as well w/carter. dunno what i'll do if we have another boy.

This topic came up when some cousins of mine from Switzerland were over here for a couple of years (on a work assignment) and their son was born. It was strange how the doctor was almost adamant that their son get circumcised. They were steadfastly against it because it is rarely done in Europe (unless you're Jewish). If Mrs. Kevster and I have any sons, we already decided they won't be circumcised.

[avlena]

:eek2: after reading obby's description of what happens... no way could I ever do that to my son. besides, my guy is steadfast against it, esp. since he's heard that it reduces your sensitivity during sex.

[cheapie]

Originally posted by DarkFury

Sometimes, that's not a bad thing... <squirt> Ooops... sorry bout that. :hihi:



ahahaha....that's exactly what i was thinking.

[caribiner23]

Originally posted by oblongmelon


That is such a totally ignorant statement.
and FYI there are many on here whom might just possibly have doctorate degrees or are heading for doctorates. Please keep your ridiculous comments to yourself.


Geez, I was making a joke.

I realize that there are professionals here-- I was merely trying to suggest that he consult the professional with whom he's trusted his son's medical care. I assume this physician has known the child since he was born and understands his complete medical history.

The people in these forums, I assume, are not intimate with these aspects of the child's medical history. I may be wrong about this.

From now on, it's all kept to myself. See ya.

[cheapie]

Originally posted by caribiner23



Geez, I was making a joke.

I realize that there are professionals here-- I was merely trying to suggest that he consult the professional with whom he's trusted his son's medical care.

I'll keep it all to myself from now on. See ya.



that's what i gathered. the message i got was that you apexers might be able to give me suggestions, but you're not docs and i should take the advice as such.

[Kevster]

Originally posted by cheapie




that's what i gathered. the message i got was that you apexers might be able to give me suggestions, but you're not docs and i should take the advice as such.

:stupid:

That was my take on it too. Thanks to a large extended family with several family members in medical professions and a myriad of health problems (including my own) I have learned quite a bit. I will be the first to tell you that you should always get at least 2 opinions and take any advice I might offer with a grain of salt.

[brainsmile]

dude... wait... why rush... My little one had that. He's fine now