2 Year Old Needs Adenoids removed....Mom Is for Surgery, Dad Is Against It

Around age 4 my son had tubes and his adenoids removed and it was the easiest thing ever. His dr said he would be recovering for about 2 days but the minute we walked out of the hospital he was back to bouncing around like normal. he had his removed because of ear infections that effected his speech and so far no problems since.

ALL body parts are in our body for a reason. I don't know if your husband is aware of this or being stubborn or just has a "gut" feeling but the reasons adenoids get enlarged is because they are fighting off infection. If you remove them, or the tonsils, you are simply opening up another can of worms.

The issue at this point is what is causing them to be enlarged (no one has abnormally large one. There are several ways to build the immune system and help them shrink back to their normal size. Most kids don't realize what the removal of these organs do. I had my tonsils out as an adult...wish I hadn't....and my life really changed. Granted the strep throat infections went away but all of a sudden everytime I got a little irritated throat I would loose my voice because the infection went into my larynx....as a salesperson that was awful.....As a mother, it is worse!

If this gets you to thinking or if you want more info, please PM me. Building the immune system is VERY simple. It does require a little information and some discipline but ANY mother is capable of doing it.

Hope this information helps!

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

This seems to be the new "IT" surgery. For most it is completely unnecessary. My daughter had hers out because the ENT said they were 'infected', large, causing her voice to be nasally, and she snored. Well... after Nursing school - I researched it and found out the adenoids and tonsils are the FIRST line of defense for the immune system - hence why they tend to get infected - they are stopping dangerous bacteria from traveling farther into the child's system. Unless the child has a really soft palate AND overly large adenoids... size isn't that huge of an issue (think sleep apnea). My daughter's voice has not changed since her surgery 4 years ago - neither has her snoring.

Personally, I'd get a second opinion... surgery isn't something to do lightly.

Surgery is a last resort. The adenoids have a purpose... protecting your childs' respiratory system. Surgery may wind up being necessary but 1st try alternatives. Chiropractic and acupuncture have both had great successs with children that thought they'd need surgery and it was just their bodies were out of balance. Both of these techniques are non invasive. Be sure to seek out someone that works with children. Our body has the potential to heal if we remove the interference preventing the healing from occuring. Removal of a body part is permanent. Best wishes to you and your daughter.

Hi--
Have you had your child tested for food allergies? Often times glands swelling for no apparent reason is due to allergies. It's usually not associated, so the child ends up having surgery. It is possible to fix the problem without surgery. If you are interested in learning more, I'm happy to talk to you about it.
Good luck with your decision!
J.

Maybe your ex should talk to the ENT?

Put the words baby and surgery together and you get fear. Has your ex been included in the medical appointments, etc.? If not, then he would hesitate cause he doesn't have all the facts. He needs to hear the facts and recommendations from the professionals instead of from his ex-wife (they don't have a "relationship" with him) so he can process it and be ready to deal with it. He may feel the need for a 2nd opinion just to be sure, which is ok.

My son's were removed when he was 9 mos. old. He would snore so loud that we could hear him clear in the front room with his nursery door closed! It was miraculous the change it made. He used to have dark circles under his eyes, was always sleepy and the snoring was so bad it made everyone in the house worried about him. I say go for it. My little guy is now a little over 3, and he does still snore, but not very loud and not all the time. Best of luck!

My own were taken out when I was four (ages ago, obviously!) - but not before there was damage to my eardrum causing a bit of hearing loss in that ear! I was put in the hospital for a week beforehand to get the infection down before they could do the surgery -- from what I've heard, I spent a lot of time sick before they were removed (T&A). To this day, if I pay attention, I can notice I'll turn my head slightly when eating and swallowing - presume it's still a long holdover from all those years ago when the darn things were in the way!

Get it done - it's easier on young ones than it is later!

My son's adenoids were removed when he was 18 months old. It was a terrifying experience for me and his father, but he did GREAT! I had told him that when he got out of the surgery, we would go to McDonalds -- a big treat for him because we never went there.

When he opened his eyes after the surgery, I was so afraid that he was in pain, but he looked at me and smiled and asked, "can I have french fries now?"

He's 41 years old now and one of the healthiest people I know! Removing his adenoids made a HUGE difference in his health :)

Good luck!

Yes, my son had his adnoids removed and tubes put in, it greatly increased his ability to sleep and ours! It stopped him from being terribly congested when he got sick and pretty much all the time. I hate to say this, but no one says you both have to agree to have it done.

