Tubes/adenoid Surgery and Flying

Hi V.,

My son was 2 yrs old when he had his tubes put in. The ENT Doc said that it's a routine surgery and my son would e able to fly the next day after the surgery. We did not fly the day after but a month or so afterwards and it was great. Usually my son is screaming because of the pressure in his ears but he didn't even notice the change in altitude. He just wondered if there was a McDonalds on the plane where he could get some chicken nuggets! :)

As for recovery, my son was back to his normal shenanigans a few hours after the surgery.

Good luck to you and your daughter. I'm sure everything will work out just fine. Btw, our surgery was performed at Landstuhl RMC. Everyone there was very nice to us. It was a great experience overall.

A.

My son had the same surgery at 3 years old and was up and running by that afternoon. His throat was a little tender but really nothing to stop him and he is quite the whinner. So I am sure your daughter will be fine. As the other post said, the tubes open things up and will actually make it easier for your daughter because she won't have built up pressure that everyone else gets. It is definitely worse on the parents than on the child. Good luck.

None of my kids have actually had the surgery, but I'm sure your daughter will be okay. I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you.

My son has had his adenoids out twice and tubes in his ears twice as well as his tonsils out. Each time he had the surgery, he recovered easily. With the adenoids, he was up and running around like a crazy person within a few hours of the surgery. Even with the tonsil surgery which is much more intensive, he was up and running around within a day. The tubes and adenoid surgery is very easy. The difference in the surgeries was described to me as the adenoid surgery is like mowing the grass as they are cauterized off and the tonsil surgery is like uprooting a tree as they have to be cut out. I hope this is helpful for you.

I dont know what anyone else put my daughter has not had anything like that but her ears hate to fly..I am sure you know but some suckers were our best friend on the way up..and down..She stoppped screaming pretty fast.I wish you luck..S. A

My son had tubes put in when he was 18 months and we flew back to the states right after having it done.....He did great in fact he did have the pressure that most people do when they fly. He did great. The whole thing was harder on me than it was him. I am a stay at home mom with two kids...a girl 8 and boy 2. We are currently stationed in Darmstadt Germany.

From an ENT doc's perspective, flying with tubes will be cake. She no longer has to equalize the pressure across her ears. Adenoidectomy is usually pretty easy; she may have a bit of a sore throat, and may have some nasal congestion with thick mucous (like a cold) but it won't harm her to fly, and as long as she stays hydrated, she should do fine! Good luck!

V.,

I don't know about this type of surgery, but surgury is always a risk, and in particular with a child. I would definitely call the headquarters for the airline, explain the situation, and most likely, they will refund or reschedule your flight. I am very homesick; I haven't been 'home' in three years, so I can imagine how badly you want to travel. Nevertheless, why take a chance with your child's comfort and safety? Okinawa is a long flight...Call the Airlines'Headquarters today! I got positive results when there was a family emergency four years ago. The airline, stationed in England, (or Netherlands?) was simpathetic, and only requiered that I fax them a doctors' statement, which the doctor gladly did for us.
Good Luck! I'll be praying for you...M.

My 10 yo had her adenoids taken out and she was out playing that afternoon. It was a simple surgery and she was just fine. I think your child would be okay.

A. Brown