Tonsils - Denver,CO

HI K., I had both of my boy's tonsils taken out on the same day. One was 7 and one was 5. They did really well, the younger one had a harder time as he was trying to wake up from all the meds.

Lots and lots of popsicles, ice, ect. My boys laid around for 1 week and were fully recovered back to themselves, playing, eating about 1.5 to 2 weeks. I took a week off work (I did daycare at the time) and I am glad I did.

Please feel free to email me with any other questions.

S.

K.~ my daughter had hers out at the age of 4. She did pretty good. She lost quite a bit of weight in the two weeks following the surgery, but her's was a bit more than just tonsils and adenoids so maybe that played into it as well. But keep the popsicles handy, stay away from acidic juices, mashed potatoes were good for getting something a bit more substantial that just liquid. But the doctors will tell you that liquids are the most important, and they are. So, if the solids have to wait, then just keep her hydrated. She'll be fine. Good Luck!

I went through this with my daughter too.
The hospital will inform you of everything. Main thing it to keep her hydrated and calm and not to cry or talk loudly. Typically kids bounce back really well. If your insurance will cover it have her stay overnight, that it the most crucial time that first 24 hours. Otherwise follow the instructions of your Dr. She will be sore, it will hurt, they typically give them something for the pain but it is not horrible and she will be herself within a few days. My daughter was asking for pizza by day five after the fact. Keep lot's of yogurt, ice cream, jello and soft cooler foods on hand. Lot's of gatorade and Pediasure too.
I actually took my daughter to the hospital and showed her where she was having surgery, I explained they would put a mask on her face with air that will help her rest (this can be the most scary for the kids and best to prepare them ahead of time), you can be in there until she is asleep with her and then they will call you when she is coming out of the anesthesia. That is the hardest part, they are disoriented, scared and very out of it. Expect some crying but try to keep her calm and just hold her. The meds wore off within 12 hours after surgery and my daughter then threw up due to the anesthesia upsetting her stomach, so that wasn't good. They gave her some anti nausea meds then and some mild pain relievers. She stayed overnight and I slept on a cot in her room though. It was easier having nurses very handy to help me make her comfortable.

Good luck, she will feel so much better after they are out!!!!

My son did this at 3. The hospital gave him a shot that made him so funny I couldn't quit laughing for an hour. They took him to surgery in a wagon as he waved good-bye. When he woke up he was going crazy...literally. They brought me to his room and he was acting like the hulk...going nuts. It took three nurses to hold him down and they were doing a very poor job of it. One nurse asked if a toy would help, and then I was pissed. My son NEVER threw fits so this was insane for me to handle. He was trying to pull his I.V. out and finally did. I don't mean to scare you, but this does happen I am told. My son was allergic to demerol. When I threw a fit about his reaction they were quick to realize that he was reacting to the demerol and quickly gave him a shot to counter act the reaction. It took a few minutes and then he settled down and went to sleep. I would ask him if he wanted ice cream or a popscile and he wouldn't take it. He just slept. I took him home that night and he did fine. He drank water and didn't want to eat for a couple days, but he did do great. I would say that you need to be prepared to worry, but realize that they will be fine in the end. Children won't starve themselves and your child is old enough to tell you what they want and this is a whole lot better than I had. My child had to go through this because he couldn't talk correctly or even close. This surgery worked wonders for us.

I haven't had any children get their tonsil out, but I have had my own taken when I was 16. I remember being really sore and wanting to eat, but yet not wanting to because my throat hurt. I do remember the doc saying to stay away from the foods and juices that have a red dye or tint to them because if you did start to bleed (which is a complication) they wouldn't know if it was blood or the juice. The advice for popcicles and soft foods is a good one. Just remember that she won't feel like eating or drinking anything because it will make her throat hurt, but she does need it. Good luck and I hope she feels better.
J. (SAHM w/6 kids)

Hey K.,
My daughter had her tonsils out last year at age 5. It was really a positive experience. My biggest piece of advice was one given to me by another mom the day before the surgery and I am forever greatful for it. She said bring a bucket with you in the car just in case she needs to throw up from all the medicine. We made it all the way to our street before we needed it, but I was so thankful I had it with me. We did have one issue, but in the scheme of things it was minor. She had a reaction to the anasthetic. When she woke up from from the surgery she was really belligerent and even after she came home she was incredibly hyper and almost angry. I finally called the pediatrician and he said that was a common response to being under and that I should try to get her to read a book or watch a movie with her while I held her. (Almost in a forced hug). This helped her to calm down and she fell right to sleep. When she woke up the next morning she was her old self. She recovered really quickly. Lots of cold liquids and popcicles. The only thing we discovered was that the things like pudding and milk sometimes made her want to cough, which really wasn't comfortable. Honestly, this was a really positive thing for her. She has been so much healthier since having her tonsils removed. I know having her tonsils out was the right decision.
Happy Healing,
K.