Yes, absolutely...it will increase her quality of life. my 14yr old had his adenoids and tonsils removed when he was 1 1/2. He had sleep apnea and would just stop breathing for long periods of time. I too was so sad and afraid for him. I was very reluctant because of the risk, but it was totally worth it. Sometime they will have complications because they are so little. You have to just be strong and go for it. Because you will see improvement right away. My son had not snored, stop breathing since the surgery. The baby may not want to eat or talk for a while because of the pain. My son had blood coming from his nose and mouth, but yours is just getting his adenoids removed...so maybe a little blood from the nose. My son used to be sick with tonsilitis every other month. Now, he's rarely sick.

Good Luck!

I just saw a case on the news last night where a little girl had to have her tonsils removed b/c she had sleep apnea. She had moments during the night where she stopped breathing b/c she was snoring so bad. I know the term *surgery* is always scary for a parent, but I would agree that it should be done. Getting Dad on board is probably going to be tough if he is so against it. Did he go to the Dr appt. ? Sometimes it's better if they hear it from someone else. Side note- I had my tonsils out when I was 5,
(not sure why? lol) and everything went well.. Blessings-

.

My son had his tonsils and adenoids out soon as he turned 4.
They weren't infected - they were just huge to the point where his tonsils almost touched across the back of his throat.
It was the best thing we ever did.
He could eat/drink/swallow, sleep and breathe with no difficulties.
The snoring was gone and because his quality of sleep improved so much, he no longer had dark circles under his eyes all the time.
Oh, and I had mine out when I was 5.
The only thing new about it is it doesn't mean an over night in the hospital anymore.
We just have very large tonsils in our family.

This is the same guy that wanted to put her up for adoption for acid reflux and wanted to put her in daycare on his days? Is there a way to go around him? Did you have to get 50/50 custody? I remembered you had another post about custody. I would have your ex talk to the doctor about what could happen if she didn't get the surgery. To me, that would be scary that she has something that is obstructing her airway. Personally, if he was against it and fighting me I'd take him to court, but that's because this is serious and improves her breathing, the very fiber of her staying alive besides food and water, ya know. You have great experiences on here, but your ex should be okay with it because his flesh and blood needs an obstruction removed from her airway. No offense, but with your past posts I kinda think he's a jerk. Especially since she's breathing heavy even when she's chillin she needs it done.

Ha! I hear you sista.. Our daughter needed this surgery and it changed our lives and our daughters. She slept so much better once they were gone. Anytime a person can get good quality sleep it is a good thing. She actually had this along with the tubes placed in her ears.

My husband was not interested, but I made the final decision.

I asked my MIL to come and take care of her son.. She came with a Valium. He made it through to procedure and of course our daughter did great too! Hee, hee. She was drowsy and a little clingy. But she bounced back very quickly.

I hope my experience helps your husband. My 3 year old just had her tonsils & adenoids taken out 2 weeks ago. She was born with enlarged tonsils and has been a noisy sleeper since the day she was born. She rarely gets sick and never had tonsillitis so I didn't see the reason why she should have surgery. Even after two pediatricians and two pediatric ENT specialists suggested she have surgery, I was still against it.

Although it is a routine procedure, it is different when it is your own child and I didn't want her to go through it if it wasn't necessary (of course my own traumatic experience as a child didn't help.) I finally accepted the inevitable, but I just wanted to wait until after her 3rd birthday. The surgery was textbook and my daughter did great and recovered much more quickly that I expected. Kids are so resilient!

The doctor told us that when she was on the operating table the tonsils completely obstucted her airway which scared me! Then I wondered why I let my fear delay something that was so obviously necessary.

So, my advice is to talk to your ex, find out what he is thinking and go from there. It is probably irrational fear keeping him from saying no. I agree with another post that he should also speak to the specialist so he can ask questions. Although I believe that tonsils are there for a reason - to fight infections, sometimes surgery is necessary.

Good luck and I hope it all works out!

My daughter went her first year with not so much as a cough. But after her 1st birthday she had several bouts of ear infections and tonsillities. At age 3, they took out the tonsils & the adnoids and put in ear tubes. She is almost 9 and hasn't been sick a day since! Best thing we ever did. The surgery was quick, easy & uneventful. The first day of recovery was hard and uncomfortable and then she was totally fine.

