My oldest had his removed when he was 4, and we are going to have to do the same with my youngest who is 6 (we are probably a year behind getting it done due to COVID). Similar symptoms for both: enlarged tonsils and adenoids, snoring, terrible quality of sleep. My youngest has also been getting sick a lot this past year. I had the surgery myself when I was 8 and I remember the operating room, the mask, and how much my throat hurt afterward.
As a mom, I was really nervous about my child going under general anesthesia but our ENT and the staff at Children's were wonderful. I walked with my child into the OR (wearing surgical clothes), helped him up on the table, and stood next to him holding his hand when they put the mask on him. He was out within 10 seconds and then I left. I felt some comfort knowing that I was the last thing he saw before he went under. This was pre-Covid, so I'm not sure if any of this is still allowed. The entire procedure only lasted maybe 20-30 minutes. Watching him come out of the anesthesia was a little rough--he was disoriented and combative. It didn't last long, though. He didn't have any post-surgery complications and seemed to be back to his normal self after a few days.
I have no hesitation with my youngest having the procedure. She is meeting with the doctor this week, in fact.