Any Advice on Getting Tonsils Out?

Hello K.,
Don't worry, I have two daughters and both have had their tonsils out, actually within 6 months of each other. They where ages 3 and 7, both did great. They did have a sore throat but I was told to keep a cool mist viporizer running in their room at all times and give lots to drink and it worked. They loved the milkshakes, coke icies, mashed potatoes and soups. Just watch juices and salt because it will burn the throat. God Bless you all, you will be in my prayers.

L. B

I am actually responding from my own experience because I had my tonsils removed when I was 20 yo. The ice cream did not work well for me because dairy products produce so much mucus and it makes the swallowing even harder. I lived on sherbert and juice popsicles after the surgery. They cooled and numbed without producing excess mucus in your throat. Sounds like a good excuse for some curl up on the couch and watch a movie together time. Good luck!!

Hi K.,

My son was 4 when he got his adnoids and tonsills removed. Besides the obvious popcicles and stuff the doctor told us NO milk or dairy. I guess it can grow bacteria on the scabs in the back of the throat. He told us clear liquids only. Hope everything goes well for you and beware of SUPER stinky breath.lol
K.
p.s. Your doc should give you an rx for some pain meds too..

Well neither one of my kids have had their's out, but my best friend's son has, as well as my nephew. They both suffered badly from allergies & asthma. It's been like night & day w/ both of them. My newphew had his out last yr, and his asthma & allergies are virtually gone. My friend's son, had his out this summer, and a few weeks later he was doing great. He actually ate a "rea" meal the night he got home, and he did fine. My nephew lived on ice cream & loved it. As far as your nerves go, I'd be nervous too. But everyone I know came through fine w/o complications. Well I hope some of this helps. Good luck, and know your daughter will be fine!

Hi

My son had his out when he was 20 months old. He ate LOTS and LOTS of jello. Ice cream / milk products can cause flem on the back of the throat (may not be a good idea) Also nothing that would burn like Orange Juice. He hurt for a few days and then he was eating for again. Good luck!!!
J.

My sonturned 5 in may and had his tonsils and adnoids taken out in July. It was not that bad for him. As soon as he came out from surgery, they gave him juice. They told him if he drank so much he could go home. He almost got sick on the way home, (they said it is normal) but he did not. He came home and sat around. He was tired but they say make them drink every few hours, if they dont it will scab and break open if you dont keep it wet. So that is the most important thing. My son only took meds for 1 day and wanted to eat chips the next day. Of course the doctor said only soft stuff for 10 days i think. That and the drinking was the hardest. Because i was making my son drink so much he did not want to and you have to wake them up at night time to drink and he hated that. And then he wanted to eat anything. Oh and no red stuff, no red jello, anything for i think a few days. That is about all i can think of to tell you. I makes a big differents after it is over. My son sleeps better his allergies have gotten a little better. Oh and also I know it is hard but dont worry. It is pretty fast and it will not be as bad as it seems. And they have changed some much since we where kids it is a lot easier now. Hope i helped, A. greer

K.,

My daughter had the same issues with allergies, but she also had extremely large tonsils that would swell and fill with infection every couple of months.

The doctor told us this was due to the kind of tonsils she had, and it must have been from my side of the family because everyone has had them removed at some point in our lives. That being said, the ordeal wasn't as bad as I had imagined it would be. We waited until she turned 5 yrs. old so that they would still be smaller. Thinking back I would have opted to have them removed sooner; maybe age 3 or 4. The large tonsils made it hard for my daughter to swallow and eat, plus when she would sleep on her back they caused her to stop breathing for small periods of time during the night.

The healing process was quick for my little girl and she loved the attention of getting freezie pops made by Mom. Nowadays, they don't take out the whole tonsil they just shave them down a little on each side this was for faster healing time but you get the same result. The doctor also didn't remove my daughter adnoids, at all. This might be something to ask about. I think not removing them completely helped out alot. My daughter hasn't had a bit of trouble, not one sore throat since they were removed!

