3 Year Old Having Tonsils, Adnoids Removed and Ear Tubes

It's definately not easy but my son had it doen at 3 as well. She will probably be more quiet than you think, they feel pretty yucky for a few days. After the first few days, try to plan some quiet activities. Go to the library every day, go for a drive (instant nap!), take her for an ice cream/slush, let her pick out all sorts of movies to rent, look for fun crafts on nick or noggin web sites, anything that entertains her in one spot. Good luck!!

Hi, I have not experienced this but my sister just did with my nephew last month. He just turned 3 in April and had terrible issue with all three. The doctor said he didn't like to perform these proceedures younger then 4 but my nephew needed them! It was very difficult for my sister- meds are essential! following directions for post op are also! If it is not absolutely necessary I would wait until your daughter is better able to take meds and not be so active. God Bless

HI
my son had the same procedure at 5 years old. your daughter will be at the hospital from 6am? untill 3-4 pm depending on how fast she eats/drinks for the nurse. (I think it was 8oz total fluids)
I totally suggest slushies! Make your own in a blender using her favorite juice, feed her it from a spoon and it will chill her tongue and then give her the spoonful of medicine so she cant taste it. hope this helps!
ps ice water is great for pain!

HI M.,
My youngest had surgery (ear tubes) and in hind sight I wish we had done what you are doing. He has had 2 other subsequent surgeries. The coming out of anesthesia is the toughest part, they are disoriented and scared. Ask if you can have your daughters favorite movie on the ready in the recovery room or bring a CD player with soothing music. The ice pops help for sure.
As for taking the medicine, our nurse practitioner suggested putting the medicine on a spoon with a dollop of whipped cream. That helps with the taste and sometimes we have a little bit more as a chaser!
Post Surgery, I bought a few new board games and took a new one each day for 3 days. We also went out to the movies a few times, all an effort to keep my "busy" 3 year old calm!!
Kung-Fu Panda looks pretty good!
If you have been struggling with chronic ear infections (like we were) you will notice an improvement in your child's health right away.
Good luck!

My son had chronic tonsilitis at 6 ( more then 5 infections in a year two years in a row)and his MD wanted to take them out, and at the same time he suggested he take out the adnoids too as "this would help him not snore and sleep with his mouth open and save his teeth". It was an easy operation, but 3 operations?? Why? If not all three are needed, say no. I'd get a second recommendation for any surgery at any time for any child. I did, although to date he's never been ill again with anything literally. Good insurance can be the reason too. Doctors are not Gods, they just think they are sometimes and in CT., with MalPractice Insurance so high..... Unless he/she can give you a very good reason for 3 operations, I'd say No. The human body may not need some parts, but there is a reason we have all of our parts and we should keep them unless it is truly a medical necessity. Just my opinion, BTW, my son still snored, and slept w/ his mouth open after the operation, although he's never had another sore throat in his life, and he has perfect teeth.
The longer the child is "under" on the table, the more danger they are in. If a second operation isn't needed don't do it.
Good luck, it's a quick operation and mine was fine and home in two days. He remembers that time, but doesn't remember any pain. They allowed me to sleep next to him on a cot and this made it easier for him. I never left his side and this made it easier too. Please get a second opinion and if the child only has one thing wrong, fix the one thing.."three" at once, is medical greed with good insurance unless there is a good reason. Best wishes and don't let a medical degree intimidate you. You're a Mom, and Mom's get to demand answers to every single question. This is your child, not his/hers meal ticket, no question is silly. Go with your own instincts, not their greedy fears that they can and will try to inflict..These days for too many MD's this is a business.

A good friend of mine had all three of these things done with her three year old, but the tonsils were done last, and seperately. I e-mailed her about your concern, and I'll let you know what she says. It is so scary when our kids need procedures done.

I know this sounds tough- but to be honest she will be feeling so crummy afterwards that giving her the medicine will be easy! She'll want to have a quiet couple of days anyway.
After that it shouldn't be too difficult to talk her into taking her meds as she'll have been in the hospital and will understand the severity of the situation.
You can also ask the doctor and her nurses to stress the importance of her taking her medication. That should help.
Good luck,
S.

Our son had the ear tubes (both ears) when he was little. Our doctor's advice was to see if one of us could go to part-time work to help him not be in childcare so much. Between the tubes and me going part-time, that helped immensely with his issues. I know that's not an option for everyone, but it's something to consider. (Talk about Mommy guilt! Sometimes I think our doctor's advice was old-fashioned, but it really did help!)

I agree that coming out of anaesthesia is the hardest, regardless of the procedure, single or multiple. But that may be when your child may be most compliant, too, for the next day or two.

Create some quiet, soothing times with your daughter. I have a very active son (now 11) who has always loved books, movies, fireplace fires, etc. Whatever she likes that soothes her might be a good bet during the recovery time. And draw from your special reserves of patience and warmth during this time. You may need it!

One question...I guess I'm a little surprised to hear of several kids getting all of these procedures done at such a young age. Has the conventional wisdom changed since I was a kid? (Okay, I'm 48, so that was a while ago!) But I thought doctors refrained from removing tonsils and adenoids as long as possible because they served a purpose of battling the "bad guys" in our systems.

I had my tonsils out when I was 12-13. My 19-year-old sister got them out around the same time and she had a much harder time with the recovery. I just remember not wanting to touch the ice cream that everyone said I'd want after the surgery. I've been told it's easier the younger you are, because the roots are not as deep. But 3 seems so young!

I'm not sure I'm providing much advice but I certain will offer lots of encouragement during this time. The ear tubes were a godsend! They made a HUGE difference! And don't forget the earplugs for baths and swimming. (We were just watching some old family movies and was reminded of the earplugs after baths. : )

M.,

I have a 3-year-old and she just underwent a tonsillectomy (2 weeks ago). She's had two other surgeries. The first was at 11 months for ear tubes and the second was at 23 months for her 2nd set of tubes and an adenoidectomy. In hindsight, I wish that all of her issues were addressed at the same time. The most difficult recovery was the most recent surgery. Like your daughter, my daughter is active and stubborn. My daughter also dislikes liquid medications (although she does eat chewables). Unfortunately, she really needed the Tylenol w/ Codeine (of course there is no chewable for this). We had to "restrain" her to give her the medication. When she didn't take the medication, her throat hurt, which meant she didn't drink, which resulted in dehydration and an ER visit. I tried everything to get her to drink but, she had her own mind and was refusing.

Despite the bleak picture I am painting, I would definitely do the surgery again (as well as the other two surgeries) because I have noticed improvement in my daughter's sleeping, eating, and breathing. There is light at the end of the tunnel but, I'd prepare for a difficult two weeks (i.e. make no other plans).

One benefit is that my daughter still enjoys an infant swing and I was able to swing her on that and she enjoys crafts as well as movies. I don't love a lot of TV watching but, if it meant she was calm for her recovery, I was willing to relent.

I hope this helps.

J.

Hi M.,
My son had the same thing done in Jan and it also was a day surgery.My son was 2 1/2. I thought that it was going to be a lot worst then what it was. I just bought ice pops and a couple of movies. My son was tired and was very quiet. The only thing that he didn't like was putting the ear drops in. It was for only 3-5 days twice a day. I would also have him help me put the ear plugs in when he takes a bath or now going in the pool. I hope that this helps.