My son will be having a Tonsillectomy

[DrFarah]

Hello!

My 5 year old boy (Sohrab) is on the waiting list for a Tonsillectomy in Manchester. Just wondering if any other mums have experienced this with their children, or have they been through the experience of taking their children for a hospital operation. Would love to hear from you...

Hi, my daughter had her tonsils and adenoids out this time last year when she was 3. She did really well and the recovery time was about a week of calpol and being uncomfortable. After that she snapped back quickly.

Hi Bellabluetwo!

Thank you for replying so promptly! This is very reassuring, awww she's only 3?! What is she called? Yes, I am quite concerned about pain control after his operation :( However it is good to know that Calpol was sufficient to help your daughter. My son has been recommended to have 2 weeks off school.

Thanks again for replying back!

I think she was on something stronger at the hospital and then we had to keep her topped up with alternate calpol and ibruprofen. And we were told to keep her eating, hard scratchy food (crisps, tops etc) to keep the wound clean.

Two weeks off school is to keep him free from infection. He will have an open wound essentially which will be open to infection. So staying at home for two weeks and not having visitors will help keep him safe.

My dd had hers out last year at age ten and recovery was rough for her. She slept in my room for a few nights. Calpol and ibroprofen wasn’t enough for her and she had to be prescribed something stronger. She’s fine now though and enjoying not having tonsillitis ten times a year :)

My son was 4, the first week was quite tough, he was fine until we got to the end of the 4 hour window of pain relief. Keep it coming, for at least 10 days, write it down, it was like having a baby again waking in the night. But generally it was fine, only just as the pain relief was wearing off was it an issue.

It'll get better, get worse after about 5 days, then get better again. My son was fine after 10ish days I think.

My son had adenoids out too and grommets in some not sure what impact that would of had.

oh that must have been so tiring for you purple olive! thank you to the others for your replies and letting me know what your experiences were. It must have been tough to see your little ones go through it, but I think as long as they are given pain control, lots of hugs and tender care!

I won't be with my son as he lives with his father, but I am sending him several books, as he loves to read! I found two books on amazon; Tony's Tonsillectomy and Ollie's Tonsils :) He was with me full-time until he was 2 years old and I have always talked to him about his feelings etc especially before a situation is impending that might be anxiety-provoking for him.

Yes, he is also having his adenoids out, his Consultant wants to get them checked by histology just in case. I suspect they are just taking all necessary precautions!

Hi. I'm in the same position and have so many worries going round in my head. My DD is 5 and due to have hers out on 23rd Oct. Ive been talking to her a lot about it but my biggest concern is recovery and how much pain she'll be in. We also have a caravan holiday booked 5 Days after the operation and I am in two minds whether to cancel it in case she's too uncomfortable or still go as a distraction.
Following this post for any advice and so I don't feel alone with the worry xx

Hello mummy2pickle,

Thanks for dropping into this chat, it's quite comforting for me to know that there are other mums in a similar situation to me! I can empathise with you, as I am also worried about my son's post-operative care etc. Especially that I will likely not be with him :( we have not received a date yet from the hospital, but it is likely to be in the first or second week of January.

Your daughter's op is quite soon, how prepared do you think you feel for it? I believe the hospital will give stronger medication for the pain control, however you can do so many things with her (non-medication wise) that can also help in her recovery.

A caravan holiday sounds lovely, but I do understand that you have mixed feelings over it. I think from what I have understood, there can be a great deal of pain and possibly vomitting etc after the operation. Is your daughter also getting her adenoids out? This may cause her to have mild bleeding from her nose, and also throat. I suppose on the other hand, the holiday can be a little adventure for her, and with her being 5 years old, she will probably still be in that stage of "magical thinking" etc?

Your daughter is the same age as my son! When is her birthday? My son turned 5 on 2nd August this year (he's a little lion, leo!).

May I suggest a few things (if you do not mind)? I have ordered several books from amazon, one is a book called Ollie's tonsils and another is called Tony's Tonsillectomy. These are written for children to read and get some understanding about what the operation will involve before it happens. It is great that you are talking to her a lot about it, I am assuming that you have asked her about her feelings etc? so that she can voice any feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger etc

This is also very important for after the operation in her emotional recovery; that she is able to express her feelings etc. Perhaps if she likes drawing you could do that together? Or whatever her interests/hobbies are.

I went onto the Alberta Children's Hospital website last night to check for what I can do after the operation and they have a few videos online for parents to watch. I found it really helpful to see what I can do to help with the recovery process.

Please do message again if you want to check in again, with any worries etc and questions