hospital experience having tubes put in

DS's surgery is scheduled for February and we have his pre-op appointment a few days before the surgery. I am sure the doc will answer any questions I have, but I am so anxious about this. Can anyone describe their DC's experience having the tubes put in. We will be at St. Charles...

Re: hospital experience having tubes put in

both of my DC have tubes. DD is on her 2nd set (3rd coming soon) and DS has 1 set so far.

I worry each and every time because it's a surgery, but honestly its really easy. The worst part is that they can't eat before. They are given a liquid sedative (looks like tylenol) and they get really loopy. Then you or your DH can go into the operation room until they fall asleep. (that part is emotional, I did once but now I make my DH do it.) The procedure is about 10 - 15 minutes tops. They are usually still sleeping when I get up to recovery, but wake after a few minutes. They are irritable and crying when they wake up, but it's more disorientation than anything else. They may give some tylenol. The last time they gave my DD an ice pop to cheer her up (she was 2 1/2)

But honestly by the time we got home (about an hour after the surgery) you'd never know anything happened. Eating, playing like normal.


Try not to worry too much

Any questions just let me know!! Unfortunately I'm a pro at this

Re: hospital experience having tubes put in

Thanks so much. I was wondering how long we'd have to stay at the hospital after the surgery... it seems like you were on your way home pretty quickly. I hope that's what happens with us, too.

Thanks again!

Re: hospital experience having tubes put in

Abby had tubes put in a little over 6 months ago when she was 10 months old. Different doctors put in different types of tubes. Abby's do not need to be replaced - she just had a follow up a couple of weeks ago. The entire procedure was 15 minutes long - just enough time to get a cup of coffee. She woke up a bit disoriented, but at that age, its to be expected. She went into surgery playing and woke up in a bed with nurses all around her. It was worse for us than for her.

Re: hospital experience having tubes put in

DD just had tubes put in Dec 2009 at St. Charles.

I had a really good experience there. The prep was good and they have a waiting room for you to stay in that is separate from the general waiting room. The first part of recovery, they have you in a special area where you wait for them to wake up. That was great. Then they bring you to general recovery which is tough. It's the same recovery room for all the ambulatory and if your DC has some uncomfortablness, the nurses aren't too happy with the crying. Why they don't have a separate area, I don't know.

FM me with any questions.