Please help me be prepared for DDs tonsillectomy

[ohnoohnoo]

DD is finally getting her tonsils and adenoids taken out next week (anyone who has followed the previous thread will see how desperately needed this is!). Now that it's so close I'm starting to panic, I hate the thought of her going under anaesthetic, even though I know it's the best thing for her after the last 9 months.
I'm just trying to think of the practical things that we will need. We have been told she will be kept in overnight so I know I need pjs etc but a few questions I have for anyone who's little one has had it done:

How did you deal with them not eating before? Dds operation is in the afternoon and she can't eat after 7am, she's only 5 so she won't understand this, is there anything you've found to make this easier?

What will she be able to eat afterwards? I've read conflicting advice, some say soups etc and some say she should be eating hard foods to stop scabbing.

After previous admissions for quinsy she's terrified of cannulas, they've said we will have the option of a cannula or a mask for the anaesthetic, however I'm worried that a mask being held on her face may be more scary and it apparently takes longer. Does anyone have experience and which would you recommend?

Thank you!

Both dc had theirs out at that age. Youngest ds had some issues coming round from the anaesthetic but I was with both of them in the recovery room and the staff were so kind both times. Lots of favourite treats afterwards including ice cream. Prepare as much as much as you can, stay calm and she will be fine. What I would say that for both my dc having this done was life changing and the regular illness stopped, was not off school, ate better, slept better and began to thrive.

I can't answer all of your questions, but from personal experience:
She won't be able to avoid the cannula, depending on the hospital they may be able to put it in when she is asleep and put her under with gas and air.
Make sure she is given anti sickness before waking. My son was violently sick (first time under anaesthetic so we didn't know) and after a mouth operation it was like a massacre which petrified him.
Thick chocolate milk (the fresh supermarket own stuff) is very soothing afterwards and coats the throat. Just let her eat what she feels up to.
Lots of liquid pain relief. The consultant will advise what is safe dosage wise and how to maximise the relief, especially at night.
Keep your eyes peeled for any signs of infection as the rate is high for this.

I think you'll be buoyed up by the thought that her pain and persistent illness will be gone.
My daughter had hers removed at a similar age and we had a lot of delays getting to theatre so that was a bit of a problem.Maybe anticipate that as you're low in the pecking order in comparison with emergencies.
The staff were fairly harsh re getting her to read. This is understandable apparently but she actually wasn't allowed to leave until she ate 2 meals.Best of luck and what a relief this must be for you.

I had my tonsils out at 5 and I can barely remember it. My mum didn't make a big deal of it, as it was commonplace when she was a kid as well. I'd had tonsillitis a couple of times and I was probably the last of the generation where they just whipped them out after being poorly a couple of times (I'm 47 now).

I had my tonsils and adenoids out and grommets in when I was 6. All I can remember of hospital is lots of jelly and ice-cream which I loved - ice-cream usually a once a week treat - and the best water gun on my bed when going back to the ward.

My parents prepared me really well; carefully but honestly made me understand what would happen and that I would be sore after. But this would make me better and I would stop missing out on things, like my friend's birthday the weekend before as I had a bad infection (yet again).

It's funny how much you can remember thinking back!

Mine had hers out about that age. I don’t remember her being particularly hungry before hand. She was a bit freaked by the ride round to surgery but I was calm and that helped. She was cannulated and went out like a light but was very distressed and disoriented when she woke. Screamed, kicked, yelled for mummy even though o was holding her. Only lasted 10 mins or so.
She could (and did) eat absolutely fine when she woke up but it was the next day the pain started to hit. That first week was a bit of a struggle but she did her best. We took her to Haven for week 2 and that took her mind off it and she forgot to worry about the pain.

Shes nearly 12 now and it was the best thing that could have been done for her!

I had mine out when I was six in 1973 😬

I went in late on Monday, op was Tuesday, was out Wednesday morning. I had dinner after my op and ate it all, no problem. The ice cream myth was just that: a myth. I didn't get any 😥

However I did get a new Enid Blyton book (who remembers Amelia Jane the naughty doll?), a new pencil case and some Trumpton toothpaste (younger people may need to ask their parents. Or Google 😂). Amazing what childhood memories come flooding back.

Your DD will be absolutely fine. Get her a few bits – I heartily recommend Trumpton toothpaste – and she'll think it's just a big adventure.

Lots of love 😘

I found for my son when he had his out using throat spray to numb back of his throat before eating and drinking helped. I also used the bendy straws to bypass most of his mouth to help with swallowing. Used the star upside down though to get it further back. We were told hard scratchy food. Days 3 to 7 he lived of liquids like soup or icecream.

Just posting here as I was looking through these boards a few weeks ago in advance of my DS's surgery (adenoid and tonsil removal). He is 3. He had the coblation surgery, which can minimise risk of bleeding and speed up recovery.

His admission was at 745AM, so he fasted from the night before, water until 730AM. He was taken up to theatre around 930, so we played and coloured and sang until then.

I sat him on my knee while he was put to sleep (mask) and sang in his ear. He stayed completely calm. I was able to be with him in the recovery ward when he woke up. A few minutes later he became quite upset and the nurse recommended trying to get him back to sleep, which he did quickly. He then slept another 90 minutes, and woke up ready for his tuna sandwich which he favoured over ice cream! He ate a muffin, some watermelon, apple, crisps and yoghurt pouches as well.

We were discharged and home in time for a big bowl of pesto pasta and a water fight with big brother.

We kept on top of pain killers, alternating Nurofen and Calpol. We also kept on top of offering drinks and food so that his throat didn't dry out and the scabs came off more easily. He loved pesto pasta, Frubes, and crisps. Wasn't that interested in ice lollies or ice cream, but did offer regularly. He ate most of us his usual meals as well, maybe being a little more picky than normal for the first few days.

He woke once per night for the first few, and seemed to be in the most pain then, but cuddles and meds sorted him out. From night 5 he slept through again.

On day 4 (counting surgery as day 0), he had a hard few minutes, running around holding his mouth and asking for medicine when he wasn't due any. I gave him some pizza a few minutes later, which he GULPED down, and when I looked into his throat later, I noticed a lot of scabbing had come off. This happened a few times over the next few days - short bursts of pain followed by really clear progress in terms of his healing.

By day 8, we were reducing meds and by day 12 he wasn't taking anything. It's now day 15 and you'd never know anything had happened, bar the fact that:

his sleep apnea (which was severe) is now completely done - he slept silently and deeply from the first night post-op!

he is currently having a growth spurt and eating us out of house and home!

Totally worth it, and the recovery was easier than I had anticipated. Hope whoever is reading this experiences the same.