If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

What was the whole procedure like from start to finish? What can I expect before, during, and after? What was recovery like?

My sons (5yrs old) surgery is scheduled for next week; and my anxiety has set in full force. I literally can't sleep at night and keep questioning myself if Im doing the right thing... (I mean I KNOW I am, but still wonder if Ill regret it (Im so morbid and always think the worst)

I literally can't sleep at night, thinking about all the terrbile what if's and Im thinking MAYBE if I had clearer understanding of the whole procedure my mind would stop wandering...

How are the children put under anesthsia? Do children typically have a reaction? (My mom told me a horror story about my brother going under; and now Im thinking Im not sure I even wanna be around when he goes under!) What are they like coming out of anesthsia?

At what points are you allowed/not allowed with your child?

How long is the surgery?

ANYTHING that you can tell me (good, bad and ugly- so that I am prepared) is helpful!

TIA

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

TJ had his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was 3. I didn't go in the room with him when he was put out. DH did. he didn't want me to go because he thought it would upset me too much because sometimes their eyes roll back and they scream because they are scared. RJ is a little older so he may understand it more.

The surgery was a little over an hour. When TJ woke up from anesthesia with his tonsils he was crying ALOT. I'm not going to lie. They kept us in the recovery room for a few hours because they wanted to make sure he would swallow liquids. He would fall asleep and then wake up from the pain. They gave him a little morphine I think.

At home the first couple of day weren't horrible. He was drinking and eating soft foods. I kept giving him the Tylenol with codeine. Days 4-7 were the worst. He stopped eating and drinking completely. He was a little swollen. Cried a lot in his sleep. And wouldn't move off the couch. I would make him take a few sips of Gatorade. Ices are good but he refused everything.

I don't think he was back to eating normally for almost 2 weeks. He was just off. In the end it was the best thing I did. He sleeps better at night and he doesn't get those horrible throat infections anymore.

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

My DD (she's 2) just had her adenoid out and tubes put in her ears about 6 weeks ago. She still has her tonsils, so I'm not sure about that recovery - but I think everything leading up to it is the same.

Once they bring you into the prep area one parent was allowed in with her. She changed into a gown and they had DVD's for her to watch to keep her occupied. Then there was a consultation with the anesthesiologist where he asked about her weight, allergies and all that. I was able to go into the operating room with her and had to hold her while they gave her the face mask to go to sleep. Seeing that part was was upsetting - not gonna lie. After that I had to go back to the waiting area until we were notified that she was finished - about 20 minutes.

DH and I were both able to go back to the recovery room and when we got there she was just waking up. They put me in a big chair and put her on top of me. She was crying for a little bit and then just fell back to sleep and slept on top of me for another 1-1 1/2 hours until we were able to go home. They had morphine for her but she ended up not using it. She slept the whole way home and then for the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon afterwards. She got up around 5 and was running around like nothing happened and then went to bed at 8 and slept through the night. The next day she was a bundle of energy since she slept so much - but she didn't seem too bothered by the surgery. There was some drainage - but nothing too bad. Again - I can't comment on the recovery as it relates to the tonsils, but the adendoid wasn't so bad.

I have two friends who's DC's had the same thing done - and both of their kids had reactions to the anesthesia. One vomitted and the other needed Benadryl.

HTH - FM me if you want more info.

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

Brody just had them both out in February at 2 1/2 years old. I was a wreck, but he was fine. In just a few hours he was up and running around the hospital toy room.

He did have pain, but we gave him a pain killer every 4-6 hours for the first few days. It took about 2 full weeks until he was 100% himself.

The actual surgery only took about 20 minutes. The anticipation was waaaaaaay worse than the actual surgery.

He now sleeps all night with no snoring or sleep apnea.

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

Posted by 05mommy09

Thank you for the truth; it seems so intimidating to me; but the part about it being the best thing you ever did, the improvement in sleep and throat infection def. make me feel better!

