Tonsils & adenoids removal for 5 year old

[barb]

Hi all,
We were told today that my 5 year old's tonsils and adenoids should be removed. I am looking for any suggestions, advice, questions to ask the dr, experiences, anything.
He's often has a snotty nose that takes ages to clear, so breathes through his mouth mostly. And has huge tonsils, and generally coughs a lot. He is otherwise healthy. But these have been going on for so long that we kinda are used to it. I know it's not normal though. Let me say though that I've suspected it and I am not against it. (The surgery) I think (and dr thinks also) that his life quality would improve heaps.
Thanks for all replies!

[Ginger]

My ds had his tonsils and adenoids out and grommets put in a couple of years ago. His health has improved remarkably since the surgery. He is sleeping better, eating more, talking more and has put on heaps of weight. We have not looked back.

[Early Kids]

My eldest had his tonsils, adenoids and grommets done at 4.5, since then he has not had ANY throat infections and has been very well (only a few colds). He had the surgery just 6 weeks after coming out of PICU, so there was added complications to his surgery, but overall it went very smoothly. Recovery took about 2 weeks and we had to stay close by the hospital. I wish I had pushed for it earlier, his sleeping has improved ten fold.

[Peta]

My DD had her tonsils, adenoids & grommets done in April this year at 3. She was immediately a changed child. Has only had one cold since (rather than being on antibiotics constantly for the last 2+ years); eats a ton; has put on weight; her voice changed (I think its more her speaking became clearer, which is probably due to the fact she could hear properly). She had what the ENT described as the most disgusting & large tonsils he'd ever seen + mega wax build up in each ear, so for us recovery was very good. Every "milestone" the ENT described she hit on schedule. She was eating potato chips & anything else she could grab 2 hours after surgery (they don't restrict what they eat at our hospital) & just continued to improve. The ENT said the pain she had lived in constantly before was probably a "normal" for her, so the recovery pain would have been no different.

You may have already had surgery by now & if so I hope it went well!