Tonsil and Adenoids removal

[Just1234]

I'm hoping for some reassurance.

I suffer with anxiety which I am getting help for but obviously I worst case everything.

My son is having his tonsils and adenoids removed in 3 weeks. He is 3

We saw a consultant after both the Dr and Dentist referred us for his large tonsils and repeated throat infections and also he has issues with food and regurgitates a lot as he can't hold much food in his mouth without it touching his tonsils. He also snores the house down,

His surgery is booked but I'm now so emotional! I'm absolutely hiding it from him but I'm so worried. I read about the complication of bleeding afterwards and now I'm terrified.

I was hoping someone who may have had DC go through this may be able to re assure me .

Currently I'm so anxious I just want to cancel it but I know that's not good for him . Thankfully DH is very calm and level headed.

Anyone who can offer any stories would be so appreciated

You have all been so kind but I am now 24 hours out and I feel so emotional and worried. Hoping I can hide it from DS as being super cheerful and I know I'm not rational but I'm just so nervous for him

5yr old DC had them out in December. Recovery was much easier than I anticipated. After the op she slept a lot and was a bit sick but they gave her meds to stop that and we went home. She slept the full night no problems. Regular pain meds for a few days and lots of smoothies/ice creams/yoghurt but tbh even by the second day she was ok, playing and only in a small amount of pain. They said no school for a week but by day 3/4 we were getting out the house to the shops and to see friends as she was absolutely fine! It has also been amazing for her, better sleep, massively increased appetite, gaining weight. She already had a lot of energy but now she doesn’t stop! Also where we live parents aren’t allowed to be in the anaesthetic room, you hand them over at a certain line. We discussed this lots with her before so she knew what would happen. In her opinion the worst thing was vomiting after but she absolutely hates being sick.

Thank you so much for this. I'm so glad she recovered quickly !

In case no one else has said this, tell him there will be a present for him when he wakes up. Works like magic.

My little girl had this done almost a year ago to the day.

The change is remarkable. The growth, the speech, the sleep. It's the best thing we could have done for her

Thank you so much for sharing! How did she find recovery .

@Just1234 I don't know what you were trying to ask but I wondered if it was about op?

Op was fine. Sedation was fine. She was distressed when she woke up and just wanted cuddles. Take a spare t-shirt for you, there is a lot of dribble and I was covered.

We were home same day, kept up the meds and only had one disturbed night of sleep.

Sorry yes the op and afterwards. That's so reassuring! I'm really scared about him going under general but I know I need to not let him know my fear. Great advice on the t shirt I'm off to pack myself a bag shortly with some bits in it as we are leaving home at 7am so I will add one in .

So glad it's worked out so well for your DC I really hope I'm writing similar in a few weeks

Just getting ready to leave . I actually slept which I didn't expect! Wishing the next few hours go super quick and super well

Most parents actually ask if they can buy a vial of our drugs for bedtimes!

Honestly they'll be fine, it's super routine for us in paeds anaesthetics. Just try to stay positive and if you do feel tearful try your best to hold it together till they're asleep as children absorb anxiety. Magic cream to make their hand numb for a drip, pls bring electronic distractions, or gas to breathe. They wiggle quite a bit going asleep. Then soon as they're awake you'll be called to recovery then back on the ward soon after that

They are pretty painful after so many sure you're alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen after. It'll be worth it, its far worse for the parents than the kids at that age xx

DD had hers out when she was 10. It is scary watching them go under (DD has had GAs several times, youngest when she was a toddler and its scary every time but you just need to remember that they know what they are doing, and complications are extremely rare).
Recovery was difficult for her but she was older, younger children tend to recover much quicker. I slept in her room for the first week after and gave her meds around the clock (so waking her up in the night for a dose too, otherwise she'd wake up in the morning in too much pain to swallow meds) and she did need tramadol for a few days as well as paracetemol and ibuprofen.
Food-wise I let her eat whatever she wanted, which wasn't much, mostly protein drinks and yoghurts and ice lollies. I know in the UK they say to give them normal foods straight away but her surgeon was shocked when I told him that and said absolutely not, soft foods only for a week.

Thank you all so much. Plan is for DH to take him down as he will be so much calmer. We are all settled in and the nurses have made him feel so special . Just waiting to see the DR

We are home . It all went well. DH took him down while I went for a sneaky sob outside the hospital.

I'm so glad you all warned me about the coming around from the surgery because that was horrendous. I expected grumpy but I did not expect it to be like an exorcism ! He was wild! That was the worst bit for me

He's home and happy as Larry at the moment and we have a zillion alarms set for medicine

Oh good, it's over! So glad everything went okay. And yes, excorcism is a good word for it - it surprised me too!

Glad to hear it went well OP. We got our letter in for my DS's surgery, so we have a date next month. I'm so nervous.

Hope recovery goes well for you.

Good luck! I hope it goes smoothly for you and DC.

Today there is def more pain but we are just letting him eat anything he fancies to keep him eating and getting him to sip something every 20 mins or so.

The worst bit currently is the constant medicine . He's usually so good but every 2 hours it's a battle.

Hehe they probably told you but kids are prone to delirium (Acute confusional state) post ga, it's not unusual to notice behavioural changes for up to a month after (sleep disturbance/regression to bed wetting etc

So we have reached day 3 and DC is now so unhappy to drink and take any Medicine! He was doing SO well wolfing down food, Now he's so sore and he's 3 so he cannot understand so I just refusing. We have just managed to get morning Ibroprufen in so I am hoping that will start to work soon but Any tips as this feels the worst ! He's so sad .

It’s normal, they take a dip before they get better again. Just keep giving the pain relief and just let him pick at what he wants to eat or try ice lollies as they’re cold, anything.

Yes that's when the properly scan over and become tight. Hopefully the medicine kicks in soon x

Thank you! Sadly he was a picky eater before so now it's 10 times worse! He had perked up as the day has gone on but def our worst day pain wise today! Getting the medicine in is the hardest bit but we had a more positive day than last night

Thank you for posting this. I am waiting for my teen to have this done. Waiting nearly a year now. What is everyone’s experience of this? We will need a critical care bed ready for them too. I’m nervous.

I have heard say 3-5 is the worse. I’m dreading that! Hope he perks up soon.

We found the worst bit was when the scabbing formed and came away. Ds was 4 when he had his done and there was a few not very nice days with eating and pain but he was a different child after and have never once regretted it. (He liked those revolting straws filled with chocolate ball things and icy cold milk during recovery if that's any help?)

I don't suppose you remember what day that was?

Today's felt rough I feel so on edge with watching him and worrying but it's also got some lovely bits. He can't stop smelling things . They told me they didn't think he had much nose function but honestly he couldn't get over the smell of my shampoo earlier: he just keeps going outside and breathing in through his nose which is adorable.

Hoping it starts to get better each day. He sobbed earlier and asked me why he wasn't getting better

Thank you !

The nerves for you teen will be totally normal. It's so daunting . Do you know why they need a critical care bed?

My mum who is now 73 has her tonsils out when she was 21 and she said recovery was sore but after 2 weeks she was great again . I think 2 weeks seems to be the standard recover for young and older