Im thinking it might be best for DH to go in; although I know my son will want me to stay- not sure if Ill be able to walk away if he is upset

My son doesnt know about the surgery; Im not sure what/when we will tell him. I was thinking of just saying we were going to the Dr and he was going to make his throat better. At 5, I really dont think he'll get the concept of "surgery" and being put "asleep" and I dont want to scare him/upset him previously to going. What did you tell your child? Any suggestions on how I can approach this?

Im also concerened about the pain after; my child is VERY stubborn and doesnt handle his emotions well... If he is sad instead of crying he just gets like an animal with lots of rage. He doesnt want to be comforted, just lash out. Also, if his throat hurts and he doesnt want/is scared to drink- he just wont-period. So Im very concerned with dehydration.

I just want to fast forward this part of my life and for it all to be over!

What hospital was your child in?

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

I would without a doubt tell him he will be having surgery done. The doctor's office, or hospital should be able to give you a coloring book that explains what will happen. Good luck!

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

The anticipation of anesthesia is worse than the actual day of surgery. One main thing about when they 'wake up' in recovery is that they are really not fully awake. they are upset, distraught, tough to console because they are 'out of it'.

Another mom just FMed me as her 5 year old is about to go through the same surgery. I will post here exactly what I said to her: (I am not sure how much will apply to a 5 year old.)

-----------------------------------------------------

(At 3 years old DS was kept overnight at the hospital. Not sure about a 5 year old. The doctor kept saying 'at his age', so not sure when it changes.)

At 5 it should be easier. DS was 3 and stuck in his ways. There were just things that our son didn't eat before surgery that we tried to get him to do in the month before surgery, like jello. He really got into red jello. We never thought about the fact that he can't eat any red foods or juices after the surgery, because bleeding is the main risk.



So they gave him orange jello in the hospital. TANTRUM!

We had no idea he couldn't drink out of a straw cup because of the sucking. He even picked out a special straw cup to have in the hospital. Wasn't allowed it. TANTRUM!

He got used to his Tylenol being grape. Their Tylenol with codeine was red. TANTRUM! (And I still don't understand how he could have red medicine, but I digress.)

It was just little crap like that which made things difficult. Had we known about straws, we would've wiened him off of them before the surgery. SInce he didn't drink out of regular cups, he wouldn't drink. If he doesn't drink, then they don't release him. Plus, he goes on the IV. Who likes IVs?

FYI: Only pain meds and antibiotics given after the surgery are in liquid form that needs to be swallowed. Nothing in the IV! It is painful to even swallow your own spit, so telling a kid to swallow medicine is tough.

After a day or two, things seem a bit better. But then the pain really sets in around day 3-5. So keep up with pain meds in day 2 and 3, even if you think he is doing better. because it gets really bad. I was glad to get my tonsils out a few years ago, so I was ready for that with DS.

Again, our problems were with not knowing certain things for a 3 year old. I think with a 5 year old you shouldn't have such tantrums. Let me know if you have any other questions. Sometimes I don't get back on here to recheck stuff.

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

I do want to say that my son had it in hopes of correcting his sleep apnea. It has been over 4 months since the surgery and things are great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

I am so glad you posted this! I just scheduled my DD's surgery for mid May and I'm a friggin mess!!! From what I read the full tonsils and adenoids are a lot hardly to recoup from than shaving or just adenoids. Of course its our luck we need the whole thing done. I was the mom that FMed Waterspout because I'm using the same Dr. she did. We are having it done at St. Charles. I am not preparing my DD at all before the surgery. I'm telling her we are going to the Dr. so he can fix her throat. She has been so prodded and probed within the last few months that telling her she going into surgery will just give her anxiety. I KNOW in my heart that not telling her is the right way to handle it (for us). I fear that she won't take the meds after surgery because she fights us taking her antibiotics that we have to pin her down with our hands and feet! She even spits it back out that we've had to refill scripts. Ughhhhh btw you think you're bad, I checked my Dr. online for malpractice, reviews etc.

