Son Having Adenoids and Tonsils Removed

My son was 1.5 yo when he had his removed. His appt was in the afternoon, and that was especially hard because he wanted to eat/drink, but he wasn't allowed to. Try to get as early a time as possible. He also wasn't interested in eating ice cream once we were home. He was happy with drinking milk. He had sleep apnea, and the condition was immediately improved and continues to be (he's 5 y/o now).

My son at age 3 1/2 had his adenoids and tonsils removed as well. Due to the fact that he had a sub-mucous cleft palate. He was not talking by the age of 3 either. He was put under for the procedure and recovery was very quick. He was eating by that afternoon just liquids though. He is now almost 14 and no problems at all except teenage boy problems LOL.

E. M

My daughter had her adenoids removed and did exceptionally well! a few hours after the surgery she was tired but ready to play :) They do very well with this! They give them a sleepy syrup to make them drowsy when they take them away. Some nurses carry the kids and others wheel them back. My daughter cried when she woke up from being scared but when she saw us she was fine and just wanted to watch Shrek and have her Daddy hold her. I was very anxious about it, but it was 110% better then I expected. My daughter was 2 when she had it done. Make sure you bring new toys to distract him with and his favorite drink. Also bring a favorite movie so he can watch it while waking up from the surgery.

The one piece of advice I would give is don't push the recovery time after the proceedure. My son (now 8) had his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was 3 also. He drank a cup of water and they sent us home saying he would be fine. We were at the emergency room that night and they admitted him for dehydration. Give your son as much time as he needs before you take him home. A side note...my son has not had any issues (ears, sore throats, sinus stuff) in the past 5 years. While a difficult decision, well worth the outcome in the long run. Also, when you do get home, let him have whatever he asks for. My son wanted cheese in the hospital and the nurses wouldn't let him have it. I went down to the cafeteria and bought a sandwich with cheese on it and gave it to him. Within 30 minutes he was hungry, thirsty and ready to go home. Be a strong advocate for your son, you know better what he will want and need. Good luck

MY three year old just had his adenoids and tonsils out this past November. I also have anotyher son that had his out when he was three. I am surprised that they are sending you home. My ear, nose and throat specialist kept both my boys over night to observe them. I guess every doctor is different. The morning of the surgery is pretty easy - getting ready - they usually schedule the little guys first or close to first. SO they are up early - I was always concerned we would have to have the big fight about wanting a drink or something to eat the morning or surgery. But neither even asked - because we were up so early. The hardest part is waking up from the surgery. Ask to be taken back right away when you child wakes up or to be in the room as they are waking up. Both of my boys woke up crying and inconsolable. They hacked this awful sounding cough that made me cringe - feeling like they would cough out stiches or that it must really hurt. I would definately not be there alone - bring someone like yourself who really loves your son - you can switch off holding and trying to console your son (if he has the same reaction). Just be ready for a terrible time of it when he wakes up - for mine it only lasted about 20 minutes and then they were calm - but it was twenty minutes of trying to pull off the IV, crying and kicking, asking to go home, this awful coughing (a throaty, deep hacking sound), and felt horrible. But remember you child is disoriented and scared. That was the hardest part. At home its ice cream and jello -- not bad - after 2 days though both my sons wanted food - so we tried scrambled eggs and melted cheese, mashed bannanas with whipped cream - anthing soft. Also I would recommend having a humidifier at home in your sons room every night - it eases the discomfort they feel. Finally - whatver pain medicine they give you - give on the prescribed schedule for at least 2 days - don't wait to see if your son needs it. We don't drink or typically use over the counter medication for anything. With my first son we tried to not use the tylenol with codeine the first day and it was awful for him. So we made sure to use it the first two days and then went to an over the counter child's pain medicine. Finally - the surgery is well worth it - both my boys who were sick with ear infections, strep throat, had massive adult like snoring and sleep apnea - no longer have any of those and are rarely if ever sick. Just be ready for twenty minutes or inconsolable crying as he wakes from the surgery - the rest is a breeze compared to that.

I am a pediatric OR nurse and the mother of 2 young children. My son has to have ear tubes placed as well as an adenoidectomy. Most hospitals have specialized pediatric anesthesiologists and having surgery is very safe.

Hi Jackie!
I know exactly how you feel. My son, last year had his tonsils removed. He just turned 3. My son did just fine. He had the surgery at Lake Forest Hospital and they were great to him. The hardest part was watching him getting put to sleep for the operation and then him waking up and crying. He just looked so helpless.I actually passed out because I was so stressed and sad and overwhelmed. So daddy had to help us both!I did stay the night with him because he had to stay overnight. That was the hardest time of it all. He just was uncomfortable and in some pain. But the nurses were in there to help me the whole night. The next day he had some popsicles and apple juice and took it really well. When we got home-I just was at his becking call and held him most of the time. I don't remember if they gave us pain medication. I think he was just on Motrin. But he did fine. I was such a wreck about it and he did so good. Feel free to ask any other questions. I know exactly how you feel Jackie! Hugs!

Hi Jackie,

My 7 year old niece had the same surgery when she was about 4. She came through it with flying colors. She was a little weak at first and wouldn't eat much, but when I visited her in the hospital, I fed her some jello and she at with gusto. She was out of school for a while, but my sister reports that she did well. Lots of rest is mandatory. Don't be afraid if he doesn't eat much at first, as that is to be expected. Check the web for more detailed info. Your son should be fine!

S.

My 4 yr old niece just had that done last week and did very well. She was only at the hospital for a few hours. Her mother said that the only bad part was when they wheeled her to the or and when she woke up because she did not know anyone. She had popcicles and soft stuff the first day but after 2 days she was eating normal.. I have another niece that had this done 7 yrs ago and with her they pushed salty stuff for faster healing but it may burn some when they eat it. Good luck

Jackie,
My son was not 3 , he was 1.5 when he had tubes put in
and his adenoid taken out. ( they told me theyre arent 2
theirs only one adenoid) Anyway ...I was anxious too on such
a little guy , but it had to be done. The operation was
over before we knew it , it was when we were back in the
room with him that was a bit diconcerting. He was a bit
combatative which was upsetting, but the nurse said that was
normal due to the sedatives etc. So dont be too upset
if your little guy does that.
B.