Talk to me about adenoids

[MummyDoIt]

DS1 has been referred for an op to remove his adenoids. He permanently sounds blocked up, it affects his speech slightly, he mouth-breathes (particularly when eating which means he eats with his mouth open) and he snores. I know it's not a big op and he will feel the benefit but part of me is worrying about the general anaesthetic. Reassure me, please! He will be fine, won't he?

Bump.....

It's a really quick procedure, I've seen them do loads of these. There is a slight risk of bleeding afterwards which is why they keep them in hospital for a few hours. The anaesthetists are fab people, loads of experience so really know what they are doing. You should be allowed into the anaesthetic room with him if you want, don't feel as if you have to though, the nurse will go with him if you don't want to, it's often best if a parent doesn't if they feel upset. They will take really good care of him and will return him to you as soon as they can.

Thanks, Belle. I guess I'm feeling nervous as it's not an essential op so if anything did go wrong, I'd feel so responsible. I know I'm being daft!

My DS had his (and tonsils) out in the summer 4 weeks after he was 3. The general anaesthetic wasn't fun - be prepared for what a state they are in when they first come round - but he was absolutely fine - even went home the same day. And, it totally sorted out the very bad snoring/sleep apnea he had - so it was worth the worry!

Hi Mummydoit - my DD had this operation when she was 3. She had her tonsils and adenoids taken out and grommits put in. I did start a thread on it and got some great advice but unfortunately I can't find it I did find another thread which has some really useful advice pre and post op and should hopefully make you feel better here

I can completely relate to worrying about the GA but it honestly wasn't as bad as I thought. It depends on how old your DS is but DD hardly remembers going under and only has fun memories of the op which is a bit odd! Hope it goes well xx

What was he like after the anaesthetic, Zakuro? I'm expecting him to be very groggy and I've had uncontrollable shaking on the two occasions I've had one so wouldn't be surprised by that. What else can I expect?

He screamed and thrashed around for a good 30-45 minutes from the moment he came round. The nurse had prepared us for this and said that it is actually very good for them as it menas they get lots of oxygen very quickly which helps flush the GA out. Despite the 2 horrid weeks of recovery (from the tonsillectomy rather than the adenoids) I honestly think that bit was the worst of the whole process - because you feel so helpless and they look so small! (overly sentimental mother alert!!!)

DS is 7 so a bit older, plus it's only adenoids and not tonsils. I've been told he'll be out the same day and will only need the next day off school. He's having it done the Thursday before half-term so he'll get the next week off anyway.

Zakuro, that sounds quite scary but at least I'll be prepared for it now.

Thanks so much for the reassurances. It's the first major parenting decision I've had to make on my own (since DH died) and I've so missed having someone to take it over with and that feeling of making a decision together. Plus DH was always very good at keeping things in perspective and stopping my imagination getting the better of me.

Poor kid is actually looking forward to it and is planning all sorts for his days off school. I keep trying to explain he won't feel very well but he's adamant he's going to have fun.

I feel for you MummyDoIt - it is definitely difficult to make these decisions under any circumstances let alone when you're making it solo for the first time.

(Not comparable - but we weren't much helped when my MIL told us she had elected not to have the same operation done on my DH at the same age because she would kill herself if anything had happened to him. Erm..thanks for your support love.)

And your DS probably will have fun because he'll get such a fuss made of him by you and the hospital!

Good luck with it all - it will almost certainly solve the problem and be very much worth it in the end

Thanks for the kind words, Zakuro.

He's really struggled with his speech and has had to have lots of speech therapy. He's worked really hard and is almost there but his speech therapist says the remaining problems are physical, ie the adenoids, and not because he doesn't know how to make the sounds. That's my main reason for going for it. Plus I don't think the mouth-breathing will help if he goes on for any sports in the future and there's the possibility of disturbed sleep if the snoring gets worse so I know there are good reasons to go ahead. I guess I can sort of see what your MIL meant, though it's hardly helpful to mention it once the decision has been made!

It is very quick and straightforward. Try not to worry.

I will, Pointy! I feel better now I've 'spoken' to parents whose kids have had it. Plus one of my friends is a theatre nurse and she says she's seen thousands of them without any incident.