Hi M.! Both of my kids had tubes. My daughter (she's 6 1/2 now) got them when she was a little over one and they worked beautifully - she's never had an ear infection since and rarely is sick now.
My son (he's 4 1/2 now) has had tubes five times now (they've fallen out earlier than expected and he has kept getting ear infections). My son has grown quicker than average (he's well off the charts for both height and weight) - not sure if that's why the tubes didn't stay in for as long as they should have...
In any case, the procedure is literally five minutes and the kids get anesthesia. Both of my kids came out from under without an issue and were totally fine. I took them home and they ate a meal without an issue and were up and running without even so much as another dose of tylenol. My experience has been wonderful - except for the fact that my son's don't stay in past 5 or 6 months...
The benefits have been tremendous though - my son's hearing was horrible (we had him tested for nerve damage since it was so bad, but thankfully it was just from the fluid in his ears that he couldn't hear). As soon as the tubes were in, we were able to whisper to him and he heard us crystal clear. Also, his speech improved ten-fold when the tubes went in.
I'm sure you have an ENT already, but if you are in need of a really good doctor, send me a private message and I'll send you back the name of my kids' otolaryngologist - he's well known in NJ, has won all sorts of awards for his accomplishments, has an excellent bedside manner, is great with the kids and explains everything to you until you are comfortable. He's also on the conservative side, so when he tells you his opinion, he's not pushing something on you that he wouldn't do on his own kids.
Best of luck!
- K. :)