Just been told DS 3 needs his Adenoids out

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Please reassure me he'll be ok.

He's very small for his age (turned 3 last week in age 12-18 month clothes) and we've been under ENT for about 18 months after recurrent ear infections. His ear drums are constantly perforated and although removing his Adenoids has been mentioned before the consultants have always said the risk of bleeding is too high because of his size.

The consultant today said it now needs doing, I know they wouldn't do anything without good cause and if it was too dangerous but I'm terrified of the bleeding risk. I suffer terrible anxiety when it comes to my DC so know I have a tendancy to over worry.

Has anybody had a small child go through this?

My ds who is going to be 4 in September but is wearing 2-3 Yr clothes is on the waiting list to have his adenoids out. I've never been told there is a big risk of bleeding? I'm like you and very anxious over my son and his health. Was it literally because of his size they said about the bleeding?

Yes, that's why they haven't done it up until now. Saying that they also put off his Gromet op for the same reason and only did it once he'd reached a certain weight, that was about 9 months ago and he has grown since then. Maybe it's not such an issue now he's grown but the consultant didn't weigh him so they can't possibly know what he weighs. Sorry if I've put further worry in your mind x

I had mine out when i was 4 and the size of a 2 year old. Was really fast (i had grommets done at the same time. Woke up conoletely fine after wards. He will be ok op. X

I also bruised and bled easily as a child and had extreme nosebleeds frequently and honestly my dm was never told that was an issue and for me it wasnt. These are very skilled people and it is only a minor op. I know that probably wont allay your fears but from my perspective it was ok. X

My ds was tiny and ill all the time. He looked crazy as he walked along but the height of a baby!! They did his op a day after his second birthday. It was life changing and he grew rapidly in the next 3 years. Honestly you won't look back. The risks are much outweighed by the improvement and they keep them in wjen they are very little. My advice is to set your alarm every 4 hours day and night after the op so as to keep up to pain relief for a few days as the scabs form (true with tonsils out too). If you don't wake them it can be hard to catch up again. You'll be delighted with the results I'm certain.

Mine had hers out at 13 months. Recovery took a few weeks but it was fine - totally transformed her.
It’s worth doing.

Size has nothing to do with bleeding btw.
Bleeding is a risk for everyone who has the op - it’s a small risk- speak to your consultant or nurse more if you are concerned.

I had mine done at 4. All I remember is the yucky banana medicine afterwards, being allowed to eat ice cream a lot (had my tonsils done at the same time) and not being allowed on a bouncy castle at a birthday party a week or so afterwards due to nosebleed risk. The only one I’ve had though was when I had the flu as a teen and was blowing my noses umpteen times a day.

Is there a link between adenoids and slow growth in children?

Mine wasn’t growing despite eating like a horse because she wAs using up all her energy to breath at night

I think there is a link between sleep apnea (which can be caused by tonsils and/or adenoids) and slow growth. Don’t have a source but I do remember hearing it somewhere.

My DS has his adenoids our at 3 and he was running about the play park at the hospital the same day. Try not to worry, it's a quick and easy operation

I think the link is adenoids stunting growth is infections associated with adenoids, and the infections can hamper growth.
The risk of bleeding isn't massive in the general population of patients, and it seems is partly linked to the method of removal, but mainly they recommend the child doesn't exert themselves or get exposed to infection as both increase the risk of bleeding
I completely understand your upset. None of us want to see our children having surgery especially when it causes pain afterwards. But some pain, which can be managed can lead to massive gains.

My daughter had her adenoids out and grommets put in when she had just turned 3. She was also small for her age and had very bad sleep apnoea. She was absolutely fine after but didn't stop the sleep issues so she had her tonsils taken out and new grommets put in almost exactly a year later when she had just turned 4. All absolute fine and she sleeps brilliantly now. Has also shot up in height as well.

My DS has this, along with Tonsils removed and grommets fitted 6 weeks ago.

Won’t lie, recovery and effects after operation were horrific and my DS really went through it, but I am pleased long term he had it.

Took over three weeks to get better and return to School and for the first week after the operation he slept in my bed with me, so I could keep an eye on him as he was in so much pain.
Keep on top of the Calpol/ Nurofen and as well as giving ice poles, ice cream etc, give scratchy foods like toast and biscuits. This helps to keep the areas free from infection amd “clean” as the scratchy foods knock off the scabs and reduce the risk of blood buildup etc
You will notice a smell afterwards, like a burnt smell, on your child’s breath and from their nose. That’s normal and is where they have removed the adenoids surgically.
Good luck.