tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy...sigh

[fivefordisney]

My DD9 is having her tonsils and adenoids removed on the 13th of August. We were going to try to slip a little mini vacation in before school started. We were thinking of heading to HersheyPark or somewhere similar.

I am worried about her recovery and whether or not she could even go on rides. We were thinking about the week following her surgery...8-21.

Does anyone have experience with this surgery and its recovery period?

 

[gwtw428]

I had my tonsils out in 2004 when I was 24. The recovery actually wasnt all that bad and they say it is worse for adults. It just felt like a really bad sore throat but I was talking immediatly after surgery and eating jello and other liquids. I was told to take 2 weeks off but I was better in a weeks time.
I am sure your daughter will be fine! Good luck and I hope she feels better asap!
Jamie

 

[jjjmranch]

My son just turned 4 when he had both surgeries. Make sure to give her Tylenol or some other pain reliever. He hated the taste of Tylenol codeine, we stuck with plain Tylenol. No straws, red popsicles, red jello. Push fluids as much as you can. Hot soups/tomato based soft foods really hurt that first week. Even though she's nine, I would still recommend liquid pain relief. The chewables or regular pills will be so hard for her to swallow.

Make sure she even though she feels better, not to have her do major activities that second week. The ENT doctor said that's when bleeding can occur - the wounds need to heal.

PM me if you'd like anymore advice. He did lose a little weight, but quickly made it up after he was allowed regular food. His first non-soft food request was salad with croutons!

 

[beckanoah]

Not to be a downer, but my dd just had that surgery last month... and couldn't eat OR drink for nearly 2 weeks (she's 7).. we had to give her drinks in a syringe. It was a difficult recovery for her... and another girl that was 10. We were back for followups at the same time. Obviously, this isn't what happens with every case... but in NO way would i take her to a themepark that soon after.

PM me also if you want more info...

 

[fivefordisney]

I should add that she is having the "PITA" (ok, insert joke her because this whole thing is a pita!)--PITA stands for powered intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. It's supposed to be a better recovery.

I am bummed because we really wanted to end the summer on a fun note as the kids lost their granddad, a fun-boating-sailing-summer-kind of granddad, and much of the summer has been spent dealing with estate stuff.

I guess we are kind of stuck at home until the 27th at the earliest, huh?

 

[rayasmom]

My 2 year old ds just had the same surgery 12 days ago. The surgery went well, but I would doubt that your ENT would approve of a vacation so quickly. The greatest risk of bleeding is from day 5 to 14. My ds is still restricted from any outside play. He was on the liquid lortab for about 7 days and I was thinking we would have a week of peaceful rest. No way. The med made him so cranky and irritable and downright mean. Fortunately he is breathing much better. The surgery was definitely worth it.

 

[fivefordisney]

My son just turned 4 when he had both surgeries. Make sure to give her Tylenol or some other pain reliever. He hated the taste of Tylenol codeine, we stuck with plain Tylenol. No straws, red popsicles, red jello. Push fluids as much as you can. Hot soups/tomato based soft foods really hurt that first week. Even though she's nine, I would still recommend liquid pain relief. The chewables or regular pills will be so hard for her to swallow.

Make sure she even though she feels better, not to have her do major activities that second week. The ENT doctor said that's when bleeding can occur - the wounds need to heal.

PM me if you'd like anymore advice. He did lose a little weight, but quickly made it up after he was allowed regular food. His first non-soft food request was salad with croutons!

Thanks, I am sure I'll do that as the time gets closer!! My DD is a real sweetie, but is not psyched about this at all... Can't say I blame her. I'm just avoiding the subject for as long as possible.

 

[fivefordisney]

Not to be a downer, but my dd just had that surgery last month... and couldn't eat OR drink for nearly 2 weeks (she's 7).. we had to give her drinks in a syringe. It was a difficult recovery for her... and another girl that was 10. We were back for followups at the same time. Obviously, this isn't what happens with every case... but in NO way would i take her to a themepark that soon after.

PM me also if you want more info...

Ugghhh...I am so hoping for a good recovery. Was you dd's surgery a "PITA", by any chance? (Yes, I know is was a Pain in the A@@, I'm sure...but the other PITA...LOL)

 

[fivefordisney]

My 2 year old ds just had the same surgery 12 days ago. The surgery went well, but I would doubt that your ENT would approve of a vacation so quickly. The greatest risk of bleeding is from day 5 to 14. My ds is still restricted from any outside play. He was on the liquid lortab for about 7 days and I was thinking we would have a week of peaceful rest. No way. The med made him so cranky and irritable and downright mean. Fortunately he is breathing much better. The surgery was definitely worth it.

