Almost 3 Year Old Son Is Having a Tonsillectomy

My daughter had hers out just before she turned 2. The plan was for her to stay overnight, but she woke up and was able to eat and drink right away. We went right home without any problem. Hope your son does as well. She was snoring, drooling, and having frequent tonsilitis before the surgery.

My daughter was 13, but had her tonsils and adenoids removed. It was day surgery-no overnight. I can tell you to keep the liquid pain med's the Dr. prescribes you and plenty of popsicles on hand! It will look white and yuck in his throat for awhile-that's normal. My daughter had stomach upset and vomiting, which really burned her throat, but they prescribed a stronger-liquid anti-nausea pain med. which helped. When I went to the pharmacy to pick it up, the pharmacist also had special popsicles he had made with lidocaine and juice which she sucked on and helped to numb her throat and were great. (Trinity Pharmacy-Carrollton). She sipped cold water, and juice and popsicles, then moved to jello and soups, etc. It took about 5-7 days and she was eating a slice of pizza! :-x

One of my daughters had her tonsils out at 4 years old because it was affecting her sleep and breathing.

Ours was a day surgery - we went down to Children's in the morning and we were back home by late afternoon. We initially started out in a typical office type waiting room for checking. They gave her the wristbands here, took her vitals and weight. Then after going back to the waiting room for some time, we were called to back and put in a hospital type room. Here we changed into a gown and they gave her "happy juice" which made her quite silly and very relaxed so that they could easily put in the IV for sedation.

A short time later she was taken away for the surgery. When surgery was complete they took us to the recovery room, which had many post op patients lined up "recovering". She had already woken up by the time we got back there and she was crying a little, but I think it was mostly the disorientation of being in that room. The nurse quickly brought her a gift, some pretend jewelry, that made everything okay.

Then we were returned to the hospital room where she was given a popsicle. We were given our instructions and once they were sure she was keeping the popsicle down, we were able to dress and she was wheeled out for discharge.

Recovery went pretty easy, lots of pudding, ice cream and jello for about a week. The one thing we weren't prepared for was her bad breath. She could clear an entire room with how bad her breath was after the surgery. But other than than, everything was pretty easy for us.

Good to take care of all of this before they start school. Good luck!

I'm gonna try and prepare you for the day.. My son had his out at 5. We went into the hospital that morning and they put him in a room where they weighed him and talked to him a little. They had him dress in his pj's and not a gown. They also played with him, having him breathe into a mask and a rubber glove which he didn't know was filled my meds to begin the knock out process.) Once they were ready to operate, they had us go to the waiting room and they took him on the bed to the operating room. About 30-45 minutes later, they came and got us to go see him. They had him in a small room and he was crying when we got there because the anesthesia makes them very irratible and emotional. Please do not worry about any of this part as they don't remember it later! If I had known that then, I'd have been much happier! He had an ice pack for his neck that sonic ice works great in!! Not too mention it's great for sucking of since it's small, the ice not the ice pack. :-} They brought in popsicles for him to eat as well as his pain meds. We had a hard time getting him to take them, and he just wanted to curl up in a ball. He was fussy and distraught. After he finally had a few sips of popsicle juice and took his meds they started the process of taking out his iv (which our doc started after he was out so he didn't remember it). We were in recovery for a few hours when they released him. He did throw up right before we left, but they weren't concerned. I think it was the pain meds on an empty stomach. That day was pretty quiet as he slept all day and I had to wake him for drinks. I would advise that you stay on top of the pain meds, but after the first day, my son refused them and said he was fine. He talked sort of in the top of his throat/back of his mouth for a few days! Very shallow. I hope this doesn't freak you out. I like to be very prepared! And every kiddo is different! It was really hard to see him so uncomfortable and upset, but when he woke up late that night, he didn't remember coming home or even having visitors that afternoon. It made it much better for his well-being. And for mine. Like I said, if I had known that little tidbit before I'd have handled it much better. The longterm effects for us are great! He wasn't sick at all last year. Stock up on jello, broth (lukewarm but not hot at all), gatorade, popsicles (I bought pedialyte for the extra rehydration properties). Good luck! It was more nerve-racking for me not knowing the process, what to expect, etc.. I hope this helps! Kiddos are so resiliant!

