Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy for 4 1/2 year old - Children's Health Message Board

Mommy2Isaiah · 01-09-2004, 04:01 PM

We are all getting over the flu here for anyone that posted to my 4 year old w/the flu thread. However....I have just been to the doctor and was dx'd with bronchitis and an ear infection. I thought I was doing a good job staying away from him (as much as you can with your "baby"

). Isaiah woke up yesterday saying his throat hurt and still did today, too. Here's the problem...he's scheduled for surgery on Tuesday the 13th and they called in one of the "big guns" of antibiotics (Lorbin?)to be on up until surgery time. I'm glad that he's finally getting this done, since he has OSA, we believe. On the other hand, I'm worried about him having an infection of any type come surgery time.

Also I would like to hear from any parents regarding their child's tonsillectomy/adenoidectomies and see how it went for them with recovery time and any other stories you have. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Nicole

Mommyof4 · 01-10-2004, 12:09 PM

3 of my 4 kids are without their adenoids and 2 of those 3 are without their tonsils. It was the best decision as they have not been near as sick since the surgery.

My little ones were 2 and 3 at the time of their surgeries. They could not have anything to eat or drink from midnight the night before so we made sure they ate all of their dinner to keep them going as long as possible. We got in the next morning and they were given a drug called Versed. It is also called the "I dont care" drug as it is for seperation anxiety. It really helped with them being scared before the surgery. It makes them not remember going in and makes them calm when it comes to leaving you. Wonderful stuff!!!

They both got out and were VERY cranky. They told us that it was a reaction to the anesthesia. They had blood coming out of their noses and mouths which happens when they take out the adenoids. I dont want to gross you out with that, just wanted to let you know that its something you might expect. We were told that we could not blow their noses for at least 12 hours as it may release a clot and make them start bleeding. We were also given a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine. I REALLY recommend getting that filled if you get one. They sleep through some of the pain that way.

They both refused to eat for me the first 48 hours. We had popcicles and ice cream but they hurt too bad for it. We were told that eating is not a big thing but drinking is. We were told to force fluids if need be as small children can get really dehydrated when they dont drink.

After the anesthesia finally wore off, they were fine as long as they were left alone and allowed to sleep. They just seemed to be in a really bad mood for the rest of the day. We started with liquids, the next day we moved to soft foods, and 3-4 days after the surgery they were eating normally again.

Good luck to your little one and I HTH

badkat · 01-10-2004, 08:05 PM

My son was just shy of 3 when he had his out, the day he had them out was an absolute blizzard in my area - and the worst part was the recovery. The nurses apologized they weren't able to care for him as they should because they were short staffed. He ended up being admitted overnight. They didn't give him the pain medicine at the right time so when they made him drink - well...it hurt he was in so much pain he couldnt even cry he absolutely shut down. They would open his mouth and forced medcine in, he literally spit it out!!! They had left in his IV's so the doctor said - well, he is being admitted (this was hours of trying him to take something) they put his pain medicine in through his IV overnight the next morning he ate a muffin.

My advise - make sure when it is time to start the drinking part (they told me he had to drink alot before he left) make sure he is on pain med. Other than that this was the best surgery - he hardly ever gets a cold and he is 8 now.

Good LUCK!!!

Mommy2Isaiah · 01-14-2004, 08:16 AM

Well, its done and I can't believe how good he is doing. He threw up ALOT of blood in the hospital and that about made me lose it. He says his throat doesn't hurt (1 day later) and won't take the T3 OR his amox. I'm getting frustrated with that part. I hid his T3 in yogurt and his amox in ice cream, but he ended up not wanting the ice cream. I'm at a loss here. I should have put the amox in the yogurt, since that is more important at this point. He is a little crabby, so I think that his throat does hurt, but he won't tell me for fear of the meds. I am happy with how the procedure went, but holding him down for the first round of anesthesia was horrible. He kicked and was screaming "I'm scared!". He was reaching out for me, and then went limp and then I started crying. Alls well now, so I'm happy. Thanks for the input and I hope that he can sleep through the night and stops getting sick.

Nicole