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Tonsil reduction surgery, anyone with experience?

2 replies

Natsku · 07/04/2026 16:03

DS has oversized tonsils which cause snoring which makes him tired all the time. The ENT decided that surgery is the best idea now but said he doesn't need tonsillectomy as he doesn't have any issues with tonsillitis, so just reducing the size is enough to help with his symptoms, and said this surgery is less painful and has less risk of complications but I'm wondering how much less painful it is. DD had her tonsils out a few years ago and she was in so much pain, needed round the clock painkillers and soft cold foods for over a week so if its likely to be any way similar to that I'll need to ask for more time off work (and a lot more ice cream!). Has anyone's child had this surgery? Or anyone had it themselves? I only know people who've had the full surgery.

He was on the waiting list expected to get a surgery date in the summer but the hospital called today and offered us a surgery slot tomorrow as there had been a cancellation so I'm panicking a bit now with no time to plan (plus general worries about surgery and GA when its all so sudden)

OP posts:
HoppingPavlova · 08/04/2026 00:50

Your DD’s experience is not necessarily representative. I had a few who had tonsils out, all were fine the next day, the biggest struggle was trying to keep them quiet and not running around like little maniacs as they usually did. They just had soft food for a few days and pre-emotive pain relief that stopped after a few days when it was obvious they were not in pain. So, some kids will suffer more with it, and some less, it’s very individual.

As for GA’s, unless they have relevant underlying health conditions, they will be absolutely fine. A typical child (or adult) really presents so very little risk with GA’s.

Natsku · 08/04/2026 04:19

DS does not cope well with pain generally (a skinned knee is the end of the world for him and he will demand walking sticks) but he recovers really quickly from illness so I'm hoping he's similar with surgery.
I know logically GAs are usually fine its just DD once had a complication with one, her airway closed up, and it was really scary though she was absolutely fine in the end, so I have an illogical fear - I know DS is not DD and there's absolutely no reason why he will have any issues but they did ask on the form if anyone in the family has had a bad reaction to GA so they assume an increased risk? Or maybe its just so they know to give me extra reassurance when we're there?

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