Relax Mom.
I had my tonsils out and so has both of my children. They had theirs out in day surgery. Took them home that afternoon and within a few hours they both wanted something to eat. Make sure you have popcicles, jello and soup and mac and cheese and Juice. I gave mine some warm juice and it help to relax them and made the throat feel better in between the jello and popcicles. For a meal give soup or mac and cheese. Easy going down. No foods that will scratch the throat for a couple of days. Check your pharmacy. They also make some popcicles for sorethroat that is good to give.

Get lots of sugar free popsicles...that's all my son wanted. Along with some sprite and water. I also got a big bag of ice from Sonic. The ice was good for naps and bedtime. And keep on the meds as directed. You'll pay for it later if you get off schedule!!

My son was 3 also and the procedure was no problem at all. The worst part was no straw (!) for 3 days!! I just had to make sure he drank a lot. I actually had to set a timer for myself for every 15 minutes so I could remember to offer him something to drink since I couldn't leave it there for him to get himself.

Hi J.,

My kids had their tonsils out at 3yrs. They did not have to spend the night. Be prepared that the anesthesia makes them really cranky. As for recovery it will depend on your childs personality and your doctor's recommendations. My daughter would not drink (a requirement of so many ounces before we could be discharged). My son wanted something to drink as soon as he woke up. Our dr said no talking, chips, or straws. No milk products for 76 hours. Milk is a mucous producer. My kids did great watching video's. Their voices change too, higher pitch, but that is temporary. Give the pain medicine as prescribed, even if you don't think he needs it. Drink lots of fluids and run a humidifier to keep the throat moist. The seventh day of recovery can be the hardest so don't be surprised if he has a relapse in pain.

I know as a Mother the thought of your little one having surgery is nerve racking. I will say a prayer for you as well.

My son had his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was 3 years old and 2 months. It was a a pretty simple procedure - he stayed overnight in the hospital and then had to be on soft foods and no straw for a week, but was pretty much back to himself by about days 3. The worst part is when they come out of surgery and are coming out of the anistesia (sp). That was hard on both of us!
good luck!
K.

My best friend just had her 3 year old sons tonsils taken out and they let him go home the same day. It took about 2 weeks for him to recover, but her problem was that he would not drink anything because his throat hurt. So she took him back to the doc and the doc told him that if he did not drink any fluids he would end back up at the hospital. Needless to say that he started drinking and it made him feel so much better, including his throat. Just make sure that after the surgery is done and a few days pass that he drinks a lot!!!! It will hurt at first but with in an hour or so his throat will feel so much better!!! Good luck!!!

My daughter had hers out at 2 and she had to stay overnight at the hospital. She had a very easy recovery. She was eating the next day without a problem (soft foods) and was ready to run around the next day as well. I am not sure if this is the norm or not. Good luck with the surgery and have positive thoughts.

Our daughter was 2 1/2 when hers was removed 10 + yrs ago. She went in came out 30 min later. About 3 hrs later after eating her ice cream & popsicle we went home. She was groggy for about another 3 hoursbut then was her normal self. She had soup that night & eggs & oatmeal the next morning & Happy Meal for lunch.
She complained for about 1 1/2 hrs after the surgery of pain but that was it! The ice cream & popsicle were our winners of the day!
Has never complained or had problems since.

My son has had his tonsils out and we did stay overnight. We had a very good experience. They had a fold-out couch that I stayed in with him. We stayed overnight because he has sleep apnea. It sounds as if you have the same problem. My son was right at his 4th birthday when we had them removed. He's now 5 1/2. The recovery time was pretty quick. 24 hours after he was home, you never would have known he had anything done.