Message edited 4/21/2011 7:56:19 AM.

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

DD had her adenoids taken out and tubes put in. We got there and waited in the pediatric waiting room. There were games, videos, otehr kids. They did a quick check of DD and put her in clown pjs (Which DD still remembers a year later). Then we went down to the genreal waiting room adn I took DD to the OR while they did the anesthesia. I think they hooked her up to an IV_ and she cried when they did the shot, but a minute later she was out. Honestly, that was the worst part.

About 45 minutes later they were done. I found her in the recovery area and she was still out of it. That was the second worst part. She was groggy for a few hours and actually threw up for the first time. when we was awake we took her home.

It was pretty easy. The worst part was watching your child so out of it.

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

Posted by waterspout4



The anticipation of anesthesia is worse than the actual day of surgery. One main thing about when they 'wake up' in recovery is that they are really not fully awake. they are upset, distraught, tough to console because they are 'out of it'.

Another mom just FMed me as her 5 year old is about to go through the same surgery. I will post here exactly what I said to her: (I am not sure how much will apply to a 5 year old.)

-----------------------------------------------------

(At 3 years old DS was kept overnight at the hospital. Not sure about a 5 year old. The doctor kept saying 'at his age', so not sure when it changes.)

At 5 it should be easier. DS was 3 and stuck in his ways. There were just things that our son didn't eat before surgery that we tried to get him to do in the month before surgery, like jello. He really got into red jello. We never thought about the fact that he can't eat any red foods or juices after the surgery, because bleeding is the main risk.



So they gave him orange jello in the hospital. TANTRUM!

We had no idea he couldn't drink out of a straw cup because of the sucking. He even picked out a special straw cup to have in the hospital. Wasn't allowed it. TANTRUM!

He got used to his Tylenol being grape. Their Tylenol with codeine was red. TANTRUM! (And I still don't understand how he could have red medicine, but I digress.)

It was just little crap like that which made things difficult. Had we known about straws, we would've wiened him off of them before the surgery. SInce he didn't drink out of regular cups, he wouldn't drink. If he doesn't drink, then they don't release him. Plus, he goes on the IV. Who likes IVs?

FYI: Only pain meds and antibiotics given after the surgery are in liquid form that needs to be swallowed. Nothing in the IV! It is painful to even swallow your own spit, so telling a kid to swallow medicine is tough.

After a day or two, things seem a bit better. But then the pain really sets in around day 3-5. So keep up with pain meds in day 2 and 3, even if you think he is doing better. because it gets really bad. I was glad to get my tonsils out a few years ago, so I was ready for that with DS.

Again, our problems were with not knowing certain things for a 3 year old. I think with a 5 year old you shouldn't have such tantrums. Let me know if you have any other questions. Sometimes I don't get back on here to recheck stuff.

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

DD was 4. I had DH bring her into the room, only one parent is allowed and I decided he would be better at that. I didn't want her to see me upset. He said it fairly easy, she counted to 5 and she was out. DH said she started shaking while she was going out which made him a little nervous, but it was normal. We sat in the waiting room, she was done in about 30 minutes, I went back to recovery. I am going to be honest, recovery for her was bad. She was screaming, crying, fighting me, trying to pull her IV out, and vomiting. All normal and they Sid warn me she may be this way, but I didn't expect it. My friends DS went through the same thing, and his recovery was nothing like hers. We stayed in recovery for over an blur because she wouldn't calm. Once she drank something they let us leave. While walking to the car she started vomitting again.

The first two days at home were pretty rough for her, just keep giving the medication. We didn't want to wake her through one dose on e cause she finally fell asleep, and the poor baby woke up screaming bloody murder that night. So wake him for his dose. Once the second day passed, it would get better and better each day. Good luck, you will get through it nd if you have any questions feel free to FM

Re: If your child had their tonsils and adenoids removed? RE-POST -from school age

DD also had them removed for sleep and there was an immediate change after the surgery.