Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy... tell me what you know.

DS is 20 months and has just been diagnosed with his 7th bout of tonsillitis since August last year. Each case of tonsillitis has been accompanied by ear infections. Poor little bugger suffers high temps and is miserable for about a week. Anti-biotics really aren't working and I don't want him on them back to back.

Saw the GP today and he has given us a referral for an Ear Nose and Throat surgeon :( The thought of a GA scares the daylights out of me.

I am looking for positive stories and some information so I know what we are in for. I'm making the appointment with the surgeon tomorrow so I'd like to know what questions to ask.

TIA
Spring.

There is a thread about this that was started in August last year. There were a few of us going through the same thing at the same time so there are some really good things in there.

My son had his tonsils and adenoids out in September last year. I will be honest it was TERRIBLE at the time but if I had my time over I would get it done again. His health has improved so much. He hardly ever gets sick now and sleeps so much better. He was 5 years old though. A lot older than 20 months so we were able to talk to him and explain what was going to happen. My specialist said that he doesn't do under 2 years old unless they are really bad.

The day of the surgery was very traumatic for both myself and for him. He was in quite a bit of pain. It is well worth having done but be prepared for a tough week or 2. If you do go ahead with it. Keep up the painkillers and I mean real pain killers. Panadol wouldn't of worked for my DS at all. He needed something a lot stronger and I actually woke him to give it to him in the first few days so he wouldn't wake up screaming in pain. It was almost impossible for him to take the med if I left it too long. They do say that they can eat whatever they want but it was only soft food for about 5 days (maybe longer) custard, jelly etc and lots of sips of water. Juice I think stung. Icy poles I've heard are very good too but my son doesn't eat them.

I don't really know what questions you can ask the specialist tomorrow but don't leave until you feel comfortable that you know all you need to.

I really hope I didn't scare you with this post. For us it wasn't nice but well worth it and it looks like we might be going through it again with DS #2. I hate thinking about it but know that after the intial 2 weeks it will be well worth it.

Actually ask the specialst the procedure. I was too emotional and I didn't want DS to see me upset before the op so DH went into the operating room with him and stayed until he was fully out of it. The minute he woke in recovery they came and got us and we were able to go in and cuddle him. I stayed with him all day and slept the night at the hospital by his side. The next day we were able to come home.

Feel free to ask if you have more questions. All the best.

The thread was called Two kids in for Tonsillectomy . Sorry I don't know how to put the link here

Tell me what you want to know. I had mine out at 4. My nephew at 5 and my niece in a few weeks at 5 too. My sister had hers out at 16 with complications post op (the usual 7-10 days after the operation).

You can call me if that makes it easier ;)

Thanks Lukesmum and Michelle

I rang the specialist and won't get in to see him until 2 June so I guess no rush. I guess I just wanted to know about recovery etc and how long DS will be sore for. I think the main reason they are thinking of doing it soon is that he is getting one bout of tonsillitis after another with both ears infected and anti-biotics are not helping really at all.

I guess between now and 2 June I'll do some more research and write down the questions I need to ask.

Hi Spring,

This is a bit of a side step - I had my tonsils out at 30 - I had constant low grade infections after a nasty bout of tonsillitis at 24. This which used to flare up with increasing regularity until I was really crook. I had 2 months off work and felt horrendous. Tonsils came out and it was incredible - I only realised how ill I was after they came out as I felt so good - despite the pain of the op etc. It was not nice but the result was worth it.

I believe kids have a quicker recovery and I only wish I had mine out earlier.

Good luck.

My daughter had her tonsils out and her adenoids quaterised (?sp) when she was 4. She had it done at the RCH, Melbourne. They were fantastic and the procedure went smoothly. When she was in recovery she got REALLY scared waking up and was thrashing around the bed and trying to jump out. It was awful. She stayed in hossy for 2 nights and came home. She was on pain stop medication that tasted terrible and we had to force it down- but she needed it, panadol wasnt enough. I also woke her during the night to dose her up. She was out of action for about 2 weeks but recovered quite well. Her health is fantastic now and I would do it again for her sake.

Kids are pretty resilliant and tend to recover better than adults - probably cause we are big sooks!

Good Luck with everything.

Bec

Most important thing to remember with tonsils and adenoids is to make sure they eat and drink as much as possible afterwards. We find a lot of our children come back with bleeding if they haven't had a normal diet afterwards.

My daughter had a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and grommits in a week before her second birthday. It was the best thing I could have done for her.

The surgery itself was awful - being with her while they put her under I really hated but I would have felt worse if I wasn't there. No needles while she was awake. They did the drip when she was out. The surgery only took 45 minutes and she climbed into the nurses lap for cuddles when she was waking. Tiana had a reaction to the anathesia and her oxygen levels were low for about 8 hours after but then they came good.

The first 2 days after there wasn't a problem. It was like she hadn't had an operation. Days 3-6 she was awful. The healing of the throat must have hurt and made her clingy, cranky and sad. To be expected though. She was pretty much herself again after a week and a half.

It wasn't a nice thing to go through but one of the best things I could have done. She wasn't on antibiotics for over 6 months after being on them every week just about. She is now starting to get ear infections again as the grommits have fallen out but worst case she will need another set put in.

Hope this helps.

I remember being back at school a week after I had my tonsils out. It was painful though. I lived on jelly, ice cream, mashed potato and yoghurt for a week which was great for me at the time ;). My mum had hers out in her 30's and had the worst time recovering.

Your DS will be fine, it's the best thing you can do for him if he's always getting sick. Hope all goes well for you.

My DD1 had tonsils, adenoids & grommits done at 5.
She was ok the next day, took 2 - 3 days for her to act/play like normal, but its a total of 2 weeks to completely recover.
She refused to eat the first day, but started slowly the second day. I think they have to avoid nose blowing for the 2 weeks too from what I remember.

The surgery is hard, but as Marnikat said, there are no needles til they are out. It doesn't take long.
DD had a reaction to the anaesthetic too, but its something that runs in our family. Nothing dangerous or life threatening, just being awake & crying the second she came out. She didn't sleep it off & wasn't drowsy like the others.

My son is 3 and a half and has had tonsillitis constantly for most of his life. We can no longer medicate him as he is allergic to all of the medication ( i mean all we have tried everything) I have just made him an appointment with a great ENT in Sydney. But I am very worried.

As with your question, I can say that I had mine out at 11years old after suffering for years. The operation was fine but the post surgery pain was not too good. Had 2 weeks of very painful eating and drinking, but was well worth it. Since then I am never really sick I am 26 years old and even in cold/ flu season I don't get sick. So is worth the pain.
I guess I should heed my own words. I am just not looking forward to the pain he will be in after.
Good luck