What to expect
We know that a “frenectomy” sounds scary, but hopefully after reading Dr. Bethany’s guide you’ll feel prepared, educated and calm before your child’s procedure.
Your Appointment
Before your appointment, we'll ask you to fill out a thorough questionnaire.
This will give you the chance to share what brought you in, how feedings are going, your baby’s medical history, and any symptoms you've noticed. Dr. Bethany will also communicate with your other providers so they can share their evaluations.
Your consultation with Dr. Bethany will last about an hour.
We suggest feeding your baby 30-45 minutes before the appointment to ensure their comfort during the consultation.
Should Dr. Bethany recommend performing the tongue-tie procedure on the same day, your baby will find it soothing to feed right after.
We provide breastfeeding pillows (the Boppy and My Brest Friend), regular pillows if you need one for your back, a breastfeeding stool to rest your feet on, and if needed, a bottle warmer.
The day of your baby’s tongue tie procedure
Arrival
When you arrive, please text our office at (626)797-7551 and a teammember will let you in.
The Tongue-Tie Procedure
A member of the Tongue Ties with Love team will bring you to one of the consultation rooms. You’ll meet with Dr. Bethany and go over everything together.
When you’re ready to begin, Dr. Bethany will gently swaddle your baby and apply a safe numbing gel on the floor of your baby’s mouth. The numbing gel used is fast acting and short lived as we encourage baby to feed right after the procedure. She’ll then apply the safety goggle to your baby’s eyes.
Due to laser safety, parents will wait in the consultation room while Dr. Bethany performs the lip and/or tongue tie release with her CO2 laser. The procedure itself lasts for only a few seconds. Your baby will be with Dr. Bethany for a couple of minutes as she does her laser safety check, performs the release, and photographs the wound post-release.
After the frenectomy is complete your little one is brought right to you
You’ll feed your baby and sit down with Dr. Bethany to go over next steps. She’ll answer your questions and walk you through managing your baby's wound for the first two weeks. Dr. Bethany will give you a text a couple of hours after the procedure so you will have her direct number for support and questions during the wound healing process.
Communication with your collaborative care team
Dr. Bethany will send an update to your providers (doulas, midwives, lactation specialist, chiropractors, craniosacral fascial therapists, infant occupational therapists, pediatrician). This will include a clinical report of findings, as well as photos to keep your care team informed.
The day after the tongue tie procedure
Your child will likely feel tired from the procedure and possibly more fussy than normal.
Be sure to follow the wound care guidance that goes over in details of what to expect. Dr. Bethany also encourages you to follow up with your lactation specialist for feeding support after the procedure.
Follow up Visits
1st Follow Up
During this visit, Dr. Bethany will check-in on you and your baby. She will evaluate how the frenectomy wound is healing and will perform an in office wound care stretch for you.
You’ll have a chance to ask questions and get additional support around wound care.
2nd Follow Up
Dr. Bethany checks in to make sure everything is healing well.
She provides instructions for managing the wound over the next 4 weeks. Dr. Bethany will also offer recommendations for optimizing tongue mobility and function.
Preparing the night before your baby’s tongue tie procedure
The night before your baby’s frenectomy, you might feel anxious or nervous but that’s normal.
You may feel like you need to prepare your child for the procedure, but the reality is your child has no fears or worries about it. The biggest focus actually needs to be on YOU!
We recommend trying to relax and do whatever makes you feel most at ease. Take a bath, watch a movie, meditate. Give yourself extra care, so that on the day of the frenectomy you can be as relaxed as possible.
The more calm, and confident you are the better your baby will feel!
If you’re still feeling nervous, take a look at our testimonials page and feel assured that you’re in good hands.