Our Services
1. Same-day 'Consult & Surgery',
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2. Consult first, then decide on Surgery
Procedure starting from: $600.00
TONGUE-TIE SURGERY IS A TEAM-BASED CARE
Dr Islam's tongue-tie philosophy
Not all cases of tongue-tie or lip-tie in infants require surgical intervention. Surgery is typically considered only when a tongue-tie or lip-tie is identified at birth and the infant has attempted various latching techniques suggested by midwives and lactation consultants, yet continues to struggle with feeding. This is then classified as medically necessary.
It's important to note that tongue-ties and lip-ties occur in varying degrees among infants, children, and adults. However, only a small percentage of these cases result in functional issues, such as difficulty latching and feeding, which can affect an infant's growth during their critical early weeks.
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In such cases, Dr Islam may recommend the procedure, which is classified as medically necessary.
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Causes
Tongue function typically begins in utero, and when development is normal, it allows for a full range of motion. However, in cases of tongue-tie, the formation of the lingual frenulum and its underlying fascia is irregular, restricting this range of motion. The exact reasons for this condition are largely unknown, though some evidence suggests that tongue-tie may be linked to genetic and epigenetic factors.
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Risk factors
Although tongue-tie can affect anyone, it’s more common in boys than girls. Tongue-tie sometimes runs in families.
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Why was tongue-tie release surgery not provided after birth in the hospital?
Every hospital in Australia has its own protocols for breastfeeding and infant medical care. When a tongue-tie is observed by a midwife, nurse, or paediatrician, health professionals typically adopt a "wait-and-see" approach. During the mother's recovery in the hospital, a lactation nurse will provide support for breastfeeding, even if a tongue-tie is present. The lactation nurse will address the issue first before recommending a tongue-tie procedure to the paediatrician.
It is important to note that tongue-tie surgery is medically necessary only if it (is the ONLY factor) affecting an infant's ability to latch onto the breast or bottle, impacting their growth and development during the first few weeks of life.
We understand that tongue-tie surgery is not the sole solution to breastfeeding challenges. Instead, a lactation nurse could also support you along your journey to breast or bottlefeeding at birth. - which is why we take a similar approach. Dr. Islam will assess your infant and ask a series of questions before consenting to the surgery.
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How do I know when to seek advice?
Your baby shows one or more of the signs described above when breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
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clicking noises
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difficulty latching
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painful nipple after feeding
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infant inability to feel full after a standard breastfeeding session
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An infant feeding specialist – International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or other health professional has identified that your baby’s ties need a diagnosis from a professional experienced with oral ties.
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Your older child complains of tongue problems that interfere with eating, speaking or reaching the back teeth.
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Your infant is having trouble with eating solids or has a delayed onset of speech.
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Why a referral for a 5-week-old infant?
During the first few weeks of life, an infant does not require a referral for tongue-tie surgery, as the procedure will immediately improve feeding function.
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For infants or toddlers older than 5 weeks who are experiencing feeding issues, this indicates that a tongue-tie or lip-tie has not affected their growth during the first 5 weeks. In such cases, a team of professionals is needed to support your child both before and after surgery.
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Why a referral for a 5-month-old infant?
Your infant has already reached their growth outcomes as per your Maternal Health & Child (MCH) nurse. Feeding is not the issue. Perhaps you have a concern with your child's excessive drooling or not sticking out their tongue playfully. Therefore, a referral for the surgery will require a discussion with a team of oral medicine allied health specialists to determine and help you assess if tongue/lip-tie is the cause of your concerns.
If a tongue/lip-tie is determined to be necessary, Dr Islam will perform the surgery.
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Before Surgery:
Obtain referrals from the following professionals:-
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Lactation Consultant
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Speech Pathologist
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Oro-myofunctional Therapist
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These referrals will assist us, the doctors, in performing the surgery safely, ensuring there is a diagnosis and support from another professional.​
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After Surgery:
Continue with rehabilitation and conditioning for feeding and speech issues with the following professionals:-
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Lactation Consultant-
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Speech Pathologist-
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Oro-myofunctional Therapist
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If, after surgery, all issues are resolved without further conditioning, attending follow-up sessions with these professionals becomes optional.
