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Tonsillectomy Questions
sarahdear posted:
Has anyone gone through a tonsillectomy with their children yet? I know I had one when I was 4 but all I remember about it was that I played with a toy shopping cart in the hallway at the hospital, and that my mom stayed with me in my room in a murphy-style bed that came out of the wall.
So, DD's pediatrician had mentioned/asked about her tonsils at both her 2 year & now her 3 yr appt & said it was up to us but he'd do an ENT referral if we wanted, or if we wanted to wait he was OK w/ that but if they looked the same at her 4 yr appt he'd kind of insist on the referral. Well we went to the referral today, mostly b/c if she has to have the surgery I want to do it while it's still free medical in case DH retires in a year & a half when he hits 20 years.
He asked about her symptoms which all we've noticed are the large tonsils, the mouth breathing, the snoring. He said if we go through with the surgery she'll have to stay home for 2 weeks, so that's our big sticking point at the moment, having the opportunity for someone to take 2 weeks off to stay home with her. Is the full 2 weeks necessary? Her teacher told me that her firends DD had it done and stayed home just over 1 week. Obviously we will stay wither as much as needed just wondering if it would be a full 2 weeks.
Also he mentioned other symptoms that sound a lot like my DS, which include bed wetting, hyperactivity, getting in trouble at school, etc in addition to the snoring & mouth breathing, but the pedi has never mentioned his tonsils. I think I'm going to take him in to see if he can get a referral to the ENT and ask about him.
If it turns out to be suggested for him as well, would I be crazy to have them both done at the same time or say a day apart? It's just between my grad school & DH being the head insructor at his school where his class schedules are opposite mine we are hard pressed to have a solid 2 weeks that either one of us could take off.
Anybody done this yet? Suggestions?
So, DD's pediatrician had mentioned/asked about her tonsils at both her 2 year & now her 3 yr appt & said it was up to us but he'd do an ENT referral if we wanted, or if we wanted to wait he was OK w/ that but if they looked the same at her 4 yr appt he'd kind of insist on the referral. Well we went to the referral today, mostly b/c if she has to have the surgery I want to do it while it's still free medical in case DH retires in a year & a half when he hits 20 years.
He asked about her symptoms which all we've noticed are the large tonsils, the mouth breathing, the snoring. He said if we go through with the surgery she'll have to stay home for 2 weeks, so that's our big sticking point at the moment, having the opportunity for someone to take 2 weeks off to stay home with her. Is the full 2 weeks necessary? Her teacher told me that her firends DD had it done and stayed home just over 1 week. Obviously we will stay wither as much as needed just wondering if it would be a full 2 weeks.
Also he mentioned other symptoms that sound a lot like my DS, which include bed wetting, hyperactivity, getting in trouble at school, etc in addition to the snoring & mouth breathing, but the pedi has never mentioned his tonsils. I think I'm going to take him in to see if he can get a referral to the ENT and ask about him.
If it turns out to be suggested for him as well, would I be crazy to have them both done at the same time or say a day apart? It's just between my grad school & DH being the head insructor at his school where his class schedules are opposite mine we are hard pressed to have a solid 2 weeks that either one of us could take off.
Anybody done this yet? Suggestions?
Sarah 31, DH 37, George 5, Danielle 3
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Tonsillectomy QuestionsHas anyone gone through a tonsillectomy with their children yet? I know I had one when I was 4 but all I remember about it was that I played with a toy shopping cart in the hallway at the hospital, and that my mom stayed with me in my room in a murphy-style bed that came out of the wall.<br /> <br />So, DD's pediatrician had mentioned/asked about her tonsils at both her 2 year & now her 3 yr appt & said it was up to us but he'd do an ENT referral if we wanted, or if we wanted to wait he was OK w/ that but if they looked the same at her 4 yr appt he'd kind of insist on the referral. Well we went to the referral today, mostly b/c if she has to have the surgery I want to do it while it's still free medical in case DH retires in a year & a half when he hits 20 years. <br /> <br />He asked about her symptoms which all we've noticed are the large tonsils, the mouth breathing, the snoring. He said if we go through with the surgery she'll have to stay home for 2 weeks, so that's our big sticking point at the moment, having the opportunity for someone to take 2 weeks off to stay home with her. Is the full 2 weeks necessary? Her teacher told me that her firends DD had it done and stayed home just over 1 week. Obviously we will stay wither as much as needed just wondering if it would be a full 2 weeks.<br /><br />Also he mentioned other symptoms that sound a lot like my DS, which include bed wetting, hyperactivity, getting in trouble at school, etc in addition to the snoring & mouth breathing, but the pedi has never mentioned his tonsils. I think I'm going to take him in to see if he can get a referral to the ENT and ask about him. <br /> <br /> If it turns out to be suggested for him as well, would I be crazy to have them both done at the same time or say a day apart? It's just between my grad school & DH being the head insructor at his school where his class schedules are opposite mine we are hard pressed to have a solid 2 weeks that either one of us could take off.<br /> <br />Anybody done this yet? Suggestions?
