Tonsillectomy for toddler

We took my 2.5 year old DS to the ped yesterday. He referred us to Dr. Youngerman in Plainview for a possible tonsillectomy due to heavy breathing and snoring at night.
From what I understand, we may have to be referred to an exclusively pediatric ENT since my son is so young and will need to stay over night at the hospital.
Please share any experiences with this surgery. Believe it or not, my biggest upset is about sending my little guy back into surgery all alone and not knowing what the heck is going on.
Also, does anyone know if a sleep study is 100% necessary for a tonsillectomy for sleep apnea?

TIA!

Tonsillectomy for toddler

My son had his tonsils and adenoids out when he was 2.5 (he's 8 now). He was a mouth breather and there were times that sounded like sleep apnea to me when I slept in the same room. We never had him officially tested for sleep apnea, but the ENT said that he had large tonsils and recommended the removal. I figured it was better when he was young instead of having issues once he got older and recovery was worse.

I felt awful, but we sprung it on him. He had no idea what was going on. We brought him to the hospital and I gave him a new toy so he was distracted. They gave him a drink that made him loopy before taking him back to the surgery. When he woke up I felt like the worst mom for springing it on him b/c he had no idea what was going on. But now I'm glad that we did it and never have to worry about it being an issue.

He's still a mouth breather b/c his nose is runny a lot (probably b/c of seasonal and dust mite allergies) but he doesn't even remember that it happened.

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

Talk to a pediatric ENT before you start worrying. They will do more testing to determine if surgery is needed. I have a friend whose son had his tonsils taken out at 3yo. The first few days were rough, but he was fine after that.

FWIW, DD had tubes put into her ears at 1.5 yo. I was terrified of her going into surgery, too, but it really wasn't bad. They let me take her into the OR and stay with her until she was under. She wouldn't lie on the table, so I held her in my arms as they put the mask on her face. She was hysterical so I started singing her favorite song (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star). Everyone in the room joined in, doctors, nurses, anesthesiologist. I was quite moved. Obviously I couldn't stay with her for the surgery, but I knew they would take care of my baby girl. As soon as it was over, I went back to her in recovery.

If you want to consider going straight to a pediatric ENT, I'd recommend Dr. Mendelsohn in Garden City.

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

I have zero advice about this in the sense of experience with a child needing this, doing it vs not doing it. I just wanted to say that my DH's mom never did it because she was too afraid. He suffered his whole life with strep, snoring and other issues. When he gets sick, his tonsils swell so bad he has trouble breathing. She now regrets not doing it because the recovery as an adult is really bad. I am trying to get him to get it done, even though it will suck, he'll be better off in the long run.

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

Yes, we wouldn't even think twice about it. I had mine out at 7 and don't remember anything about it. My mom and sister both had it done later in life. They both suffered with throat issues and had an AWFUL recovery when they finally had the procedure.

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by NYCGirl80

Talk to a pediatric ENT before you start worrying. They will do more testing to determine if surgery is needed. I have a friend whose son had his tonsils taken out at 3yo. The first few days were rough, but he was fine after that.

FWIW, DD had tubes put into her ears at 1.5 yo. I was terrified of her going into surgery, too, but it really wasn't bad. They let me take her into the OR and stay with her until she was under. She wouldn't lie on the table, so I held her in my arms as they put the mask on her face. She was hysterical so I started singing her favorite song (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star). Everyone in the room joined in, doctors, nurses, anesthesiologist. I was quite moved. Obviously I couldn't stay with her for the surgery, but I knew they would take care of my baby girl. As soon as it was over, I went back to her in recovery.

If you want to consider going straight to a pediatric ENT, I'd recommend Dr. Mendelsohn in Garden City.

OMG reading about your experience made me tear up! How amazing. (I"m such a sap since becoming a mom, I cry at literally every thing involving a child! )
But yes, the doctors and nurses have dealt with this so many times and I am sure they are all excellent with children and will care for them like their own.
Also, don't panic until you get that second opinion. Maybe surgery isn't even needed.
But if it is, just know you are doing the right thing for your baby and he wont' even remmber this years from now.
Having them out as an adult is horrific, so if he needs them out, now is probably the best time.
Good luck!

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

Tonsillectomy for toddler

I would wait and see what the ENT says but definitely get a second opinion before proceeding.

I am one of the most pro-intervention, pro-doctor people on the planet. I would not put my DD under anesthesia unless it was something that the benefit VASTLY outweighed the risk.

We also saw Mendelssohn and I feel like he should have been on my list of things everyone loves but I hate. I couldn’t stand the guy.

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

my DD had the same problem and we did have the removed but she was older. I have to say she did great. She understood going in what was going to happen. They had me suit up and go back there with her until they put her out and they also had me in recovery and told me to lay in the bed with her so when she came to I was right there with her, The first couple of nights were rough, but she did great. No more snoring an apnea. I was a nervous crazy momma going into it but know it was better for her to get it done then to wait

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

DS2 has his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was 2.5. He had mono at 2 and his tonsils were still huge from that. He had always been a heavy breather as well and likely had apnea. The first week after the surgery was rough, but it was absolutely worth it. He slept so much better and wasn’t a heavy breather anymore. He also used to get a fever and ear infection most times when he had a cold because the tonsils/adenoids caused an issue with the fluid being able to be drained. After the surgery, he didn’t have another ear infection for at least 18 months and has only had a few of them in the 3 years since his surgery.

Re: Tonsillectomy for toddler

My daughter had her tonsils and adenoids out at 2.5. She had to stay overnight just so they could monitor the reaction to anesthesia ( under age 3 they do this). The recovery was rough, 2 weeks :(

Tonsillectomy for toddler

Yeah my DS’ recovery was rough, too (almost 2 weeks). The key is to stay ahead of the pain by alternating meds bc once they feel the pain kick in, its rough.

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She did sleep very little, oddly as smaller child. You could hear her through the whole house - either breathing or snoring. It is so much better since she had the surgery.