Yes, DD has trouble sleeping while lying flat. She always has "allergy shiners" but has no allergies, she has wicked breath, sleep apnea and is a skinny little beanpole. Despite this, she's a pretty pleasant kid. The xrays showed huge adenoids and we always know the tonsils were big. I am just hoping this is worth it.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

For both of mine they were fine the first week and had a terrible 2nd. week. I wouldn't plan anything until at least 3 weeks after...

 

[mamalle]

everyone is different and children are very resilent after surgery. that being said I probably wouldnt of taken my daughter that soon after her surgery last summer. she did do well but really didnt eat anything besides soft for over a 1.5 weeks. I would be also worried about the risk of being exposed to germs, etc. so soon after having them out but that may be just the nervous mom and nurse in me. Normally the chances of bleeding are around day 5 to 7 since the area has scabbed over and can bleed if aggravated by sharp items like fries.. mine was on tylenol with codeine and it made her so nauseated in the beginning. It helped her pain ( along with a ice pack to the neck) but after the initial 72 hours I switched to liquid tylenol. If I had to do it again I would of asked for the liquid lortab. anyhow, best of of luck to your child. Im sure everything will go fine.

had to add: dd has not been sick or been on antibiotics since last July when she had them out! It was a godsent after all was said and done..

 

[our2miracles]

My DD (7) is also having them out on the 13th of August. The ENT said no activity the 1st week and limited activity the 2nd week. I can't wait for this to be over and her healed to see if it works or not. Her tonsils are almost touching and she has the sleep apnea, snoring, etc... She is also a little beanpole and doesn't favor meat at all. He said she could possibly be "choking" on it when she swallows. Who knew!

 

[summerrluvv]

My son had them out last November. He had to stay overnight due to a blood disorder he has. It took him about 3 weeks to fully recover. He was out of school for a week and a half but was not allowed to resume physical activity for 3 weeks. He didn't have any complications, just a lot of pain. Make sure you keep on top of the pain meds, once they wear off it's brutal. I would talk to the doctor about restrictions because he probably wouldn't be okay with an amusement park trip not close to home. Good luck!! Wishing for a speedy recovery!

 

[fivefordisney]

Thanks for all your replies so far. I guess we'll be staying close to home.

Maybe we can hit the Jersey shore or the Eastern Shore of Maryland to just relax and hang out... Sigh...

 

[fivefordisney]

everyone is different and children are very resilent after surgery. that being said I probably wouldnt of taken my daughter that soon after her surgery last summer. she did do well but really didnt eat anything besides soft for over a 1.5 weeks. I would be also worried about the risk of being exposed to germs, etc. so soon after having them out but that may be just the nervous mom and nurse in me. Normally the chances of bleeding are around day 5 to 7 since the area has scabbed over and can bleed if aggravated by sharp items like fries.. mine was on tylenol with codeine and it made her so nauseated in the beginning. It helped her pain ( along with a ice pack to the neck) but after the initial 72 hours I switched to liquid tylenol. If I had to do it again I would of asked for the liquid lortab. anyhow, best of of luck to your child. Im sure everything will go fine.

had to add: dd has not been sick or been on antibiotics since last July when she had them out! It was a godsent after all was said and done..

What is lortab?

 

[PastorsWife]

My son (14) had ads & tons taken out about 3 weeks ago and is still not 100%. 2 weeks after, he was sleeping a LOT. He took vicodin the first week.

I would not make any solid plans, and probably cut it back to 3 days or something.

Have some fun recovery activities. TV party (with ice cream). Smoothie bar (choose your own ingredients) party. "making stuff with mom"....

 

[mickeynminnie08]

My dd was 5 when she had hers out and had egg noodles and chicken broth a few hours after we returned home. She returned to school after 2 days, but the Doctor said she could not do P.E. for 7 days after the surgery, so I would put off a theme park for at least that long.

 

[mom23boys]

My oldest DS 14 had them toncills and adnoids out when he was 8, there is no way I could have taken him to an amusement park after 3 weeks.

I know every child is different and recovers different but he was really hurting, not eating or drinking for at least 2 weeks, he lost 10 pounds.

I also agree with being on top of pain meds. I think that was my biggest mistake I was not giving them to him every 4 hours and letting the pain get too bad.

Good luck, I would talk to your ENT they may want you to stick close to home.

 

[CTdiznymom]

I think your shore get away sounds like a much better idea. IMO, you will be going thru a stressful few days before the surgery, and some sleepless nights after. I'm sure everything will be fine, but laying low is a much better idea. I had two T&A's in my house. One was 8 the other 21. Both took a few weeks before they felt 100%. I recommend a sno-cone or slushy machine. They lived on them for a week. Good Luck.

 

[mamalle]

definitely be on top of the pain meds. I think that is the number one mistake post operatively. I cant say how many times I say to the parents or patients- that you need to stay on top of it and use it before it gets out of hand. Medication takes a good 30 minutes to start working and during the initial recovery- post op it pain medication should be used around the clock as indicated.. Nothing like a crying 8 year old at 3am in pain..