sarah0323 responded:
All 3 of my boys had their tonsils, adnoids and tubes put in on the same day. If I had to do it again that way I would. I stayed with them until they went back. Then when they brought them out of surgery they put all 3 of them in the same room. Honestly my Dr. never told me that they had to stay home for 2 weeks. They had surgery on a Wednesday and went back to school on Monday (the ones in school anyway). They did lay around for a few hours but by that afternoon I was having major trouble keeping them still. They wouldn't take any pain meds but loved the ice cream part of it. Honestly the youger they are the better.
Me 32,DD 11, DS1 7, DS2 5, DS3 4, DD2 3 months
Report This| Share this:Tonsillectomy QuestionsAll 3 of my boys had their tonsils, adnoids and tubes put in on the same day. If I had to do it again that way I would. I stayed with them until they went back. Then when they brought them out of surgery they put all 3 of them in the same room. Honestly my Dr. never told me that they had to stay home for 2 weeks. They had surgery on a Wednesday and went back to school on Monday (the ones in school anyway). They did lay around for a few hours but by that afternoon I was having major trouble keeping them still. They wouldn't take any pain meds but loved the ice cream part of it. Honestly the youger they are the better.
Stephensmom1214 responded:
We did tonsils and adenoids when DS was 2.5, and it was the best thing we ever did for him, medically. I don't know about 2 full weeks, but DS really felt pretty poorly for about 10 days. Our ENT said the reason for having them rest is because being too active could cause bleeding. I don't think it's necessary to stay home for 2 weeks, but she'll definitely want to take it easy.
Are you taking summer classes? Maybe you could do it as soon as school gets done. Or are there any family members who could come stay with you?
Are you taking summer classes? Maybe you could do it as soon as school gets done. Or are there any family members who could come stay with you?
Patty, Erik, and Stephen (12/14/06)
Report This| Share this:Tonsillectomy QuestionsWe did tonsils and adenoids when DS was 2.5, and it was the best thing we ever did for him, medically. I don't know about 2 full weeks, but DS really felt pretty poorly for about 10 days. Our ENT said the reason for having them rest is because being too active could cause bleeding. I don't think it's necessary to stay home for 2 weeks, but she'll definitely want to take it easy.<br /> <br />Are you taking summer classes? Maybe you could do it as soon as school gets done. Or are there any family members who could come stay with you?
Haylen_WebMD_Staff responded:
Do you have family or friends that can help you out if 2 weeks (or more) of recovery is needed? I know when I got mine out (granted, that was 40 years ago) I got an infection and misses a month of school. My mom said she's never smelled such horrible bad breath!!!
Here's a WebMD article from January that reads, in part:
Most children who get repeated throat infections probably don't need surgery to remove their tonsils and would improve in time with careful monitoring -- new guidelines also suggest, however, that removal of the tonsils, or tonsillectomy, may improve problems tied to poor sleep , including bed-wetting, slow growth, hyperactive behavior, and poor school performance.
Click here for the whole post: New Guidelines for Tonsillectomies
Also, click link to read What to expect after a tonsillectomy :
A child having a tonsillectomy may feel "out of sorts" for a period of a week to 10 days. But if the child is feeling well enough, there is no need to restrict his or her activity or to keep the child at home after the first few days.
Let us know what you decide to do!
Haylen
Here's a WebMD article from January that reads, in part:
Most children who get repeated throat infections probably don't need surgery to remove their tonsils and would improve in time with careful monitoring -- new guidelines also suggest, however, that removal of the tonsils, or tonsillectomy, may improve problems tied to poor sleep , including bed-wetting, slow growth, hyperactive behavior, and poor school performance.
Click here for the whole post: New Guidelines for Tonsillectomies
Also, click link to read What to expect after a tonsillectomy :
A child having a tonsillectomy may feel "out of sorts" for a period of a week to 10 days. But if the child is feeling well enough, there is no need to restrict his or her activity or to keep the child at home after the first few days.
Let us know what you decide to do!
