Adenoid/tonsil removal for DS(3yo) advice?

[Desnik]

DS(3) will have to have his tonsils and adenoids removed on May 22nd.
Anyone have a child who had to have this done? Any advice on recovery and foods that are soothing besides icecream!
Anyone have a child that had to stay in the hospital for a few days? DS will have to stay in the hospital becaause of his past medical history with failure to thrive and the fact that he is only 28lbs. They want to keep him on a IV and keep fluids in him for alittle while after his surgery. They are afraid of him getting dehydrated and loosing weight. I am so worried because he had to be hospitalized 3 times when he was a baby and we all had a really tough time. He is so afraid of Dr's and needles and he flips out when either get anywhere near him!
Hopefully the surgery will help with all his problems with sleep apnea, snoring, speech delays, poor eating habits, swallowing issues, etc...
I know this is a routine surgery, but this is my baby and he has already been through so much I just wish he didn't have to go though this.

 

[Beth76]

Aw come on mom, let the kid eat all the ice cream he wants!

Sorry I don't have any advice, but just want to wish you and your son luck for the procedure. I hope it helps some of the problems that he's having.

 

[AprilShowers]

He's NOT going to want ice cream. Youngest DD had tonsils and adenoids removed. She wanted NOTHING. She said it feels like she's swallowing glass!!

Be patient and available to him. Don't let the pain "get ahead" of the pain meds. What I mean is, after surgery, he'll feel pretty good until the numbness wears off. He might say he doesn't want any pain meds. BUT once the numbness wears off, it will be VERY hard to "catch up" to the pain.
If you start with the pain meds right away (always per docs orders) the pain doesn't have a chance to get out of hand.

 

[horseshowmom]

Best wishes for your family!

If it helps any, I had tonsil surgery when I was 18, and it was a horrible experience, but my brother had it when he was 5 (almost 40 years ago), and it was a piece of cake for him (of course, we didn't have the other issues that you have). Doing it while your son is younger will definitely help with his recovery time.

Hopefully, this will help all of the other problems get better!

 

[kimmikayb]

My son ate lots of jello. I also got him pedisure. What surprises me the most is how they wake up from the surgery. Our son was unconsolable. He was one angry little cowboy.

It will be fine, you'll see. My son stopped having ear infections when his anoids were removed so it was well worth it.

 

[aprilgail2]

My 6 year old daughter had it done last summer...she was 5 1/2 when she had it done and 35 pounds...they told us she would lose up to 10 pounds after the surgery and I freaked out...she would be down to 25 pounds at 5 1/2!! She ended up only loosing about 4 pounds...she drank way more than she ate for the week following her surgery
She was not allowed any ice cream, milk or dairy products after the surgery...they want you to push italian ices and jello but you can't get anything that is red...the recovery wasn't so bad..she had one or two days that she took pain meds after the surgery but other than that she says "it was the best thing I ever had done mommy, I am not sick all the time anymore" So she is very happy with her results!

 

[Tink42]

My DD had her adnoids out many years ago. We are so glad we had that done. She became a much better eater and sleeper after we had them taken out. Can't remember much about what she ate after (she's 22 years old now) but do remember having to keep her quiet for about a week. Good luck!

 

[Desnik]

What I'm really worried about is that he really can't say much because of his speech problems. Then he'll be in pain from the surgery and won't be able to tell me how he feels. When he can't say what he wants or needs, he will either show me or just get really frustrated. I just feel so bad that i won't know what he'll need or will make him feel better.

 

[Evil Queen]

My oldest DS (now 23, but around 8 when done), had this done. He battled strep throat and scarlett fever when young. They were removed due to size. Plus, they tested part of his gland too (always ill) to be on the safe side.

He did like cool jello and room temp sprite (with a straw), but nothing else.

He refused all meds during the entire recovery time. I think swallowing them was too much for him, maybe?

He did fine and was ready to return to school as soon as he got ok.

Being he was 8, day before hospital trip, we rented many video games. Since we were regular customer's of video store, we got about half of the games for free to use.

Not sure at 3 how many games you would/could rent today, but if the youngin' is a Disney fan, why not rent some Disney movies? We also bought many age related board games.

Good luck-it's never easy to go through any surgery or hospital stay.

