To want dd to have an operation for 'vanity' reasons.

[MsBrown]

My daughter has cryptic tonsils. This means she suffers terrible from tonsil stones or tonsilloths. They can range from the size of a bit of sweetcorn, to a big wad of chewed gum. And they stink. Really stink. They're basically calcified bacteria, saliva and mucus. (Sorry if you're having your tea!)

Whenever she has a huge one in her tonsil (which is at least once a month), she goes off food for a few days due to the rotten taste in her mouth. And she also says it's uncomfortable as she can feel it. This carries on until it eventually falls out. I've tried on one occassion to nudge it out with a cotton bud. It worked, but dd didn't like it, so i'll not be doing it again.

The smaller stones are almost a daily occurence.

The doctor has been frank. The only way to get rid of the tonsil stones is to get rid of the tonsils. He's assured me that the crypts in her tonsils will reduce by the time she's an adult, but they'll always be unaturally large thus she'll always have tonsil stones.

He said he'd refer me to an ENT specialist, but dd is unlikely to be a canditate
for the operation just because she has 'bad breath'. She's never had tonsilitis and only gets a throat infection once a year. The GP said i should consider if
i want to subject my child to the risks of an operation just for 'vanity reasons.'

DD is 5 so i think now is a good age, if ever she was going to get her tonsils out. I'm also worried that as she gets older, children will begin to pick on her for having bad breath. And i'm not exaggerating the smell. When she has a giant tonsil stone, even the doctor agreed it makes her have halitosis.

However, when i voiced my fears, he said that all children get bullied for a variety of reasons at school. If it's not bad breath, it's colour of hair, skin, clothes etc.

He seemed really reluctant to give me the referral tbh. And i've come home feeling like a terrible mum. Am i being unreasonable to want her to have this operation?

I would do it. I have always had niggly tonsils and over the last few months I have started getting tiny tonsil stones in one of the craters. They are only the size of a pinhead and they don't make my breath smell, but they drive me absolutely insane until I can get rid of them. Its like having something permanently stuck in the back of your throat.

YANBU

Defintiely do it. having tonsils out as an adult is a bigger deal than as a kid too.

First of all THANKS OP for teaching me that this is an actual medical condition! I've been getting these for years, along with terrible sore throats, bad breath, nasty rank coughing fits when they get big enough to provoke a gag reflex and I never knew it could actually be fixed, I thought it happened to everyone!

He is little and it's the best time to have his tonsils out, don't leave it until he's an adult and has to take time off work/school and suffer through it. Honestly the monthly sore throats alone are reason enough. Can you see a different GP?

Absolutely. Had a cyst on my tonsil, never tonsillitis just low grade sore throat. Feel soo much better now they've gone

I don't think it would be for vanity reasons. Nobody can see your tonsils! I definitely would go for it. Your poor DD. Sounds miserable for her. On the other hand I read that tonsils can prevent throat infection so look into it carefully first with a specialist. But that's the only thing that would stop me.

Defo do it. I suffer from this and wish I'd had it done as a kid as they won't touch them now I'm an adult.

I use sterile long swabs to hook them out and a long syringe with saline to flush out at least once a week, lots of gargling too. I had my wisdom teeth out earlier this year and it helps keep tge tonsils clearer.

It is horrible and vile and if they don't cone out I come down with viruses and as I've got older I have got tonsilitus.

It has been on embarrasing bodies and tge young lady (late teens) had laser day surgery and they blasted away the tonsils so quick and easy. You might be able to find it on you tube.

It sounds to me like she needs an operation, and not just for vanity reasons.

YADNBU - and your GP sounds like an arse.

I cannot get my head around anyone suggesting this could be related to 'vanity'. My throat is always my weak spot when stressed - I get apthous ulcers about 1cm across when I'm run down and they're excruciating but only a couple of times a year. Your poor DD having to deal with it regularly.

I think it's worth kicking up when you get to ENT. Last year I had to get my DD checked out for something and felt, for reasons too long-winded to go into, that an MRI scan would be worthwhile. I thought I would have to walk over hot coals to get one, but when I explained my reasoning to the consultant he was great. He explained that our hospital is a bit reluctant to do them, but actually exaggerated DD's symptoms on his referral form and she was scanned within a few weeks and given the all clear.

