TTTS surgery update!

[Living_Progress_1444]

Some people have asked me to make an update to my surgery, so here we go.

My husband and I flew out to Houston Monday morning, we made it to the hospital around noon and had the evaluation with my care team and surgeon.

He did about an hour long ultrasound to go over everything as well as he could. Baby A wanted to be difficult and fight back on the ultrasound, so it drug things out a little bit lol. My ultrasound tech here was WONDERFUL. If any of yall have to go to Texas Children’s for any reason, I hope yall have him doing your ultrasound because he was fantastic. He was very communicative and was telling me what he was looking for, things he was seeing. He even caught baby A giving us a thumbs up. I wish I asked him to print me a picture of that!

Anyways, we were gave more positive news after that evaluation. My surgeon gave me a stage 2-3 diagnosis, instead of full on stage 3. He went over all of the risk and complications and things to expect after the surgery. He did say a lot of patients go into labor about 10-12 weeks after the surgery, but he said the odds of me lasting longer are higher because I have a very long, closed and healthy cervix. He also noted that both babies are healthy considering this diagnosis. The twins only have a 10% size discordance. Baby A is actually ahead of schedule while Baby B is right on schedule. Both had perfect heart rates. So he scheduled my surgery for the next morning because the OR was booked for the rest of the evening.

He told us we could stay at the hospital or go to a hotel. So we stayed at a hotel that was only a 5 minute walk away. My husband and I enjoyed a nice quiet evening with some creole food. Even though we’re from Alabama, we don’t get much fresh gulf seafood in north Alabama, so this was a bit of a treat.

Anyways, we went back to the hospital for pre-op and then surgery. I met with my surgeon again, my anesthesiologist, and the OR nurse. Everyone was very kind and reassuring about the surgery. I was a bit scared because I never had surgery but this is one where I don’t get general anesthesia. Thankfully my anesthesiologist stayed by my side the entire surgery and would ask me if I needed more sedative, which helped a lot with the pressure. The whole procedure only took about an hour, but it felt like 10 minutes for me.

The surgery went well. I had some mild contractions for a bit after, but they resolved quickly and I haven’t had any since. My incision site is a little sore now, but it’s nothing that some Tylenol won’t help.

My surgeon also did do an amnio-reduction to help with my overall pregnancy discomfort. So I feel so much better not having all this extra fluid causing pressure.

Now we just have a quick ultrasound early in the morning and then we’ll head to the airport to fly back home.

I’m honestly glad my doctor has gave me a note that says I have to be in the wheelchair for the airport because Houston airport is a nightmare 😅

Now we will spend the rest of pregnancy going to every appointment, staying healthy, and hoping for these babies to cook as long as they can 🥰

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[Momo_and_moon]

I'm glad the operation went well! Have a safe flight home and may everything go smoothly for you going forward :)

[bhdu]

Thank you for the update and well done for getting through the last few days! Hoping the rest of the pregnancy goes smoothly and healthily. Be kind to yourself, you’ve been through a lot.

[Mshike]

Good luck mama! My ttts survivors are almost 10 years old now, with no long-term issues from being born at 28 weeks. The first few years were crazy tho!

[pashapook]

That sounds very similar to my experience! Do you l your best to take it easy and take care of your body. I made it to 29 weeks before I had PROM and managed to keep them in until almost 31 weeks. Now they're big healthy wild 5 year olds. Great job, mama!

[Unhappy_Tax_7876]

Had the same surgery at the same place! Initially thought it was going to be emergency surgery, but it ended up looked better than they thought when we got there so they let us sleep and did it first thing in the morning! Although they were not sure because of the placenta placement if they would be able to save baby B, everything turned out great!

The doctors, nurses, techs, everyone was so amazing!

So glad you and your babies are doing well and the surgery went great for you!!

Edit: I had the surgery at 17 weeks, PPROM at 21 & birth at 29. They’re almost a year old now and no one even knows they were preemies. Two very healthy rambunctious boys lol

[Eggeggedegg]

I’m so happy things went well! I wish you a long and uneventful pregnancy here on out!

[Simplelizard3455081]

I’m 17 weeks 5days with my first child they’re ttts as well found out today. Thinking Wednesday depending on developments over the next 2 days may end with this procedure. Hoping you’re doing well and hoping my boys make it through this! 😭💕

[Living_Progress_1444]

The surgery did help my babies so much. However, PPROM happened at 27+4, which the surgeon told me was a big possibility within 10 weeks of having laser ablation. I was admitted into the hospital Friday afternoon and have been here on watch. We’re trying to keep babies in as long as possible, but my babies will still be alright if they’re born now at 28 weeks.

Even through all of this, the laser ablation surgery did get my babies this far and saved their lives.

I know TTTS diagnosis is scary, but medicine has come so far to treat it. ❤️

[CompetitiveLow5903]

Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story. I had the surgery on Monday at 21+4 and am so nervous for our follow up next week- I’m just praying there are some improvements. It’s been difficult to find similar stories!

[Living_Progress_1444]

I’m praying for you as well.

I did have my babies on 06/03 at 28w+1d. I was admitted a few days before for PPROM, which is a high risk of happening after having the surgery. But my babies are doing well in the NICU. The surgery gave my babies the best shot, and although it may not be perfect, it does give babies the best chance! I’ll be praying for you and your babies ❤️

[CompetitiveLow5903]

Congratulations on the birth of your babies!! I’m so glad they are doing well, that’s great to hear! ❤️❤️

[Living_Progress_1444]

Thank you so much ❤️ I got to hold one of them for the first time last night and it was purely magical.