 

[kimwim8]

I guess it depends on the surgeon, but my DD7 had her tonsils and adnoids removed 2 years ago and her surgeon told me to let her eat as much salty and chewy food as possible. They said that the chewing motion helps release the scabs in the throat, and the salt helped heal the wounds. As long as I kept up with the pain meds (around the clock for the first few days) and didn't let her get to the point of "needing" the meds...she was fine. She ate, drank, talked, etc. She did nap the first day or two, but besides that, she was playing and acting very normal. We ended up taking her off the pain meds & putting her on regular children's tylenol or motrin after a few days. (she had a bit of a hallucination effect fromt he codiene). DD's was done as a same day surgery, but I would have preferred for her to stay overnight, just to make sure everything was ok. But it turned out fine - and not one strep throat infection since then (before the surgery, she had strep off & on I think 6 times 6 months).

Good luck to you and your DS. He will be fine, and your surgeon or hospital will give you complete instructions on what you need to do once you take him home.

 

[golfgal]

When dd had hers out she was STARVING after the surgery. Mashed potatoes were great because they filled her up and they were soft.

DD stayed overnight after her surgery. The nurses had a chart with faces and she could point to which face most looked like she felt. Most hospitals do that with kids now so I wouldn't worry about that too much.

No citrus of any kind, nothing red. He won't feel like eating much probably, at first, and then the hospital will pretty much decide what he can eat. Depending on how long he is in the hospital, he may be ready for more solidish foods by the time he gets home. If nothing else, babyfood is good.

 

[LMC]

As others have said he won't feel like eating anything. The plus side to them keeping him in the hospital is they can give him pain meds thru the IV and he won't have to swallow that yucky stuff. The best thing is to keep his throat moist. This is even more important a few days post op so the scabs don't dry out and come off too soon and cause bleeding. (Sorry if TMI).

If he does have to take a pain med see if they will mix it w/ a little (very little) mountain dew. My DD swears that she could not taste the foul stuff when mixed w/ dew. They tried to give it to her other ways but doin it in the dew was the only way she would take it. ALSO, if they give you a RX for home it will be a pain med. check the hospital pharmacy to see if they have it without any alcohol content (or call your regular pharmacy). When my kids had theirs done, the ENT told me to get it at the hospital because theirs did not contain alcohol but most other places would (alcohol would burn the throat).

 

[donnajon]

My son had his adenoids out and tubes put in his ears when he was almost 3.
It helped the snoring and gasping during sleep. And his speech greatly improved. I don't remember the recovery being a big deal. I do remember the doctor saying after the surgery he was going to be "stin-ky!" and he was. It was a really strange odor that came from him. That has been 6 years ago. He rarely got ear infections and his speech and hearing are now normal. Good luck.

 

[JustineMarie]

My daughter was 3 when she had her tonsils and adenoids out. The doctors said to be prepared to stay overnight bc she was so tiny. She was 29 pounds and she didn't take well to the meds that they gave her. She had a tough time waking up after surgery and her blood oxygen was low so they ended up keeping her overnight. She had the surgery at 7:30 am on a Tuesday and at 3:30am on Weds. She woke up and asked for taco bell, lol. Her doctors at Dupont Hospital told us not to give her milk or Ice Cream bc it thickens and produces mucus and so she ate alot of slushies and popsicles instead. She was eating normal 3 days later and back to her wild self within the week. She had her tonsils out bc of bouts with strep that seemd to be nonstop but she has not gotten strep since so I know it was the right decision.

 

[dizneenut]

My DS had his out a couple years ago. He didn't want to eat or drink anything at all for about a day and a half. I was really worried about him dehydrating, but he finally started eating and drinking. He was in pain the first night, but by the second day he seemed to be doing much better. He is so glad he got them out cuz he was so tired of having strep all the time.

 

[Dznypal]

DD had her tonsils and adnoids out when she was 3 also--

she actually did better then me!!!

she stayed over nite since she was so young with mom at her bedside

we had bouts with strep throat--as soon as she was off the meds Id get it and then she get it back again- every other month one of us had strep!!

we all had to go for cultures and it turns out DS was carrying the germ but never got it

For awhile I thought DD and me were going to be like Cindy and Carol Brady and take my tonsils out too

dr said give her whatever she wants to eat

ok--she wanted pretzels!!! ate with no problem--

dr said that was the worst thing to give her since theres sharp edges and that could open the scars!! hr said give her what she wants!!!

the best part she hasnt had strep since then and shes22 now and Ive only had it 2 in all those years

to you and your DS everything will turn out fine

 

[Desnik]

Thank you all so much! All your stories are really making me feel better!

