Adenoids/Tonsils Removed

Updated on October 20, 2006
S.M. asks from Hendersonville, TN
9 answers

My son, Emerson, is 14 months old and having his enlarged adenoids and tonsils removed on Tuesday the 24th. The surgery is being performed by Dr. Werkhaven at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Has anyone's child had this done around Emerson's age? I'm told the recovery will be pretty rough but we're hoping it will cure his obstructive sleep apnea and also help him eat better. Just looking for some encouragement that maybe it won't be that bad!

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your kinds words and advice. The surgery was almost a week ago and Emerson is still having a tough time. We stayed 2 nights at the hospital because he refused to drink anything. The pain medicine works pretty good but he's still not eating much. And he's all of a sudden afraid of his crib at night which he never was before. I think the medicine makes him a little disoriented which leaves him confused when he wakes up at night. I'm hoping tonight will be better!

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L.Y.

answers from Nashville on

Don't worry. I went through 3 sets of PE tubes and an adnoidectomy with my son. He had all that done within a year and a half. As long as you know you are doing what you need to do for him you and he will be fine.

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A.S.

answers from Nashville on

It will go just fine. My daughter had the same procedure done when she was 2 with Dr. Werkhaven also. He is a wonderful physician! You are in good hands. Within a matter of days my daughter was up and running like nothing had ever happened. It was Mom who needed the rest! My only advice is to watch what he eats. Ashley had a cracker and somehow she swallowed it perfectly to where the edge tore one of her stitches. She did throw up quite a bit of blood and they kept her overnight for observation only and she was just fine. Good luck! You have a wonderful Dr! I will be praying for you. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or concern that I might be able to help with.

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K.S.

answers from Chattanooga on

my daughter, Si'Ara had the very same surgery, and did wonderfully. She had tonsils, and everything taken out...and it was a matter of a few days...she laid around and within the week she was so much better because she was so sick b4.

please let us know how the little guy is doing, K?

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C.H.

answers from Savannah on

Hi S.,

Yes, I know your worry and actually it is not as bad of a recovery as you may think. My son Marcus had the same surgery at about the same age I don't really remember except the Doctor's waited until he was 25lbs. any smaller would have been very dangerous. Recovery was not bad at all, I kept him in next to my bed at night for fear that something would happen but he almost acted as if he was not in any pain at all. Within a week or so he was back to normal and perfectly fine, he had a great Doctor by the name of Dr. Zoller. Try not to worry too much it's worse for you than it will be for him(i'm sure). Please let me know how everything goes with the surgery I'll keep your family in my prayers.

C.(:

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A.L.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi S.,

My son was a about 2 when he had the same surgery. I can tell you that the sleep apnea problem desapeared inmediatly, what a difference and what a relieve! The surgery was quick and after being in the recovery room for about an hour and had some cold apple juice we left to go home and he walked to the car. Now after the anestesia wore completly off he was in some pain and disconfort for the first 2 to 3 days. He was in a soft diet and of course we gave him a lot of ICE CREAM!!I was careful not to give him anything hard for a while, but you'll be able to tell. I remeber that I tryied with cheesse puffs when I though he was ready for some "hard" food, since they kind of disolve in your mouth first, (just an idea).
But it'll be just fine you'll see!
Good Luck and I'll keep him and you in my prayers next week

A.

D.N.

answers from Nashville on

Hi S.... My daugher was 4 when she had that done but it was still a rough few days afterwards. My daughter wouldn't drink much nor eat anything except soft candy. Go figure,lol... I called the dr because i was worried she would dehydrate but he told me if she could eat the candy to let her because she knew what hurt and what didn't. I would say take it as it comes and hopefully he will at least drink liquids. Good luck.

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A.B.

answers from Knoxville on

Wow, I guess my daughter has had a real rough time compared to these other kids. My little girl is 4 and she had her adenoids and tonsils removed and tubes placed on the 9th of this month and she is still having a tough time. We ended up back in the hospital for dehydration as well. On the other hand my younger girl was 21 months and she had adenoids out and tubes in and she was fine by day two. Good luck, I hope everything goes well, seems like every child is different. I would go into it feeling neutral, don't expect the worst or the best because no one knows how each individual child will react.

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C.C.

answers from Nashville on

S., My daughter had her tonsils/adenoids removed by Dr Werkhaven also last year. She was older than your son but after 3 days she was fine. Her appetite imporved and she doesn't snore anymore. She gained weight and her taste for different foods improved. She still continues to see Dr Werkhaven as an ENT. Your son should be fine in a few days.

C. C

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S.R.

answers from Knoxville on

My son had the same procedure done, along with tubes put in his ears. He was in pain for about 4 days, and he had to be careful about what he ate, that it wasn't anything rough going down his throat. Yogurt,applesauce,etc. are good alternatives. You will definitely be nursing him for about a week, get some sleep beforehand. The procedure only takes about 30 minutes, and they will give him "happy juice" to make him drowsy for the ivey.Don't worry, everything will be fine.

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