Tonque-Tied

Almost a year after my son's diagnosis and laser frenectomy with Dr. Veerula, I decided to explore my own tongue-tie situation. I inquired if he performed the procedure on adults.

After a quick yet thorough assessment of both my physical and mental symptoms (including anxiety related to speech!), Dr. V scheduled me for the procedure. I was familiar with the physical aspects from my son's experience, but I was eager to understand how it felt personally.

The laser procedure was completely painless. The aftercare was a bit uncomfortable, but Dr. V prepared us well and supported us throughout the process. As a parent, it was tough to hear my son cry during the procedure, but I was grateful that his tears weren't from pain. He was in excellent hands with Dr. V, and I wouldn't trust my children with anyone else. About a year later we took our youngest child to Dr. V for a frenectomy. Their speech exploded alongside their peers. We are very grateful for his expertise and being able to quickly diagnose our youngest!

AFTERCARE:

Choosing a doctor with a strong aftercare protocol was important to us. Dr. Veerula checked every box. Mouth wounds heal very quickly, and the aftercare procedures are designed to slow healing to prevent thick scar tissue that could cause reattachment.
                                              DO WHAT YOU CAN 

As a parent, I know it's challenging to follow protocols perfectly! Hearing our children in discomfort is heartbreaking. My son struggled with the stretches due to what we later learned was a sensory processing disorder, which made it difficult for us to adhere to the original recommendations. Dr. Veerula was quick to assist!

He provided us with a new, personalized aftercare plan that was more manageable for my sensory-sensitive child and offered encouragement as both a parent and physician. Dr. Veerula genuinely cares about the well-being of you and your child, and he works diligently to ensure the best outcomes. I've never encountered a physician as dedicated and compassionate.

Pain Management:
Dr. Veerula's individualized pain management approach is incredibly effective! I experienced no pain when following his recommendations. He was very understanding of our sensory needs and our desire for more natural pain management. There were definitely tears from both of us along this journey, but the results were well worth it!

The Results:

• My speech improved significantly! (I had a lisp and struggled with the letters "S" and "Z.")

• My social anxiety related to speech has nearly vanished (no more stuttering!)

• I sleep better! I've noticed a remarkable improvement in my sleep quality.

• I used to experience jaw pain while chewing, but now my jaw doesn't overcompensate.

• I also had difficulty swallowing thick foods and large pills, but that's no longer an issue.

• After my son's procedure, he was able to nurse painlessly!

• He gained weight and went from "failure to thrive" to thriving!

• Following his revision at 3 years old, we saw almost immediate improvements in his speech. 

• We enrolled him in speech therapy to retrain his now fully released tongue and lip. His speech is now clear and on par with his peers.

• He is thriving socially and academically, all thanks to Dr. V and his laser.

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If you haven't considered a frenectomy for yourself or your child due to fear of the procedure or doubts about its effectiveness, I urge you to get an evaluation! This experience was life-changing for both me and my son!

-A. Patient and mom of two  9/15/2024