How does she sleep? and is she grouchy during the day? Those would be my 1st 2 questions. Also, 2 things to consider....Is she going to be teased as she gets older for the heavy breathing? And if she grows, will her throat opening grow? So the big adenoids will be less obvious?

Did your husband go with you to the appointment? Maybe he doesn't 'get" it. One of my kids has big adenoids, and he snored at 2. But, the ENT said he may need to have them removed, but, he grew out of it.

So, my husband just had to have his tonsils and adenoids removed.... at age 34! The doctors said it was unfortunate, because at his age it is a much more complicated surgery (involves shaving the soft palette as well) and a longer, more painful recovery than if it had been done when he was a kid. I had to take care of the big baby during this recovery and it was NO JOKE!!!!

Also, there are a lot of studies regarding the side effects of enlarged adenoids and the resulting sleep apnea that link those conditions to hypertension, difficulty maintaining a healthy weight, and a host of other problems that my husband has battled for years. Yet another reason I really wish this had been taken care of years and years ago.

Do your daughter a favor, get her the surgery now. There's no point in her suffering because your ex is a pansy.

To be honest, if he even spent 15 minutes educating himself on the subject, I don't see how he could be against it. Sounds like he's being contrary for the sake of opposition. Let him talk to the doctor so he can have a better understanding for the decision you make for the health and welfare of your daughter. (See what I did there?)

My 3 year old daughter had her adenoids removed at 2 yrs old, and I can deftinately tell it has improved the quality of life for her. Prior to the surgery, she snored, was always congested, did not talk very much and ate poorly. After the surgury, we could not even hear her sleep, no congestion, started improving her talking in less than a month (with new words every week), and actually started eating a better variety of food. It was like she was completely a different girl. We could not believe how much the surgery affected her and improved her happiness. I actually think that she could not hear that well when prior to the surgery and that is why she was not communicating back with us verbally. It was amazing to see such a recovery.
The surgery was definately scary to see my little one under anesthesia, but this is honestly a really simple, quick surgery and you will definately improve the happiness of your little girl when she does not have to fight just to breath and always feel like she is sick.
Our daughter did really great with the surgery, and as soon as she was out of the operating room I was able to sit by her side and be with her until we left the hospital the next morning. And I was told that normally they do not keep people having their adenoids removed over night, but on young children they like to watch them just in case.
In a day or two home from the hospital, she was back to normal and eating so much better it was like a completely different girl.
Now the doctor gave us the option to have her tonsils taken out at the same time, because some people choose to have them both removed at the same time (especially when my dad was little in the 60's it was actually a routine procedure). I asked well are they enlarged, causing any obstruction, and the doctor said no. I said well if they start to become a problem in the future, then we will look into that, but otherwise obviously we are given these body parts for a reason and there is no need to remove something that is not causing a problem.
Well I wish you the best in making this decision and the recovery of your little one, hopefully the father will allow to have the surgery and your little girl can start living life without having to fight so hard to breath. Good luck:)

My daughter was 3 and it was tonsils but probably close enough. We did the surgery primarily because it was causing sleep apneia and were told by the ENT it is better to do it before they start school otherwise they are sleep deprived in school and won't learn as well. Surgery went well, home the same day. She was sore for about a week but it just gave here an excuse for popsicles. We are very glad we did it and would do the same thing again. Things we noticed after aside from the snoring going away was that she no longer talked as quietly and started eating a little more.
Good luck with your decision.

I, like your husband, was initially against this surgery for our (now 24 yr old) daughter. However, my long term concern about the almost constant use of antibiotics changed my mind. The hardest part really was doing the pre-surgery blood draws.....when my daughter was in the recovery room she began to cry as soon as she came out of the anesthesia. The nurse kept telling her that as soon as she stopped crying mommy could come in. Finally I told another nurse that it was no use, she would not stop crying UNTIL I was with her. They kept arguing about it until the doctor got tired of listening to her scream - especially because crying is the worst thing....as soon as she lay her eyes on me she smiled and stopped! The recovery was not bad, in a few days she was herself! Except with OUT ear infections! If your ex has not talked directly to the doctor himself, make an appointment for both of you to do so so that the doc can explain things to him rather than you trying to convince him.
Good luck, L

Good lord. Anything that is blocking or obstructing an airway needs attention and removal. She is young, and if not removed now, it could cause a degree of concern in the future. It also will make her feel better, so why the resistance ? I understand being scared of surgery and that she is small,etc...however, it NEEDS to be done. Good for you for being proactive!