[amylulu]

Hello everyone!
I am being a nervous mom. My oldest son, Jay- 5 yrs, is having his tonsils taken out on Friday. I just need to hear from some of you who have done this. Help me rest my nerves. I am trying to down play this...but I am nervous.
Of course, being a play therapist we have "practiced it" several times with puppets. I think he has an idea about what is going to happen but he has no idea how yuckie he is going to feel. He thinks this is something exciting and starts the mornings by saying how many more days mom till I get to take my tonsils out!
Wouldn't it be great to be 5 again?!
Any experiences or words of wisdom would be appreciated.
Please keep us in your thoughts,

[hesabanana]

My then 2 year old had his tonsils and adnoids removed, and new tubes (set #3) inserted all at the same time. He sailed through it like a champ. Be prepared for the worst breath you have ever smelled. It took about 2 weeks for him to be back to himself, but felt great about 3 days later. He actually ate pizza and soup an hour after surgery! Your son will be fine.

[wvamom]

Wow! What a great attitude your son has. You must be doing a good job of not conveying your anxiety to him, for him to be so happy about this.

I have been through several surgeries with my kids (kidney, ears, orthopedic) but not tonsils--still, I know that it was harder on me as a mom than on them. When I asked my daughter a year after her surgery if it was hard for her, she laughed and said, "No! I slept right through the whole thing!" I can tell you I didn't sleep then, or the week before, or for several nights after. But everything turned out fine in the end.

I have had several friends whose kids had their tonsils out and it has really helped their breathing/sleep apnea/infection issues.

It sounds like you are a great mom. Try not to worry yourself over this (easy for me to say, I know!)

Carolyn

[amylulu]

thanks guys!
I know it will be ok....just trying to settle my nerves!

[jules17]

I had mine out when I was 12 and other than some general soreness, it was just fine. I had the largest tonsils - they touched and filled the back of my throat.

Of course, have lots of popsicles, jello, ice cream and pudding on hand.

I know no matter what I say, you are a MOM and by definition, you will worry...but try not to too much??

It sounds like you have done an excellent job preparing him, which is really great!!

Keep us posted on him...and you, too!

[mommytoEli]

ethan was 2, and it was a breeze...i think he actually "liked" the recovery period b/c it meant all night movies, sleeping with mom on the couch and popsicles for breakfast just stock up on non-red popsicles and jello and a few new movies i convinced them to keep ethan overnight the first night, and i am SOOOO glad i did, b/c that is when he was the crankiest. it was also nice to have someone else get everything he needed while we just sat with him and entertained him. after that, he was lethargic and cuddly for almost a week....and then he was 100%

[allido]

My DS just had his tonsils and adenoids taken out on Halloween. It was fine. I, too, was very nervous and concerned that it would be a life-scarring experience for him. He thought it was cool that he got to go the hospital, wear "special" pjs, have popsicles in bed, and get Momma home with him for three days. Aside from what someone said was the "worst breath ever" for at least a week after, the most immediate side-effect was him being really sleepy the rest of the day. And a couple days later, the hardest part was keeping him "quiet" and not letting him run around too much! Good Luck!

[annaguat]

We went through this twice with two of our children. With both the surgery went very well and they had both tonsils and adenoids removed. there was immediate improvement with the serious sleep apnea issues and both boys gained weight, they were under weight before surgery due to the tonsils. The post op was a breeze for my oldest one but with the younger one there was a lot of discomfort. I think with my experience we hit both ends of the spectrum with post operative experiences for a tonselectomy. I was very glad though the boys had it done and it resolved many issues from sleep apnea, eating, throat issues and hearing/speech. Anna

[JRTEXAS]

My 3 1/2 year old had this done several weeks ago. She had adnoids & tonsils removed and tubes added to ears. She was loving the attention afterwards. I dont think she had much problem overall. She handled it much better than an adult having tonsils out. It will be fine. She now breathes better, does not snore and her nose has stopped nonstop running. Prior she had a runny nose 24/7, snored like an old fat man, and slept wildly all over her bed. Now she sleeps well and in one place leading me to think her quality of rest has escalated. Good luck.
Jack

[guatemommy]

I had my tonsils removed about two years ago. The immediate pain isn't noticeable; it's a few days afterwards that it kicks in. I'd recommend sticking to the pain medication prescribed and have him take it regularly. If you wait until the pain is too much, it's too late. Runny liquids were even too much sometimes, so don't be alarmed if he doesn't have interest in food or drink for a little while. Oh, and popsicles are a must. I'm sure that kids bounce back quicker than adults with these things!

[gibbar]

I am also worried. MY 2 year old is having surgery tomorrow for the same things. He does not sleep and has asthma really bad. He is very tiny so we hope he grows. We are staying over night in the hospital.

It is a busy weekend for us. My baby girl turns 1 on Monday and her party is Saturday.

[mommytoEli]

oh gibbar....good luck i am glad you get one night in the hospital....and you WILL be amazed at what a difference it makes. i was told ethan would grow more, too, b/c apparently when kids don't sleep well ( he had sleep apnea) they don't grow as much.....he did go from being in the 25th percentile, to the 90th in height...although he is still VERY skinny! (oh..to be so lucky )

[nathansvolunteers]

Amy,
We're in the same boat~~my 7 yr. old goes for his on April 17th. Poor thing~~he's a wreck. Dr. is out of town for 2 weeks so my son has to wait 6 weeks to get his done. He told me the other day "Mom~~I wish I could just cough these tonsils out and be done!!"
He's had strep 3 times since mid-January since he was in the hospital with an abscess from it, so to the chopping block it is.....
Good luck to you and your little guy. (and let me know how it goes!)

Cindy

[umber]

My DD4 is waiting for her appointment. I'm a bit nervous too. I really don't like the fact that it's a "drive through" operation, they send her home as soon as they're done, but I guess that's what we get when accountants run the health field. And of course they're scarying me half to death with the list of complications that could happen when we get home.