Adenoid and Tonsil removal

[Greencouch]

Hi Everyone

My 3 and a half DS is booked to have his adenoids and tonsils removed in a few weeks and would like to hear other people’s stories about how their child was afterwards once they were recovered from the surgery.

he doesn’t suffer from any ear or throat infections but he does snore like a steam train, has sleep apnea, dribbles a lot and mouth breaths at night.

I’m having massive mum guilt about putting him through the operation but keep telling myself that it will make his sleep so much better and hopefully will give him a new lease of life!

My youngest had this done at 3 for the same reasons.
Honestly, it was life changing. He was a really difficult baby & toddler and I think a lot was due to never sleeping properly. He became a different child, so much happier. The recovery wasn't easy, but it was straightforward and Diflam was our friend.
Funnily enough my 19 yr old is now having to have it done too next week and I think the recovery will be much worse.

Hi,

My 2.5 year old DD had this done. She had sleep apnea, mouth breathed, always snotty, was sick very easily, snored. Much like your LO.

I found taking her up to be put to sleep quite distressing but it didn't bother her at all. When they brought her back she slept for a little while on my husband and then was quite distressed when she woke up but it didn't last long. She ate loads after having to fast, one tip, don't let them have ketchup!

She was classed high risk due to the apnea so wasn't allowed morphine for break through pain and could be left alone at all for 72 hours.

Irritable for a couple of days but nothing too distressing for either of us and made a quick recovery. I honestly think it was harder for us than for her.

I will say though that we were hoping for a miracle cure to her sleeping better and that hasn't been the case, more about breaking the habit now. She does still snore but isn't being woken up by apnea anymore which was the most concerning. She also used to be sick almost daily, especially if she had a cough and that has completely stopped, we originally didn't realised it was related so that was a great unexpected bonus. The constant snot stream is long gone.

Keep on top of the prescribed painkillers and lots of cuddles. Hope all goes well x

My DS had this when he was 4. He began sleeping better, eating better and his voice changed as well. We haven't had a bad cold since, and it's been 18 months now.

However recovery was tough; unfortunately he went septic on day 5! Nothing antibiotics couldn't fix.

Recovery was fine for us and totally worth doing. My daughters tonsils were just always big, so caught debris, would get infected and just generally be in the way.

Her first mouthful of food after the op she looked at me with glee and said "mummy, I can SWALLOW!"

Her voice went super squeaky for about three weeks - but not immediately afterwards, and aside from that she's been absolutely great ever since!

My 4 year old daughter just had hers both out 2 days ago, so very fresh for me.

I found putting her to sleep quite upsetting mainly cos she was hysterical and wish I'd gone with a premed to make her relaxed.

On waking she was crying alot and they weren't sure if it was pain or just the shock of waking up (as we weren't there as they called us when she woke up). But it was just the emotion and once she calmed down and ate some crisps she was absolutely fine. We are day 2 and apart from the occasion during the day of saying her throat a bit sore, she's been playing and eating as normal. Nights she's coughed a bit and then woken so I've brought her into bed with me. Her teeth grinding has got worse but I'm hoping that's just cos of the pain she may be feeling.

I was feeling nervous beforehand and 2nd guessing myself but when the surgeon came out and said her tonsils were humongous, grade 4 and her adenoids were blocking 50%-75% of her airway, no wonder she was struggling overnight.

Message me if you have any questions as I know the worry and anxiety you'll be feeling!

Thanks Everyone

I think the mum guilt comes from the fact that he doesn't have any ear or throat infections so doesn't seem to be suffering from it, although he is rather small for his age and has a few developmental delays which if he isn't getting good quality sleep maybe a contributing factor.

He is currently asleep and I can hear him downstairs snoring!

@Greencouch my daughter had her adenoids and tonsils out last Monday, she's 17 months old.

Honestly already seems like the best decision! I was warned we'd have 2 weeks of recovery but she's bounced back really quickly after a week.

The fasting before the surgery was the hardest bit, she was very distressed as they ran a bit late, but luckily got her to nap. She woke up just before they got her to the ward but quick cuddles and then she wouldn't be put down.

Kept on top of the antibiotics and pain killers (hard work as she hates syringes). And she's already sleeping with her mouth shut!! Although still snoring but that's apparently normal.

