Tonsillectomy risks

[Nannyplum2015]

I'm just after some facts and also opinions on the tonsillectomy procedure. My dd is 6 and has recurrent tonsillitis and meets the criteria to have them removed. She also snores loudly at night and teeth grinds/chews whilst sleeping. She used to be a terrible sleeper until the age of 3. Minimum 4/5 waking a a night sometimes could be every 20 mins some periods of the night!

Now when she gets tonsillitis she also always get vomitting and has a week and sometimes 7 days of school due to the vomitting and high fever. As a result her school attendance isn't great.

I've been to the doctors twice now and they seem really negative about the procedure, mentioning risks of severe bleeding and death. This time I've still said I want the referral and they look at me like I'm mad! All the info online says the risks are minimal. I'm not sure what to think really.

I was like your dd and eventually had my tonsils out at 11. In my honest opinion I wish I'd never had it done. My jaw was cracked during surgery, I ended up in hospital for over a week and I still suffered continually with sore throats all through my teenage years. So no for me it wasn't worth it and I wouldn't want my child to have it done.
I know though of people for whom it was straight forward. But that was my experience.
I hope whatever you decide your dd feels better soon.

My daughter got her tonsils out 18 months ago, just before she turned six. She suffered terribly from repeated tonsillitis, poor sleeper, so very tired, desperate bad form after a week of school, extra school activities, parties etc really took it out of her and as a result all of us . You have to weigh all the risk and positives that may occur with any surgery. To be very honest, there's not a single minute that I regret going ahead with it. She's like a different child now.

i had it done at 10. had been getting tonsillitis every month - generally off for a week each time, as I'd need more than one course of abs to clear it.

after I had it done, I didn't have another day off school until my GCSE year.

NB immediately after my GCSEs I did have to have another op to deal with tonsil regrowth - so effectively I had them out a second time. Rubbish surgeon first time.

My Ds had his out last year.
It's not a nice op...what op is?
But they are trying to save money, and are not doing what is best for your dd.
(He hasn't had tonsilitis since)
He had his adenoids done too.

Another thing is she's always tired at school despite sleeping 11 hours and the teacher says she is constantly daydreaming and she doesn't take in what she has says. Luckily she's very bright so is not struggling at school but isn't going to reach her full potential of she is always daydreaming!

Does anyone know if episodes get less as you get older? She has had no let up at all :-(

My Ds is bright too but he school attendance was down to 75% last year :(
Do it sooner rather than later...they seem to recover quicker the younger they have it done.

Hi there, my daughter had hers out at 6, she was always ill and tired, we never got any joy on the nhs went round the houses with allergies etc etc, it was only when I took her to see a private GP that she looked at her tonsils and said they were abnormally big and scarred from constant infection. We had them taken out and she did have bleeding afterwards and had to go back into hospital for a night, it was frightening and it was only afterwards that I realised how common it is for that to happen, but she was fine and the difference in her has been amazing. She's now 11 and does so much sport and is a different child, I would still have it done even with the downside. HTH x

Of course there are risks, there are risks with every operation. There is a small risk of bleeding, I can't remember the percentage (I work on a children's ward). We don't have a lot of children who bleed afterwards. The main thing at home is to keep up the pain relief regularly and encourage eating and drinking, that keeps the throat nice and clean and helps prevent infection or bleeding afterwards.

I would get it done, the change afterwards is amazing from what parents have told me. It makes a real difference in terms of tiredness and concentration. Suddenly the children are able to concentrate at school again and their attendance is much better. Their life is generally improved.

The criteria is four episodes a year, and I fail to see why the GP won't refer you, trying to put you off with scare stories really isn't appropriate.

If you want any info on the operation and recovery just ask me.

FWIW, having them out as an adult is much worse so if you can get it done whilst she's still young then do. A lot of hospitals do the operation as a day case now. And even if you don't meet the criteria for that it's usually one overnight stay.

My son had tonsils and adenoids removed at age 6, after repeated tonsillitis, etc. with a good surgeon, the risks are minimal. My one suggestion is to avoid the current advice to "eat a normal meal" after surgery. The idea is that rough food can help clear the throat. I thought it was cruel!! After watching him suffer a few bites, I ignored the advice and game him ice cream and soft foods for a while.
He was uncomfortable for a few days but then was fine. It took a couple of weeks for his voice to return to normal, which was disconcerting.
I think hou should at least see a consultant and then decide what to do.