Child tonsillectomy and 2 hrs travel same day ?

[Totum]

I’ve got to take DD (7) for a tonsillectomy 2 hrs away from our house. They won’t keep her in overnight after, so I’ll potentially be driving (alone) for 2 hrs with a young child on the same day. I’ve no experience of what she may feel like after, but is this a stupid idea? Only other option is to stay in a hotel that night and travel home the next day. I can’t work out if it’s better to get her home whilst she’s pumped full of hospital painkillers to her own bed, or if it’s going to be an awful journey. Does anyone have any experience of what she may be like and any opinion on what is the best option?

I wasn't allowed to travel alone home with my DD after her tonsillectomy, had to get a taxi home 1.5 hours (I don't drive so was an option anyway but the surgeon made it clear that its not allowed because an adult needs to be able to respond immediately if there's an issue which you can't if driving)

She wasn't too bad during the journey (several hours after the surgery as had to wait and be observed for some time first) but the next day was in more pain so on that basis I wouldn't recommend waiting to the next day but you should try and get another adult to be in the car with you, would a friend help you out?

I can't imagine it's an issue? I've never worked in paeds but am a surgical nurse and I wouldn't even ask how long the journey home was when someone came to collect a patient. I was in a city hospital and traffic could mean a 2 hours journey to the other side of the city!! Preferably comfy in a car than on a train! I'd definitely have her in the front seat though. Once she goes to bed, you aren't going to be watching over her I would assume? So surely the same thing as being in the car.

Why aren't they keeping you in? DD had hers at Xmas and because we were over 15 minutes away they made her stay over night?

That's being said, I really wouldn't worry about the drive. She'll be worse the day after than the day of.

If they aren't willing to keep her overnight and there isn't the option to have the procedure done locally I don't know what else they expect you to do.

That's odd that they aren't keeping her in? I would have thought they'd need to monitor for x amount of time after GA, assess for signs of bleeding, swelling, reaction to anaesthetic etc...

Thanks, I’ll aim to drive the same day with her in a high backed booster so she can sleep. I’m trying to see if there’s a friend available, those I’ve tried so far have plans. I did expect her to be kept in, but the consultant said she wouldn’t be and that driving 2 hrs home after wouldn’t be an issue. I think her op is expected to be first thing and she’ll be discharged in the afternoon. I did suspect the day after may be worse but just remember feeling sick after a car journey when I last had an anaesthetic and just don’t know enough to weigh up the options.

My dd had her tonsils out at age 7. They didn't keep her in over night. She was awake and lively at lunchtime. Seemed fine. Then about 2pm started throwing up and felt awful. Slept from about 6pm. She also was in more pain as it healed over the few days. I think you could drive but would need another adult to focus on her. Hope it goes well.

I had my tonsils out as an adult and after I was cleared to leave (possibly 8 hours after the op), I was fine, ate a bit in the evening, went to bed. It was the next day after the painkillers had wore off I felt rough. But apparently its also far easier to have them out as child.

I'd do it, seems likely that they will fall asleep in the car too.

Age 7 my daughter had her tonsils out,adenoids out and grommets in.
She was fine when they discharged her x
The next day she was eating lamb chops and complaining she couldn't go to school for a week 🤣

Could you book a Travelodge or similar nearby and stay the night after? You'll have the reassurance of being near to the hospital should you need them (it's highly likely you won't), it will give you that reassurance and she won't have a long journey the same day.

DD had hers out a few weeks ago, although she’ll probably be a bit sore and tired the drive shouldn’t be an issue. Make sure the hospital time her painkillers so that she’s well topped up before you leave and have cold drinks/ice pops on hand for the journey to soothe her throat.

The thing that would worry me though is being so far away from the hospital - do you have an A&E near you with 24/7 ENT cover? Bleeding is always a risk with tonsillectomy and can happen all the way up to 2 weeks post op. Official advice is to stay within 40 mins of a major hospital. DD had a (thankfully minor) bleed the day after surgery resulting in a midnight trip to A&E, they took it all very seriously and re-admitted her so it can and does happen I’m afraid.

thabk you @clipclop5 I’ll check. And for the tip re the painkillers.

Im going to make sure at home I’ve plenty of ice pops, painkillers and comfort food for her recovery.

if I can get a friend I will. I think I just needed opinions if i’m being crazy coming back alone that day, but it sounds as if the day after is worse. If I’m not happyand I don’t feel confident I can book a premier inn or travel lodge.