Doctor Visit...what is it??

Mommy and Daddy were off work this morning, so we could take Olivia in for her checkup with Dr. Elwood. He is the plastic surgeon that will be looking at the bump behind Olivia's ear. Here is what we found out: It is more than likely a Dermoid Cyst, which is fairly common and not harmful. They are generally benign, so he is not worried at all. Basically, it is a cyst filled with "oily material" (sounds gross huh), but again is not harmful. He said that it would eventually start slowly getting bigger as she gets older, so it would be best to remove it now before it gets any bigger. He said even though it doesn't appear or feel like it has changed in size, it probably has gotten a little bigger since she has had it for so long.

Our options at this point are to do a CT scan to verify everything he told us, or to remove it and still be able to find out exactly what it is. They would send it to a pathologist to check it and test it, etc. It would be an outpatient surgery so we would be in and out. The procedure would only take about 30 minutes but she would have to be completely out to do it…which makes Mommy the most nervous! He said there would be a scar about the size of the cyst cause they will cut it straight down the middle but since it is right on her hairline, you shouldn't be able to see it.

Also, they will use absorbable stitches so she wouldn't have to go back to get them removed. I also asked about it recurring and he said there is only about a 2-4% chance of that happening. Also, I asked about infection and he said that was less than 1%, so that is good news also. The only other thing I found interesting was that roughly 90 - 95% of these cysts are generally located on the front of the head or right on the face, and only 5% are found on the back of the head…so I guess it could have been a lot worse. He said he typically sees them around the eyes…I cannot imagine if that were the case for Olivia!

Anyway, it seems to be nothing to worry about, and they should be calling Friday to schedule an appointment time to get it removed. He said they should have some time within the next few weeks. So, hopefully she'll do great that day too!!! Mommy on the other hand, will have to watch them take her baby off to another room! Yuck…not looking forward to that!!!