I wish you the best of luck!

J.-

I'm 29yrs old and just had myk tonsils out in May. It was a breeze for me and they say adult tonsillectomys are worse then kids. I went home the same day. I'm with all the other moms speaking from experience make sure you stay on top of his pain meds for the first day and PLEASE MAKE HIM DRINK. I got to a point where I didn't want to and I was suffering. My throat was very soar for about 48hrs and my ears hurt like the devil which they said was very normal. Good Luck to you and your little guy...Remember the word for the day of surgery is DRINK...:-)

My daughter had her tonsilles', adnoids and tubes put in her ears just for that reason. I had it all done just this past spring and she was 3 years and 3 months when she had it all done. The recovering time was almost none. Right when she came out was very hard. But once we got her home she slept that first 24 hours. I really just had to watch what she ate so that she would not scratch her throat. Anyother FYI, they gave my daughter tylonol with codine and that had the opposite effect on her. She would bounce off the walls. The sooner the better. Her speech and hearing have vastly improved. God Bless and I pray for a fast recovery:)

My now 9 year old son had his tonsils removed at 3 due to him having sleep apnea. He did stay overnight in the hospital but only because we live about 1 1/2 hours away from the hospital. The doctor wanted me to keep him less active for about a week , but he was active and ready to go during the night. His father and I are both nurses and his dad worked at the hospital that the surgery was performed in which was a perk. I would tell you to take some quiet activities that your child enjoys doing if you have to stay overnight. This is a procedure that they have been doing for years and it is very quick to be done and kids usually bounce back within a few days. Good luck

I have twin girls that just turned 5. One had to have a tonsillectomy when she was almost 3. She had to be hospitalized (My ENT says the cutoff for hospitalization is 4 yrs old.) One had the surgery when she was almost 5, so she had day surgery. Neither suffered much pain, and the recovery was really quick. The first one was dancing down the hallway the day after the surgery. The second one, who had extremely large tonsils, has really been able to sleep so much better since the surgery, so we are glad we did it. Just follow the instructions well. One daughter had a lot of trouble with throwing up; they have meds for that and just be ready for it, if it happens. Be prepared that they cannot go to school or daycare for 7 to 10 days because you must keep them somewhat inactive so that the wounds can heal. good luck.

My daughter had hers out at three (in June) and had to spend the night to make sure she could swallow and not get dehidrated. She pulled her IV out just after her surgery. The nurses forgot to come get me out of the outpatient wating room and bring me to the patient room before she got there. I see a lot the the other post say popsicles are a hit, yes she loves them now. But she also really likes jello. The Dr said gateraide wouldn't hurt either. And you certanly want to stay on top of the tylonl/pain med the first week or so. If it wears off they won't want to swallow. And the throat hurst the most just after they wake up because it is dry...got to go

Hello, My 3 y/o had a tonsillectomy/adnoidectomy in December. She has snored since she was born, and then she was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea because she frequently stopped breathing during the night. The docter said her tonsils AND adenoids were huge, and believed to be hinder her breathing, not to mention we could not understand half of the things she said, on top of her lisp. Well, the procedure was a success yes she stayed in the hospital over night, I slept in the bed with her. They give you all the instructions for post operative, but she didn't have an appetite for about 2 days, then it came back full force she was eating everything and it didn't bother her at all. Her breath was HORRIBLE, which is common, for about a week or so. I think the whole thing bothered me most. She had pain meds but I chose not to give them to her, she didn't like the taste, she just had tylenol and she was just fine. Minimal pain of and on. Don't worry 3 years old are really resiliant.

Hi J.,
My daughter had her tonsils and adenoids taken out at 3 and did great. She did stay overnight and fluids were a must. The sugar free Popsicles were very helpful and pudding. It is hard to see them go through it, but our kids are tough and bounce back quickly. Within two to three days she was back to her old playful self. Do keep the med schedule it makes all the difference in the world.
Praying your strength and a speedy full recovery for your child,
T.