Has anyone had experience with a young child getting adenoids or tonsils removed?

[Anonymous]

My son had his out at age 5. It was really hard to watch him be put under. Then to see his confusion and pain after waking. It was a hard week after that trying to keep fluids and liquid meds in him. But after a week the worst was over and he was back to normal after 2 weeks. It was worth it in our case- an improved quality of life (he had adenoids and tonsils out).

We had no complications but were very worried about that.

So sorry to the pp whose child had complications!

[Anonymous]

It was painful for the entire family. DD took a week to recover. Lots of crying but followed our advice to stay in front of the pain. She was 5. Her twin brother refused all meds, liquids, etc. and ended up in the hospital 2 days later. Turns out he was reacting to the antibiotics. He took almost 3 weeks to recover. Google it. You will have realistic expectations for your upcoming nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't want to hear my story as my child almost died from a hemorrhage. Be well aware of all the risks and only do the surgery if it is 100% necessary.

My son had abnormally large tonsils and snored like all get out. After an initial recc. from a private ent that they should come out, my surgeon dh took him to Hopkins to be evaluated. DH regarded it as an unnecessary surgery and Hopkins ENT agreed. DS was about 4 at the time, and four years later, he's grown into his tonsils.

Your surgeon husband was afraid of this type of surgery?

[Anonymous]

Best decision we ever made to have both removed. DS had repeated strep throat issues for a year. Doctors recommended the surgery. The surgery went fine - they warned us to stay ahead on the meds and to wake up at night to give them - they were right. one night we let him sleep thru and he woke up in so much pain - crying and screaming which made it even worse - getting him to take the meds at that point with a sore overly emotional kids was a 2 person job. He was 5 years old at the time. While everyone told us cold foods and drink for him - he actually found that bothered his throat more and preferred foods and drink that were room temperature. It was a hard week but got better after that. I thought I would only need to take a week off work and him a week off school - truth be told we really need 10-14 days before things were 100% back to normal. Best thing about it - he now rarely, if ever gets sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't want to hear my story as my child almost died from a hemorrhage. Be well aware of all the risks and only do the surgery if it is 100% necessary.

My son had abnormally large tonsils and snored like all get out. After an initial recc. from a private ent that they should come out, my surgeon dh took him to Hopkins to be evaluated. DH regarded it as an unnecessary surgery and Hopkins ENT agreed. DS was about 4 at the time, and four years later, he's grown into his tonsils.

Your surgeon husband was afraid of this type of surgery?

I think we all heard about the poor girl who died having a tonsillectomy. It is not a minor surgery, and it sounds like PP's DH was right to seek a second opinion.

[Anonymous]

19:41 here -- I should have added, it can be an excellent surgery, despite the risk. In our case, we went from constant strep throat and antibiotics to very healthy, no more strep or antibiotics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't want to hear my story as my child almost died from a hemorrhage. Be well aware of all the risks and only do the surgery if it is 100% necessary.

My son had abnormally large tonsils and snored like all get out. After an initial recc. from a private ent that they should come out, my surgeon dh took him to Hopkins to be evaluated. DH regarded it as an unnecessary surgery and Hopkins ENT agreed. DS was about 4 at the time, and four years later, he's grown into his tonsils.

Your surgeon husband was afraid of this type of surgery?

Thought it was unnecessary and not worth the risk of putting a kid under anesthesia.

[Anonymous]

best decision we ever made.

Stay ahead of the pain meds.
The recovery took a full 2 weeks before my son was feeling mostly normal.

Days 2 and 3 were tough and then close to day 10 because the scabs were falling off.

warm drinks were soothing--he drank barely warm hot chocolate for almost two weeks.

before the tonsillectomy, my kid was tired all time despite sleeping (well, maybe being in bed) for 13 hours (as a 5 year old). he was waking up two times a night to pee or because of a bad dream. He didn't want to participate in activities and was generally grumpy. Our lives were ruled by his sleep schedule and he often times didn't see his dad because he was in bed by 6pm. We had to say "no" to almost every offer of evening activities because we had to have him asleep by 6. His grandparents could not handle this and caused some legit tension. After the surgery, he sleeps 11 hours a night. wants to be involved in activities. can go to bed late one night and not be a mess for days. He is so pleasant to be around. I'm almost tearing up thinking about how bound to a 6pm bedtime we used to be.

[Anonymous]

Pp again, pretty common belief among doctors that the surgery is over performed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/what-tonsillectomies-tell-us-about-the-future-of-health-care/2012/04/25/gIQAt2pHhT_blog.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:best decision we ever made.

Stay ahead of the pain meds.
The recovery took a full 2 weeks before my son was feeling mostly normal.

Days 2 and 3 were tough and then close to day 10 because the scabs were falling off.

warm drinks were soothing--he drank barely warm hot chocolate for almost two weeks.

before the tonsillectomy, my kid was tired all time despite sleeping (well, maybe being in bed) for 13 hours (as a 5 year old). he was waking up two times a night to pee or because of a bad dream. He didn't want to participate in activities and was generally grumpy. Our lives were ruled by his sleep schedule and he often times didn't see his dad because he was in bed by 6pm. We had to say "no" to almost every offer of evening activities because we had to have him asleep by 6. His grandparents could not handle this and caused some legit tension. After the surgery, he sleeps 11 hours a night. wants to be involved in activities. can go to bed late one night and not be a mess for days. He is so pleasant to be around. I'm almost tearing up thinking about how bound to a 6pm bedtime we used to be.

Oh! and right or wrong, the familial tension has eased because we can ease up about bedtimes....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pp again, pretty common belief among doctors that the surgery is over performed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/what-tonsillectomies-tell-us-about-the-future-of-health-care/2012/04/25/gIQAt2pHhT_blog.html

IS this still the trend your article seems to be a bit dated? and which pp are you?

[Anonymous]

I had both removed as a child in the mid-90s. One of the easier surgeries I've been through. Totally worth it. The ear infections and strep stopped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp again, pretty common belief among doctors that the surgery is over performed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/what-tonsillectomies-tell-us-about-the-future-of-health-care/2012/04/25/gIQAt2pHhT_blog.html

IS this still the trend your article seems to be a bit dated? and which pp are you?

You can do a google search. Plenty of articles about how it is usually not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't want to hear my story as my child almost died from a hemorrhage. Be well aware of all the risks and only do the surgery if it is 100% necessary.

My son had abnormally large tonsils and snored like all get out. After an initial recc. from a private ent that they should come out, my surgeon dh took him to Hopkins to be evaluated. DH regarded it as an unnecessary surgery and Hopkins ENT agreed. DS was about 4 at the time, and four years later, he's grown into his tonsils.

Your surgeon husband was afraid of this type of surgery?

Thought it was unnecessary and not worth the risk of putting a kid under anesthesia.

Except when the kid keeps getting strep and has sleep apnea. It is a better option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp again, pretty common belief among doctors that the surgery is over performed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/what-tonsillectomies-tell-us-about-the-future-of-health-care/2012/04/25/gIQAt2pHhT_blog.html

IS this still the trend your article seems to be a bit dated? and which pp are you?

You can do a google search. Plenty of articles about how it is usually not necessary.

No thanks. We did what you did and had a second opinion--both doctors said "yes" and both doctors are notorious for saying "no". I'm just not sure posting an article is helpful.