Would you go through with a tonsillectomy for this kid?

[Anonymous]

I would say do it, and also it's so much better to get it done while young. One of my co-workers just had to get hers out (she's mid 30s) and had like 3 weeks of recovery! When I got mine out in first grade, I think I had a long weekend off lol.

[Anonymous]

Yes. We did it when DD was in 2nd grade for sleep apnea and repeat strep infections and did not regret it. Her sleep improved measurably and ADHD-like mood and behavior symptoms resolved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 years old, snores lightly in his sleep and has for at least 2 years. A sleep study revealed “mild obstructive sleep apnea” - it showed him having 1-2 apnea events per hour (for a child, apparently even 1 is not normal). The ENT says his tonsils are a 3 on the size scale (which goes from 1-4). But he’s not getting sick a ton or anything. He’s never had strep in his life. We mostly investigated this because his dad his sleep apnea and I know snoring isn’t normal. He DOES have more tantrums/little outbursts than his sister did at this age (…possibly indicative of poor quality sleep?), but I don’t know that it’s anything way out of the norm - maybe like 3-4 meltdowns a week? I do definitely sometimes feel like he’s overtired.

The ENT at children’s says “I think he is a good candidate for this surgery; if it was my kid, I would have the surgery. But it’s up to you, I’m not pushing you into surgery.” We are really torn! I’m very hesitant to have any kind of surgery done on a 4 year old, for obvious reasons. But if it’s going to continue to be an issue, do we need to just go ahead and do it? Thoughts / advice very welcome - thanks

Which doctor do you have at Children's?

[Anonymous]

No. My grandfather was a doctor and did not recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it only gets worse.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

So glad this thread popped up. Going to get a referral for sleep study at children’s (any other recommendations?) as my kid checks all the boxes - increased bed wetting, attitude, adhd symptoms and snoring.

[Anonymous]

My DD was 4 when she had tonsils out for sleep apnea / strep. It was a relatively easy recovery. She’d just turned 4 because the ENT suggested waiting to age 4 so she could better understand what happened, why pain meds were needed etc but I was 7 months pregnant and we wanted to fit it in after her 4th bday and before her sister arrived. The mouth breathing and snoring improved, the bedwetting continued for years. I’d do it…she had a major growth spurt right after the surgery and I’m convinced it was related to getting better sleep. Also, for my SIL who had hers out as an adult, the recovery seemed way worse.

[Anonymous]

As an adult I saw an ENT who put a camera down my throat and told me the tonsils were super bad and unquestionably needed to come out but he had retired from any surgery. So I found an ENT surgeon. He doesn’t use the camera. He peered in my mouth and said “eh they look a little large and if you want them out I’ll do”. After the surgery he told me “Jesus those were bad; really inflamed; good thing we took them out”. So getting a couple opinions here isn’t a bad idea.