 

[bekkiz]

I had mine out at 6, and then caught a bad case of chicken pox about 3 days later! My mom was thrilled as you can imagine.

I actually at a burger or something from Jack in the Box on the way home (still medicated), but then didn't eat anything else for like 5 or 6 days. I live on slurpies from 7-11. Probably not the greatest thing ever, I'm sure the sugar content wasn't making me heal any faster, but it was the only thing I would tolerate. And this was like 20 years ago, so the doctor probably told my mom to let me eat whatever I wanted And, I'll tell you, the slurpies helped a ton, and to this day, I crave them when I get sick.

That said, I was so much happier within a week. I had awful recurring strep, and after those few days of pain, I haven't had too many throat issues.

 

[tinkerbellmom31]

DS(3) will have to have his tonsils and adenoids removed on May 22nd.
Anyone have a child who had to have this done? Any advice on recovery and foods that are soothing besides icecream!
Anyone have a child that had to stay in the hospital for a few days? DS will have to stay in the hospital becaause of his past medical history with failure to thrive and the fact that he is only 28lbs. They want to keep him on a IV and keep fluids in him for alittle while after his surgery. They are afraid of him getting dehydrated and loosing weight. I am so worried because he had to be hospitalized 3 times when he was a baby and we all had a really tough time. He is so afraid of Dr's and needles and he flips out when either get anywhere near him!
Hopefully the surgery will help with all his problems with sleep apnea, snoring, speech delays, poor eating habits, swallowing issues, etc...
I know this is a routine surgery, but this is my baby and he has already been through so much I just wish he didn't have to go though this.

My DS just had this done last Friday. Hmm... where to start, be glad they are keeping him in the hospital, my son is only 33lbs and will be 4 on Easter he has barely eaten in the last week and is still in pain today. He will not take meds so its a major battle all day everyday since the surgery. The day before the surgery we went out together and bought over $50 worth of food just for him jello, ice cream ,soup, popsicles etc he ate none of it. He asked for cheetos, m&m's and granola bars. The doc said give him ANYTHING he wants so I did, the poor boy would take a bite and walk around holding the rest because it hurt but he did not want to give it up I am alittle worried he is starting to fear eating. He has tylenol with codine but the only way I can get it in is to sneak it with the antibiotic he gets 3 times a day. The doc says he should be getting it around the clock (4-6hrs) but not to wake him. I never remember it being this bad for my DD 8 yrs ago. Healing can take upto 2 weeks so I guess he is just a slow healer. He has had ear pain, sore throat and stiff neck and all this is normal.
I also wanted to add he had his surgery at our local Childrens hospital and they have a no hurt policy. They do not stick them with anything until they are knocked out from the gas. Do prepare him to be taken back without you and that he may have to wear a little mask. I actually tried to tell my DS if he did not eat anything or take his meds he would have to go back, his response "lets's go" Good luck, he may bounce right back every child is different. My dd, DN and 2 DN all had theirs out and recuperated alot quicker. So you may not have the issues I am having. Definately enjoy the stay at the hospital as long as you can, I think he will benefit greatly from that and so will you. You will both be in my prayers let us know how it goes.

 

[tinkerbellmom31]

What I'm really worried about is that he really can't say much because of his speech problems. Then he'll be in pain from the surgery and won't be able to tell me how he feels. When he can't say what he wants or needs, he will either show me or just get really frustrated. I just feel so bad that i won't know what he'll need or will make him feel better.

On the recovery floor the gave my son ice chips and Seirra Mist he had alittle of both and it seemed the bubbles and the cold both bothered him. He did do better with the small ice chips and warmer flat pop after the first few days. He had a wet cough and gasped for air a few times a night for about 4 days. The nurse said its from the hole where the adnoid was and that it WILL get better. He won't need to tell you how he feels trust me it will be written all over his face. Like someone else said staying ahead of the pain is key. I hope your DS is better at taking the meds than mine.