Methods Used
Infant Tongue-tie and Lip-tie Release: Surgery by medical doctors
All Australian-trained specialist GPs can perform tongue-tie or lip-tie release for infants if trained and have a procedural license.
A paediatric dentist would be more appropriate for care when a child is older and has a thicker tongue/lip tie.
We are a tight-knit team of medical doctors, nurses and a surgical pharmacist focusing on tongue-tie and lip-tie release procedures. We perform these surgeries based on extensive experience and surgical training from Ireland, Canada, South Africa, and Australia. These procedures aim to help infants achieve better nutrition, from latching to the nipple during breastfeeding or to bottle teats.
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We perform tongue-tie procedures when there is a valid clinical reason. Some pediatricians in hospitals conduct these procedures after an infant's birth, while others do not, based on reasoning similar medical reasoning to Dr Islam's. That means if the infant is not latching well or for other reasons, our doctor will perform the surgery. If your little one is already growing and feeding well, there is a high chance Dr Hossain Islam will not perform the surgery at all. This is because it is not a functional tongue-tie, whereby the function of nutrition/latching/bottle-feeding is impacted.
Quick 1-minute procedure
We know bubs will be afraid of being under bright surgery lights. Therefore, Dr Hossain Islam and Dr Mahmud Ali will examine the baby's oral cavity quickly, make a decision, obtain your final consent, and perform the incision.
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The incision is performed with anaesthetic spray followed by using rounded-ended sharp surgical dissecting scissors to release the tight tongue or lip-tie. Our technique aligns with the surgical protocols used by The Royal Children's Hospital, VIC.
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The tongue/lip-tie release surgery takes 1 minute - from the surgical table back to Mum's breast or Dad's fun cuddles!
Follow-up Care - 24/7
Our clinic provides comprehensive follow-up care after tongue-tie and lip-tie release procedures to ensure the best possible outcomes for our little patients.
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You get 24/7 phone number access to your procedural doctor and no further charge doctor follow-ups if requested.
Parent Education
We offer educational support and guidance to parents, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to care for their child post-procedure.
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We offer referrals to paediatric speech pathologists for further speech training if needed.
Parent Education
We offer educational support and guidance to parents, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to care for their child post-procedure.
Our nurse will guide you on maintaining that wound area with a hands-on demonstration. We want to ensure the tongue-tie or lip-tie is released and kept healthy and flexible.
Gold Surgical Standards
Our team only use the highest quality surgical tools for tongue-tie and lip-tie release. We use Tungsten Carbide Gold Handle tools that are the industry's best. 10X stronger than 18K gold. Ensuring a sharp, precise and consistent cut. Safe, effective, and producing good cosmetic outcomes.
Your Surgical Team
Dr Hossain Islam
MBBS FRACGP FACRRM DipSkinCancerMed
Tongue-tie Institute-trained
Medical Practitioner
Procedural GP and MD
Dr Islam is a highly skilled procedural specialist medical practitioner focusing on outpatient surgical procedures. He regularly performs tongue-tie and lip-tie release procedures, skin cancer removal, and penile frenulum surgery. Trained in South Africa, Canada and Australia, Dr Islam is dedicated to the art of delicate skin tissue surgery and providing the best care for infants, children, and adults.
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Dr Islam is an extensively trained specialist with dual Fellowships, one from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) and another from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM).
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He obtained practical training in tongue-tie and lip-ties from Dr David Hunt - a key figure in the Queensland tongue-tie health community.
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Outside of work, he loves to garden and watch comedy dramas.
Kelly McLaughlin
DipNurs
Endorsed Enrolled Nurse
EEN
Nurse Kelly is a nurse with past experience in the private hospital setting.
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Lisa is a mother to three teenage kids and enjoys Zumba classes and crafting.
