Tonsils/Adenoids to be removed and Ear Tubes

We took Matthew to the Ear, Nose, Throat specialist today and found out he needs his tonsils and adenoids out plus ear tubes.

I was prepared for the tubes but completely surprised by the tonsil/adenoid removal. Turns out his ear problem is actually more of a tonsil/adenoid problem. His tonsils and mostly his adenoids are enlarged and pushing on his ear tube. This is what is causing him to build up sticky fluid in his ear that won't drain. He really hasn't had a ton of ear infections (although he has had his share) it was more about the fact his fluid wasn't draining and becoming thicker and more golden.

I could have opted out of the tonsils since there haven't been tonsil infections and it is the worst part of the surgery to recover from. However, the doctor said based on the size of his tonsils there is a good chance he'd have problems later which would mean another surgery down the road. So I opted to have it all done now.

So what am I in for?

 

I am in the middle of another tonsil infection. So I hope hes not feeling what I am right now. Its better to remove them while there younger. I know at my age I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER SURGERY!

Best wishes

 

Jon has his tonsils and adenoids out when he was a month over 3. He had very little problems. The big things are lots of ices--not ice cream, and keep him hydrated. Most complications are due to dehydration. Jon was cleared to a regular diet at one week post op--we just needed to stay with things that weren't super crispy.

 

As for the tubes & adenoids, they didn't have any problems.. One of them had REALLY smelly breath for what seemed like weeks, but it eventually went away. They didn't have any pain or anything, though. Claire did have a horrible time waking up from the anesthesia. She literally cried & had little rage sessions for an HOUR. That was really the worst part of the whole thing. Cate didn't have any problems waking up, she was just kind of sleepy & cuddly.

We opted to wait on the tonsils, and they are already saying they need to have them out because they are enlarged. Our ENT says that is what's causing the apnea episodes & snoring Claire has. We're not completely sold on the idea, since that's also what he said about the adenoids - and it didn't help anything.

I hope Matthew's surgery goes well, and wish him a speedy recovery.

 

I can tell you, after Jon had his surgery, he stopped snoring, druelling, and his nose stopped running. He also started to eat more, and grew 4 inches in the 6 months following his surgery. It was the best thing for him. He also had trouble waking up, but I had left his blankies in his crib, and once he saw them, he settled right down.

 

Both of my kids had hypertrophic tonsils/adenoids. Jackson's were so large that they were considered 4+ on both sides. We already had a surgery date scheduled when he got strep and this throat swelled shut (yes, ER trip). Our biggest issue with Jackson was constipation from the anesthesia and pain meds. We ended up being prescribed Miralax (it was not at the time, but it now an OTC stool softener/laxative). Jaydon, however, had some complications, but not with constipation. We ensured we were proactive in preventing that from happening. Like Sharon, this was a life-changing surgery for my kids. Jackson was able to eat foods that he was never able to eat prior to the surgery, and he gained 5 pounds in 4 months. When Jaydon recovered, his 14+ apnea episodes per night ceased. He has gained 6 pounds since February.

Here is a list of the benefits for my boys:

weight gain/height growth
ability to eat all foods/textures
sleeping soundly with NO night waking - prior to surgery both would get up 2-3 times per night
no more snoring/mouth breathing
no more bad breath (my boys had terrible breath. those tonsils were harboring a lot of bacteria)
no more drooling
allergies resolved (Jackson)
no sore throats

My DH will be having his tonsils/adenoids out at some point in 2008.

 

My oldest, Justin, had all of it done at age 4. The first couple of days were a little rough for him but the benefits were numerous!

Very few ear infections since, and he is now 10!
No more snoring.
No more bedwetting!!(The doctor told us this might happen!)
No night waking.(He used to be up wandering the house all night!)

I wish Justin would have had it done sooner than he did. Good luck!!

 

Patrick had his adnoieds and tonsils removed just after he turned four. This was the best decision we could have made because before the surgery, we had a lot of issues with him - snoring, talking in sleep, sleep apnea, drool, runny nose constant cold and major behavioral problems. He would do things constantly that he knew was wrong like hitting, etc. i felt like i was always disciplining him. After he had his tonsils out, HE WAS A TOTAL DIFFERENT CHILD. He slept better, his behavior changed, less issues. I had people that knew us ask what i did to calm my child because everyone thought he had ADHD! It was a huge answer for us. Very succesful surgery. His down time was maybe a week but not a lot of pain. Very good recovery. Best of luck!

 

Thanks so much for all the encouragement. I just recently read somewhere this might help his sinus/allergy problems. I didn't know that prior to scheduling his surgery. He has been miserable this year with allergy/sinus problems. His eyes have been almost swollen shut and his nose runs constantly, we have tried everything on the market (prescription and OTC) but nothing has helped. It is great news that the surgery may fix that.

 

Hayley had her tonsils and adenoids out last August. She has stopped snoring and drooling. She also had apnea problems that have gone away. I didn't think about the drooling until reading the posts here. She did good with the surgery. Our doctor didn't let her out of the house for 7 days and then no running and jumping around for another week. She did have some pain. We had to get another prescription for her pain. Good luck with everything.

 

Tomorrow Bryan will be having surgery to remove his tonsil, adenoids and tubes put in. My poor son needs this surgery he can not sleep at night, his breathing is really bad. Brianna had the same thing done like 3 years ago and its been a blessing. I just hope and pray that Bryan does as good as she did.

 

my dd had hers removed at almost the same age. the worst part was her being put to sleep. i had the option of hoding her while they knowcked her out, whatever you do, don't do this!!! it is a vision that i will never forget and that she will never remember!!!!! when she was home we followed the instructions from the ENT and everthing was fine. they told us that the 7th and 11th day (or something like that) would be worse and they were. we gave her the pain meds and she did fine. make sure that you stock up on italian ice (it doesn't make them as mucussy (SP)!! and on coloring books, movies, etc.... i found that if i took out something everyday, for example, day one we just hung out and watched movies in my bed, day two we colored and watched movies, day three we moved to the couch and played with barbies, day four we went to the dining room table playedwith playdooh, you get the picture. they sleep alot because of the meds. after about 2 weeks she was 100%.

 

The boys had their adnoids and tubes done at 18 months and I am so glad they did! No more ear infections, snoring, or breathing problems. They did not have their tonsills done at the time, but since have had some issues and we may have to consider it in the future, right now we are in the "wait and see what happens" mode. My oldest is almost 15 and she is scheduled to have her tonsills done Friday at Akron Childrens. We have a wonderful ENT there and she has prepared us, it is not as easy at that age versus when they are younger, so if you think it needs done, I would do it now.

 

My ds got his done right after he turned 4. His adenoids and tonsils were so enlarged (he called them a 5 on a scale of 1-4). They were acutally overlapping each other!!! I feel so bad for not noticing earlier!! The one thing I will tell you is to stay on top of the pain meds for the first couple of days...even wake them for it. That will help with them not getting dehydrated bc of not eating/drinking. Popsicles were my ds's favorite. My ds had absolutely no pain on the day of surgery (he actually at an ENTIRE happy meal from McDonalds on the way home from the hospital!!!). That night I was too afraid to wake him to give him meds and I wish I would have!! He did get sick that first night from coughing so hard. He also got a pretty high fever that night which I was told was very common. But he has NO sleep apnea now and no snoring (I actually have checked to make sure he is still breathing bc he is so quiet). His voice sounds a little different but I am used to it now!!!

Good luck and its not really that bad, the first week is the worst though!!