My DD hasn't had either of these proceedures but I have nursed plent of children in Day Surg who have had it.

The girls have given you some great tips and experiences on what you could expect. It does depend on the hospital and it's policy as well as the anethetist as to whether or not a parent is allowed into the anesthetic room with the child. Usually it is only one parent. It can be very traumatic for a parent to see their child anethetised. One minute they are talking/laughing/crying and the next they're not responding to anything you say and are limp. In most cases, the anethetist uses a gas to send the child off to sleep before inserting the cannula (needle thing in the hand/arm) as that can be traumatic for a young child. If you're at all worried, grab some Emla from the chemist and pop on the top of their hand when you get to the hospital. By the time your child is seen it will be working.

The length of stay for both proceedures is dependent on hospital policy, age, and Dr preference. At the hospital I was at, it was done as a 10 hour stay (approx) and the child couldn't leave until they had something to eat and drink and could keep it down. We always offered icey poles (lemonade) and jelly as well as sandwhiches. This meant if the child was done in the morning, they'd go late afternoon. If they were done in the afternoon, they had to be admitted over night and would only stay in recovery for 30 minutes before going upstairs.

The recovery room can be a scary place for a child and parent. It is not uncommon for children (and even adults) to wake up hysterical or tantrumy from an anesthetic. I think it is something like 25% of kids are affected in this way. It is a side effect of the anesthetic. It is not long lasting and it is not damaging. To many people, it looks like the child might be having a tantrum or be in pain. Usually, they are not in pain, it is the anesthetic. They might be crying, lashing out (punching, kicking, biting), screaming, unconsolable. The best thing you can do is to remain calm and to give lots of kisses and cuddles. They will eventually calm down. Try to distract them with a fav toy or book. Try to encourage them to sleep it off. But remember, not every child is affected in this way.

It can also be scary for children to go to sleep in a strange room in a strange bed with strangers around them, to wake up in another room which is just as strange and with a stranger there and to be attached to something strange (a peg on their finger or tow or even ear) and to have a strange thing in their hand (the cannula). So try to send them with something familiar and comforting.

Tonsillectomies are usually fairly painless for the child - it is usually just a strange feeling for them. Panadol is usually enough to deal with any discomfort they might have.

Good luck with the surgeries and wishing your little ones a speedy recovery.

MG