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She is caring and will create an environment to help your little one settle in for surgery.
She has a love affair with the characters Lilo & Stitch!
Lisa Hine, RN
BNurs
Registered Nurse
RN
Nurse Lisa is a registered nurse with experience in maternal and child care. She works in both private hospital neonatal wards and in outpatient procedural general practice. She has extensive experience supporting doctors with skin procedures such as skin surgery and infant circumcisions. She brings her knowledge from the private hospitals to Melbourne's Tongue-tie and Lip-tie Clinic.
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Lisa is a mother to three teenage kids and enjoys physical endurance workout challenges. She is training for and collecting multiple completion badges in obstacle course races and mud runs, such as Spartan and Tough Mudder.
She is also a major Swiftie!
What is a tongue-tie or lip-tie?
TONGUE-TIE
Tongue tie occurs in about three per cent of babies and is a condition that can run in families. It is more commonly found in boys.
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Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is when the thin piece of skin under the baby’s tongue (the lingual frenulum) is abnormally short. This may restrict the movement of the tongue.
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The most immediate impact of this is the potential effect on breastfeeding. It can interfere with a baby’s ability to latch and suckle at the breast leading to:
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Nipple pain and trauma
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Poor breast milk intake
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A decrease in milk supply over time
LIP-TIE
A newborn lip tie, also known as an upper lip tie, can cause breastfeeding and infant speech development difficulties.
It occurs when the band of tissue under the centre of the upper lip is tight, restricting the mobility of the upper lip. This condition may be associated with tongue tie and can be assessed and detected by healthcare professionals such as GPs, neonatologists, pediatricians, or lactation specialists.
While upper lip tie has been less studied than tongue tie, it can be effectively treated with a simple and painless procedure for the baby.
If left untreated, an upper lip tie may lead to breastfeeding problems and speech delay in children.
Clinical Co-ordinator
Zachary Sum
BPharm(Hons.) MPH PDipDermatology FANZCAP (Derm., Surg.)
Pharmacist - Dermatology & Surgery
Clinician Director
Zachary Sum is a consultant pharmacist with over ten years of experience, trained in Australia. He has extensive expertise across various fields, including surgery and dermatology.
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As a father who has benefited from subsidised tongue-tie surgery for my child from a hospital paediatrician, I have observed that this essential service is frequently provided only upon request. Regrettably, many infants do not receive timely referrals until midwives have exhausted all other alternatives. Consequently, it is common for parents to be discharged without additional support. This care gap prompted Zachary and Dr Hossain Islam to establish a critical medical service, significantly enhancing the growth and development of infants. Together, they are effecting meaningful change for families in need.
Under the Canadian surgical franchise Pollock Group, he trained with esteemed procedural specialists Dr Hossain Islam and Dr Mahmud Ali. His training has led to significant contributions in perioperative surgical medication selection, resulting in optimal patient outcomes in frenulum-related surgeries, such as tongue-tie and lip-tie excisions.
Zachary trained at the Queensland Tongue Tie Clinic under Dr David Hunt and later co-founded the Melbourne Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Clinic with Dr Hossain Islam. In this clinic, medical practitioners perform infant tongue-tie and lip-tie release procedures using only the highest-quality surgical tools to achieve the best possible results.
He holds appointments at Eden Rise Family Clinic and the Gentle Procedures Clinic in Melbourne. Additionally, he serves as an examiner for the Bachelor's/Master's of Pharmacy programs at Monash University.
Zachary also holds a Master's degree in Public Health and a Certificate IV in Nutrition. These qualifications have broadened his understanding of how infant tongue and lip-tie surgeries can address public health priorities in infant nutrition, particularly in developed countries.
As a dedicated and compassionate perioperative surgical pharmacist, his goal is to guide patients through surgery as smoothly and comfortably as possible, utilising the most effective techniques and medications. Zachary is committed to supporting patients in their medication selection and overall journey until they achieve complete recovery.
