adenotonsillectomy experiences

[asante]

My dd had this procedure on Friday. The surgeon said her tonsils were moderately big, but that her adenoids were massive. For the last six months she has not had a single good night's sleep - sleeps for 11/12 hours but gets up looking shattered, very restless sleep, snoring, gasping and consequently her behaviour has plummetted.

Since she came home her breathing is much improved and she sleeps in the same position all night. However, she is still getting up in the morning looking terrible, very dark circles around her eyes. Is this normal, or should there be an immediate improvement? I'm really at the end of my tether with this and worried that after all the worry of the operation it's not going to make her sleep any better.

dd2 had this done aged 25 months, and the snoring and gasping stopped immediately. She looked, however, like a starving spider with massive black bags under her eyes for another few weeks till the pain and painkillers stopped, and the exhaustion from anaesthesia....then she leaped from strength to strength and is now a solidly sleeping just-5 year old

It does take a while, the recovery process takes about three weeks alone.....never mind post-op tiredness (which can go on a little longer)....plus bad sleeping becomes a habit I think, so give it time...so glad her breathing is better!

Thankyou so much for the reassurance. I love the 'starving spider with black bags' description!! Because, yes, they really do look bloody terrible, don't they?! Will be more patient from now on.

Patience is never my strong point

I remember that post-op time very well: honestly, you will look back in a few weeks or months and realize how not-herself she was now, and how much, much better she is now, and how glad you are that you were a wonderful brave Mummy and had her op done. Hope the rest of her recovery is smooth!