Proud to introduce Gabbie's Surgeon, Dr. Glenda De Villa (oral&maxilofacial surgeon) and Orthodontist, Dr. Janet Pandan.
I found Dr. Glenda through Noordhoff’s website. Ive seen Smile train, operation smile’s website, searched for private plastic surgeons, dentist, pediatric surgeons... but I was never satisfied with the results. my heart is still not at rest. In NCFPI’s website, Dr. Glenda was named President. Right now its Dr. Tansipek, not sure if their website is updated already. I kept coming back to NCFPI’s website because its the only foundation whose Professional volunteers are well stated and listed. the first idea was we have to look for the best, so my list will have to start with the president hehe so yes I googled and kinda stalked dr. Glenda’s works =)
imagine my happiness when I saw that Dr. Glenda has a clinic in Asian Hospital... Where I am about to give birth at that time. From there I have a feeling she’s the one. Shes an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, you couldnt go wrong with that. I called her office and arranged a meeting.
We met with dr. glenda first and right, then and there, we knew we’re at the right place. her calmness.. like parang she’s saying madali lang yan, dont worry! plus what she said about teaching Gabbie that beauty is just superficial, that beauty comes from the heart (not exact words, but that’s that). then we met with dra. Janet, They introduced to us the NAM (nasoalveolar molding, w/c after some meetings we learned from their secretary that it was Dra. Glenda who brought the method of using NAM here in the Philippines). This is like a denture without the teeth with a stent for the nose. Sa pagkakaintindi ko these are the purpose of NAM
*Its primary job is to help the gap become smaller w/c makes the surgery easier and outcome much better.
* They said it will act as gabbie's artificial palate for easier feeding, hence the easier weight gain wc she will need for her first surgery.
*the NAM also has the stent w/c raises the nose.
They also told us that it will be used for the first 3 months of life. This is the time na ooperahan na ang baby. -- it is effective during this time, after that hindi na nya magagawa yung role nya na mag help liitan ang gap, ofcourse sa pagiging artificial palate andon parin yon. Gabbie was scheduled for surgery nung 3months sya pero laging nappostpone. Napansin namin na bumababa na ang nose nya kahit iadjust pa. Siguro dahil sa taping ko din, pero even with the correct taping bumababa sya. I am not sure if the NAM is not effective nadin around this time for her Nose, mga 4months na sya non. Kaya for me very important na pregnant pa lang makapag consult na or pagkapanganak pa lang... Para maaga magamit at mamaximize ang NAM.
We agreed to use NAM, and decided to have it as early ad possible para makapag feed si gabbie ng maayos agad. Gabbie started using NAM at 2 days old. I was able to breastfeed pero nagmixfeeding din kami pag dating nya ng 2weeks old. She got used to it agad, umiyak sya syempre nung fitting. After that wala na. During her weekly adjustments wala din naging problema si Dr. Pandan, nagugulat pa nga sya dahil hindi umiiyak si Gabbie hihi. Our only nemesis is the taping. Nightmare eh. The taping naman papractisin nya ang cheek muscles na maging malapit sa isat isa. Hiyangan talaga, there are different tapes that you could try. First stop, the micropore. Most common na ginagamit. there’s also the Steristrips - eto pinakaeffective kay gabbie. Duoderm + micropore. thers also what they call White transpore - i think this is a new kind of tape. Kasi nung nasa nursing school palang ako wala pang ganito. Haha! I read na waterproof din sya :) I think we all need to try para makita kung ano pinaka ok kaybaby :)
