Day 1 Post Op

Nasal Trumpet

Expect bleeding and swelling during the first night and day after surgery. 


During the first night after surgery, they give Tylenol with codeine orally by feeding tube every four hours and morphine by IV only as needed if the baby seems to be in a lot of pain. 


Alex has opened his eyes several times and it's hard to tell if he is in pain or if he is just upset because he has tubes strapped to his face and restraints on his arms and legs.

Nasal Trumpet with Oxygen

Alex had a few episodes this morning where he stopped breathing for a few moments, turning blue. The nurses and respiratory staff were able to get secretions out of his nose and throat, and the first episode he had was likely due to the central apnea identified during his sleep study. 


Alex had a nasal trumpet inserted in recovery. This is a tube that goes up the nose and down into the throat and helps keep the swollen tongue from blocking the airway. Originally, they were going to take this out during the night, but because it makes it easier to suction him, they left it in today.

The tongue will be pointy after surgery. Dr. Marsh makes the tongue pointy on purpose because as the tongue heals it rounds out. He used to make "normal" rounded tongues during surgery and found that once the tongue healed it just didn't look right. I'll post a picture of the drawing Dr. Marsh did for us when I have a chance to scan it. 





Later in the afternoon, around 3:00, they started giving him formula by feeding tube (the yellow tube in his nose). Alex was awake and calm. He flirted a little with the nurse and sat up in bed wanting to play. This lasted about 10 minutes before he wore himself out and went back to sleep!