Son Getting Tonsils and Adenoids Out-suggestions?

Our 5 yo did fine when he had his out. The best thing I was told was to USE his pain meds and not wait until it starts hurting. We used the tylenol they gave us for the 1st 5 days or so.

My 8 yo had hers out 3 weeks ago. Baked potato soup was a big hit, macaroni and cheese cooked soft, mashed potatoes after a few days - I think the patotoes got stuck against the wound in the first few days and were hard to swallow. She ate more popsicles in one week than she did all last summer, lol. Nausea wasn't an issue for us, but they gave us nausea meds just in case. Biggest thing was to keep up on the meds. She got the tylenol with codeine at night before bed and in the morning for about 5 days, day 1 & 2 she also got it during the day a couple times. If you let the meds wear off then he'll be very uncomfortable until the next dose kicks in. Get lots of arts/crafts, he won't be able to run around for a couple weeks. Physical activity leads to heavy breathing which can dry out the incision and cause bleeding, so no physical activity for a couple weeks - this was the hardest part for us.

She was out of school for a week, by the end of the first week she was driving us nutty (hubby & I work from home) because she was so bored and couldn't go outside and run around. She was really back to normal in about a week, although was on restricted activity for two weeks.

My husband really liked mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs after his were out. He did get sick the 1st night, but it could be just him. When my sister was little she had popsicles and ice cream.

My child loved tapioca, rice both fried and white, rice pudding, mashed and baked potatoes, lightly buttered noodles or noodles with light dab of basil pesto for flavor, unseasoned refried beans, sorbet, ice pops, slushies, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and cream of wheat.

If they haven't told you already, no dairy products, including ice cream. It causes too much phlegm and complications after surgery. So the days of the old school way of ice cream on demand are over. :( Also avoid sharp, crunchy, crusty, spicy or acidic foods, as these can irritate the esophogus or injure the surgery site.

Before surgery day, I'd stock up on the foods and lots of movies, books, video games, or whatever will keep him calm, quiet and resting in bed or on a couch. It will save you time, and he won't have to make any stops with you after the surgery.

The first day or so after surgery they usually don't want to do anything at all. It's the following week or so until you get the all clear that's the real challenge when it comes to keep them from doing too much.

Also keep in mind around days 6-9, some kids have bleeding. This is when the scab comes off and bleeding can happen sometimes. Minimal bleeding is okay. If its substantial or sooner than 6-9 days, you'll probably be advised to come in.

They usually prescribe Codeine. I made the mistake of not using it after day 2 because he said he felt fine without it. I didn't want to give him something like that if he felt fine and almost got rid of it! Thank goodness I didn't because by the end of that day, he relapsed (pain) AND had all of this excess phlegm he didn't have before. I called the doc all panicked and was told Codeine also calms the phlegm and inflammation and to continue giving it according to the doctors instructions on the bottle...even if he felt better. His pain and phlegm were gone by the next day, but per the doctor's orders we used the prescript until it was gone which was for a total of about 4 or 5 days (can't remember for sure). So be sure to use it, even if they say they feel fine. It does seem to make them sleepy, but I guess that's okay considering they should be resting.

My kids both had them done at 3 and 4. Let him choose some of his favorite popsicles and soft foods. We loved making them with Smart Water and juice. The biggest problem is keeping them hydrated and full after the second day. Smart Water was recommended by our nurse for us, small sipes every half an hour that first day. It also helps flush his system from the meds . Nausea was not a problem for either child. Keep taking the meds when prescribed and on time. You need to stay on top of it and not get behind. Your child will not remember the procedure or post-op time, this is a good thing for them. My daughter love babyfood mixed with baby oatmeal, fruits only. It filed her tummy and she loved mixing it. (Baby Oatmeal mixed well with cold things). You can also use applesauce.

Let him choose things before hand so that he is looking forward to eating those things. Focus him on what he gets to have instead of what he can't have.

Hope this helps,
K.

our dd 2yo had hers done in October she too had the trifecta. She ate Welche's fruit snacks and pretzels and drank lots of powerade (sugarfree) no aspathime (sp). She too threw up the first day. that was more of the surgery meds. It took her about three weeks to be at 90%. The surgery is very quick, stay on top of his meds it will help with the pain. DD did not get loopy she was very cuddly and dozed for about an hour after her doses. He will be fine follow his lead our nurse told us to offer salty snacks so she would drink that is the most important. gl

How old. Then I might be able to help.