FWIW, I've just had a quick look at our local BMI hospital and you can have a tonsillectomy done privately for £2,500.

I don't know if that might be something you could/would consider, if you do hit a brick wall with it.

I've had these from time to time over the years, but no where near as bad as how you have described your daughters. This defiantly does not sound like a 'vanity' reason. I would push for it.

I used to get these, and they weren't much fun. Gargling with Corsodyl was really helpful, but you need to check with your doctor before using with children (and it stings so she may not tolerate it). Hope ENT are more helpful than your GP.

I used to get tonsil stones and the problem actually increased in adulthood. I never used to get tonsillitis as a child but then in my thirties I started to get it frequently and ended up in hospital with an abscess. The consultant decided I should have them out and it was the best thing that I could have ever done. I am more happy about the absence of tonsil stones than of getting rid of the tonsillitis.

I will say though that it is an awfull op to have as an adult o if the opportunity is there to have in done as a child then I would take it.

Sounds like a penny pinching gp, see another one if you can, and insist on seeing an ent surgeon, to get their opinion.

Hi again.

She's a little too young for the gargling tbh. Can't get the gist of it. But it's something we can try again as she gets older.

I've decided to go to the ENT appointment and discuss the pros and cons with him/her, who will hopefully professionally assure me it's not a vanity procedure.

Going private sounds really expensive, but definitely something i'll look into if this ENT appt doesn't go well.

Thanks everyone. Glad i'm not being unreasonable.

Hi Mrs Brown.

I know other people have said this but I want to echo you should do this if your Dr advises. It's not a vanity thing at all.

I get tonsil stones from time to time but nothing like your DD. It's horrible.

Chandon, he is 8 and half. I'm hoping that's the end of the tonsilloths, he's not had one for about 6 months now, but only time will tell I guess. That said, I still reckon those huge tonsils will give him problems, so I'd still like him to have them out now really. They left my massive scarred tonsils in until I was 14 and by that point I had a constant sore throat. I never had tonsilloths tho (thank god) and would definitely push to have ds tonsils out asap if it got really bad again.

Keep us updated Op.
And Good Luck.

Don't be put off by the GP saying they won't do it. I had mine removed as an adult. I had to push for the referral because my GP was adamant they wouldn't get removed. Saw the ENT specialist who said straight away that they needed to come out.

I would do it. my Ds had his out (privately) age 2 due to severe recurrent tonsilitis and has been so much happier since. Bounced back from the op within days too.

I had tonsilitis four times a year, every year from being 12 and the infection ate away at my tonsils and left craters in them, and so I ended up with tonsil stones.

I was 19 and getting very ill for two weeks (couldn't move ill) with tonsilitis every three months - and they FINALLY agreed to take the bloody things out.

There are risks to any surgery, and tonsillectomy isn't as simple as many people think, it's also not without complications so I can appreciate why your GP may not be wanting to put your daughter through surgery if she's not becoming very ill with it.

That aside, he also needs to consider her emotional wellbeing, so I can appreciate why you would want to consider surgery.

One thing to be aware of - they can't always get all the tonsil tissue out. I have some remaining in my throat. Just a small bit on the right, but it's enough to give me tonsilitis - and I get occasional tonsil stones. So surgery may not clear the problem completely anyway.

I can usually feel when one is forming, and I get it out with a cotton bud. I also gargle with salt water every few days and mouthwash every evening which seems to help prevent them forming. It might be worth asking about non-surgical options such as mouthwash, and also speak to a dentist regarding reducing plaque so there is less of it around to form stones.

I think your doctor is being very unfair as it is not all vanity is it, it must be horribly uncomfortable - insist he refers your dd x

I'd do it.

My dd had a gap in her eyelid closed, mainly for 'vanity' reasons. My ds will also have a cosmetic op to correct a squint. I see nothing wrong with this. But your dd's surgery is more than merely vanity. There is no question I would do it.

God, yes. I wouldn't class that as cosmetic or for reasons of vanity. It sounds utterly miserable for her. It's surprised at the doc sounding so wishy washy -I'd insist on the referral.

Having tonsils out is a lot simpler than it was in the past. The tonsils are cut out with a laser which dramatically reduces the risk of blood loss. The operation is day surgery.

I had my tonsils out at 6 years old, 30 years ago and it was quite a simple op at that age.