She's really perked up in general, she was so tired all the time she wasn't laughing much but now she's running about again. Although is still understandably clingy.

She's done much better than me, I had mine out in my 20s and felt rotten for over 2 weeks 🤣

It's not the nicest experience but honestly I'm so pleased she can breathe. Sending good vibes!

Following OP as my little one was put on the waiting list for this surgery a little while ago. Sending a handhold.

The consultant took one look in her throat and said “wow they are huge she needs them out.” Poor little sausage. I think her voice will change it is so deep and husky I’m not sure I want to let it go it’s such a cute little voice! But she wakes up every night and has had tonsillitis a lot. A proper mouth breather!

I think the benefits will outweigh the negatives in the long run x

Following as my daughter is having the op in a few weeks too and I have the same guilt. No advice but solidarity. Hugs.

It’s the best thing we ever did for DS. He was 4 when he had it done.

The first two weeks after the op were really tough. Despite the painkillers, he was waking up really distressed several times per night. We thought we’d made a huge mistake.

But the difference in him now, 6 months later, is HUGE. He’s gained masses of weight (literally almost 50% of his body weight as he was failing to thrive), sleeps through the night without waking himself up coughing, he’s dry at night because he doesn’t have to keep drinking in the night, he hasn’t had more than a couple of mild colds since (used to have viral tonsillitis pretty much constantly), has started eating slightly more foods (his diet was literally about three different things and we’re up to about ten now), and he can smell! We never even realised before that he had absolutely no sense of smell!

Just an update for everyone, my Ds had the surgery and it all went smoothly, they called it an 'uneventful surgery and recovery' so all good! He is recovering really well and is acting like nothing has happened.

Can I ask for the people who children that have been through the surgery, did the apnea stop quite quickly? His snoring has been improved massively but he still pauses every now and again, he is sleeping better and I'm putting it down to everything still being swollen but would love to hear other people's experiences.

@Greencouch great to hear your lo is recovering so well! No advice on the sleep but hopefully someone with experience will comment soon.

So glad your little ones op went well. My son 3 1/2 had adenoids out and grommets put in 6 weeks ago. He used to mouth breathe, snore so loud and had some sleep apneoa as a baby. He doesn't mouth breath or snore anymore. He can taste and smell new things he's like a different kid!

Sorry I know this is an older post, but just been to the GP with my 3 year old DS about this. He has sleep apnea, snores, mouth breathes, his tonsils are huge and coughs ALL the time. The colds he gets are never ending and reading this is giving me hope. He has some behavioural problems too and I'm beginning to think its due to disturbed sleep. The GP is referring him to ENT. Roughly how long did everyone have to wait for surgery?

I had my tonsils out at 19 and it was ok really. I ended up begging to get them out as I was getting severe tonsillitis at least four times a year. It was weird waking up afterwards - there was blood everywhere. The only annoying thing was that the painkillers were massive and I wasn't allowed to leave the hospital until I could eat dry toast and dry cornflakes - not a glimpse of jelly and ice cream! Well worth it though, I've never had recurrent illness like tonsillitis again.

My sister got her tonsils out when she was five and they grew back when she was about twenty and were infected! It was awful!

Depends where you are in the country and the hospital your DS is under. I had to push and push for 18 months until anyone would listen to me only to be told it would be min 1yr wait after originally being told he was an urgent after waiting the 18 months. I was told his hearing loss and repeat ear infections, snoring and mouth breathing would resolve on its own but it didn't. In the end we found the funds and took him private. Best decision we've made. No more snoring or mouth breathing. He can smell, taste and hear again. He has a long road ahead of him in terms of learning to talk etc due to the hearing loss finally being resolved but if we'd waited he wouldn't have had his surgery before starting school and would be even further behind.
As your DS has enlarged tonsils and sleep apnea he may be put as urgent at the top of the list. Best of luck.

@Greencouch Hi! My daughter is in for surgery now in a couple of weeks and I could have absolutely have written your post.

How has your son done since the surgery? Has his developmental delays improved? This is something I am concerned about.

Hey
Since his surgery he has improved, he seems alot more happier in himself and is willing to actually learn, ne no longer sounds like a 60 year old chain smoker at night!

It hasnt been a massive increase in his developmental but there is other issues going on with him.

Hope the surgery goes well, My boy was running like road runner within 6 hours of the surgery, was not prepared!