Tonsils coming out...

[pugh]

DD3 is having her tonsils out soon. Any advice? I have bought some books re going to hospital.

I am worried abut the pain once we get home & how I will get her to eat anything to avoid getting an infection.

Any advice Appreciated!

Thanks!

[girliefriend]

Hello how old is your dd? My dd had her tonsills and adenoids out when she was nearly 5yo.

My advice is be well stocked up on pain killers, my dd isn't the bravest soul bless her and was in a lot of pain afterwards and for a good week post op.

Get lots of 'soft' foods that your dd will like, for example skips, marshmellows, yogurt, ice cream. The consultant said afterwards make sure she eats - let her eat anything she wants to!!!! It helps prevent infection.

I bought my dd a 'hospital' present, she got one of those kiddicamera things which worked out great as kept her occupied pre and post op.

Dd stayed in overnight - not a comfortable night for either of us!!!

Dd had to keep a cannula in overnight and went ballistic when they came to take it out maybe without scaring your dd warn her about the possibility of having a needle in her hand.

My dd took nearly 2 weeks to get back to what I would say was normal, she was very low for quite a few days post op and I wasn't really prepared for that. In hindsight I wish I had been more patient with her as she was clearly slightly traumatised by the whole experience We were advised to keep her off school for at least 2 weeks due to risk of infection.

Hope I am not scaring you but wish I had been more prepared iyswim?!!

Good luck

[pugh]

She is 3. I gave told her about a needle in her hand&it would be a coloured button.

She is a good eater but doesn't have a sweet tooth-refuses icecream as its too cold! Maybe jelly would be ok.

Between my husband & I we have taken time off for the two weeks afterwards-I didn't appreciate that!!

I've got her a bear factory teddy but good suggestion re a toy of sorts.

[pugh]

Ps when you say 'she was low' what do you mean? I'm preparing for a 24/7 scream&tantrum feast.

[hattifattner]

DS2 was 8 when he had his out. He did not eat for days, and we were very worried. We had him drink iced drinks through a straw, ice lollies, yoghurts, smoothies,

He did end up with an infection, but after 2 weeks he was able to eat normally again.

[pugh]

Thanks ! What happened when he got infection? Did you stay in the house all the time?

[girliefriend]

By low I mean depressed, not screaming or tantruming just it wasn't nice to see but it only lasted a few days and she was back to normal after a couple of weeks

[ihearttc]

My little boy is 22 months and he had his tonsils/adenoids out 3 weeks ago.

He was eating and drinking about an hour after coming round...they encouraged him to eat almost immediately and actually said to try and avoid any soft food as it doesn't do any good at all apparently the harder the food the quicker it heals-he was eating hula hoops and bread sticks and then had dry toast for breakfast in the morning(they did offer him cereal but he wanted toast strange child!).

I have a 7 year old as well and he had it done when he was nearly 3 so was a bit more prepared this time. The first night was better than I expected-they gave him some oramorph which helped him sleep (I on the other hand didn't sleep at all!) and we got sent home at about 10.30 the following morning. They said to basically give pain relief round the clock whether they need it or not so that it never really gets too painful. The only bit I wasn't prepared for was that he was really dribbly for a few days afterwards (can't remember my older son being like that)...they produce more saliva as it's healing and it was literally pouring out of him which wasn't nice but it stopped after a few days.

He got an infection as well but he still puts everything in his mouth and has an older brother who brings colds etc back from school so it was expecting that-had some AB's and was fine within a few days.

3 weeks on and the difference in him is amazing. He had severe glue ear and lots of breathing issues/no speech but he has started talking which is lovely to hear and is eating so much better and has grown about 2 cm after not getting any taller for the last 8 months. It might be a coincidence but I think he was using all his energy into just keeping going that there was nothing left for anything else!

[Catsdontcare]

I was told to avoid ice cream/chocolate/yoghurt type stuff as it coats the throat. I was advised to eat crisps and toast as it scrapes away all the crap and helps avoid infection, also stops the scabs forming too thickly apparently.

[puffylovett]

Ds1 had tonsils and adenoids out earlier this year. We had to force Fred him pain relief (never been good with meds!) for 36 hours, then I just gave up! He was eating normally and bouncing around the living room within a day or two, despite all efforts to keep him quiet :)
He's grown loads, eats better, sleeps well. Although we've had to ask for a referral back to ENT as the nasal discharge and blocked nose had started up again ;( he's 5.
Agree re a special new toy for coming round from anaesthetic. I'd also take an iPad if u have one - next bed over had one and it was a godsend. Wish we could afford one!
Phone charger for u (I ran out lol), plenty of food for you and fluids for both.
Also worth mentioning to the hospital reception that you're in all day - I got free parking (normally charged).

[Elibean]

Pain relief round the clock (I used to set my alarm, but dd - then 26 months - used to start moaning in her sleep anyway, and I slept with her for the first few days) is a must. Even if it seems un-needed, just do it

Re eating, dd refused to eat pretty much anything most of the time - then would eat a few crisps, and suck ice lollies (wouldn't drink much, so they were a godsend) and she lost weight to the point of looking like an anorexic spider, then started to heal and put it all back on and then some! Honestly, not eating doesn't matter that much - its great if they will eat a few crisps (and surprisingly, most will) or some toast, for the healing process, but don't worry about it too much. Drinking is more important, and taking meds: main tip - if she refuses her Calpol etc, as my dd did, because it hurt to swallow, you can ask for suppositories. We were given paracetamol supps, and anti-inflammatory supps, and the GP gave us more when we ran out. They were a godsend, and I managed to insert them at night without waking dd up a few times too - so she slept through.

Good luck, and don't forget to take a change of tops (light ones, 'cos its hot in hospital) for yourself as well as dd - just in case she sicks up on you after the anaesthetic!