Haylen
Report This| Share this:Tonsillectomy QuestionsDo you have family or friends that can help you out if 2 weeks (or more) of recovery is needed? I know when I got mine out (granted, that was 40 years ago) I got an infection and misses a month of school. My mom said she's never smelled such horrible bad breath!!! <br /><br />Here's a WebMD article from January that reads, in part:<br /><br /><b><i>Most children who get repeated throat infections probably don't need surgery to remove their <a href="http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-tonsils">tonsils</a> </i></b> <b>and would improve in time with careful monitoring<i> -- new guidelines also suggest, however, that removal of the tonsils, or tonsillectomy, may improve problems tied to poor <a href="http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/default.htm">sleep</a> , including bed-wetting, slow growth, hyperactive behavior, and poor school performance.</i></b><br /><br />Click here for the whole post: <a href="http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20110102/new-guidelines-on-when-kids-need-tonsillectomies">New Guidelines for Tonsillectomies</a> <br /><br />Also, click link to read <a href="http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tonsillectomy-for-strep-throat">What to expect after a tonsillectomy</a> : <br /><br /><i><b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://A%20child%20having%20a%20tonsillectomy%20may%20feel%20%22out%20of%20sorts%22%20for%20a%20period%20of%20a%20week%20to%2010%20days.%20But%20if%20the%20child%20is%20feeling%20well%20enough,%20there%20is%20no%20need%20to%20restrict%20his%20or%20her%20activity%20or%20to%20keep%20the%20child%20at%20home%20after%20the%20first%20few%20days.">A child having a tonsillectomy may feel "out of sorts" for a period of a week to 10 days. But if the child is feeling well enough, there is no need to restrict his or her activity or to keep the child at home after the first few days.</a> </b></i><br /><br />Let us know what you decide to do! <br /><br />Haylen
Stephensmom1214 replied to Haylen_WebMD_Staff's response:
Interesting. We had DS's taken out because he was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. He was and IS almost never sick. But he felt pretty poorly for about 10-14 days...
Patty, Erik, and Stephen (12/14/06)
Report This| Share this:Tonsillectomy QuestionsInteresting. We had DS's taken out because he was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. He was and IS almost never sick. But he felt pretty poorly for about 10-14 days...
peachteach1 responded:
Both of my kids had both toncils and adnoids out. Both kids were sick alot and now DD is rarely sick and Sam does not get as sick as he used to or as often. Each year gets better and better for him.
If I had to do it again I would in a heartbeat.
Both kids stayed out for 10-14 days each. the first week is the most important due to the possibility of bleeding, which can occur in the 2nd week. The first day or two are not too bad and the rest of the first week is the pits. Then the real recovery begins and once they can eat more they tend to do better.
If both kids need to have this done I woudl bite the bullet and do both the same day. Recovery stinks either way and I would rather go through it once rather than twice. Also, if one sees the other is miserable then he/she will be more reluctant or cooperative.
P.S. this is how Sam got is hand held game machine....it kept him super occupied as quiet activities are needed during recovery. Lots of TV, ice cream/popcicles (not red or purple though), and games. I would imagine once they are feeling better they might be willing to keep each other company during recovery.
If I had to do it again I would in a heartbeat.
Both kids stayed out for 10-14 days each. the first week is the most important due to the possibility of bleeding, which can occur in the 2nd week. The first day or two are not too bad and the rest of the first week is the pits. Then the real recovery begins and once they can eat more they tend to do better.
If both kids need to have this done I woudl bite the bullet and do both the same day. Recovery stinks either way and I would rather go through it once rather than twice. Also, if one sees the other is miserable then he/she will be more reluctant or cooperative.
P.S. this is how Sam got is hand held game machine....it kept him super occupied as quiet activities are needed during recovery. Lots of TV, ice cream/popcicles (not red or purple though), and games. I would imagine once they are feeling better they might be willing to keep each other company during recovery.
Report This| Share this:Tonsillectomy QuestionsBoth of my kids had both toncils and adnoids out. Both kids were sick alot and now DD is rarely sick and Sam does not get as sick as he used to or as often. Each year gets better and better for him.<br /> <br />If I had to do it again I would in a heartbeat.<br /> <br />Both kids stayed out for 10-14 days each. the first week is the most important due to the possibility of bleeding, which can occur in the 2nd week. The first day or two are not too bad and the rest of the first week is the pits. Then the real recovery begins and once they can eat more they tend to do better.<br /> <br />If both kids need to have this done I woudl bite the bullet and do both the same day. Recovery stinks either way and I would rather go through it once rather than twice. Also, if one sees the other is miserable then he/she will be more reluctant or cooperative.<br /> <br />P.S. this is how Sam got is hand held game machine....it kept him super occupied as quiet activities are needed during recovery. Lots of TV, ice cream/popcicles (not red or purple though), and games. I would imagine once they are feeling better they might be willing to keep each other company during recovery.
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