Good Luck! Give her lots of love and attention and try not to worry.

((BIG HUGS))
A.

My four year old daughter just had hers taken out about three months ago. She drank a lot of sprite,and milk seemed to sooth it a lot. No citrus drinks they will irritate. The doctor also suggested carnation instant breakfast which he said had nutrients to aid in healing and she really liked the chocolate flavor I bought. She freaked out when she first came out of the anesthesia, it really scared me but only lasted about 30 or 45 minutes. the first few days were tough she threw up a lot but they make phenagren (spelled wrong) that you rub on their wrists instead of a suppository that made her sleepy and helped a lot. Honestly it was harder to keep her calm for 2 weeks than it was taking care of her the few days immediately after the surgery. Except for that 30 minutes or so and apparently her reactionto the anesthesia is very common for smaller children, so ask about it and expect it.

I am curious about why they want to remove tonsils due to allergies - usually they only do that after repeated episodes of tonsilitis, sore throat problems. My daughter, now 12, has suffered for years with asthma and allergy issues and finally they removed her adenoids and enlarged opening in cheek sinuses only - not tonsils, because removing the adenoids can help with sinus, allergy issues - my daughter also got tested by an allergist and takes weekly shots to help symtoms - after a few years the shots should not be necessary anymore once they have built up a resistance to what she is allergic to -
might want to get a second opinion.
The first sinus doctor we went to suggested major sinus surgery, cutting openings in all her four pairs of sinus cavities - a very painful recovery for this procedure usually only done on adults. We found another much more "kid friendly" doctor who suggested bare minimal surgery due to her still growing and changing - with excellent results.

Well, you didn't say if it was the 4 year old or the 6 year old. But when my son had his removed, he ate soft foods (pudding, soup's, etc) Yes, she will have a sore throat and the Dr. should give her some pain medicine to help combat the pain, also tylenol or ibuprophen should work alright too. Basically, she can eat anything she wants. Spaghetti O's work ok too. the ice cream will help to numb the throat.

I hope you have as good as an experience as I had as a child. When I was 5 I was so sick all the time, and after they were removed I have only had two more ear infections in the rest of my 34 years of life. Quiet time with family, jello and soup, are vivid memories of my time healing. Hope she has a quick recovery.
A. S
Chico CA

I am 34 and had mine removed 5 years ago. I was in the military in a foreign country, unfortunately without family. It was painful and a little gross. However, I made it through with lots of water and sorbet ice cream. Regular Ice Cream has milk which creates a lot of mucus and is painful to clear from the throat. My doctor said to stay away from milk products for the first two weeks because of it. Hey but sorbet is smooth so it really helps when you can't swallow too well. That was my biggest problem the first few days. Trying to swallow...oi it hurt. Good luck!

Hi I am 34 and had mine taken out last year. I had problems. Adults are worse off so it is good she's doing it now! I didn't read all the other replies but I just wanted to say from somone who had problems. If she shows signs of problems like bleeding in her throat give her Afrin nose spray! It works miracles. It has to be Afrin. It stops the bleeding immediately!

I had my throat cardorized 3 times. Not fun! The doctor told me I was his worse case and if it happened all the time he wouldn't do it for a living. So hopefully that makes you feel better. Worse cases hardly ever happen. 2% chance~!

Doctors go back and forth on taking them out. One year it is the thing to do the next year no it isn't. So you decide don't let the doctor. What I learned is... they help protect your body from viruses etc. I had mine taken out because they were no longer working. I was gettting puss pockets in the back of my throat and a very red throat all the time. The best way to cure allergies is by taking vitamins.. building your immune system. There are herbs out there for throat problems. Then decide. I just think you can always at anytime have them taken out and there isn't a rush! Unless they are large that is another reason to have them removed! Snoring problems etc.

Food, Ice is your best friend. Watch out for too many liquids after several day it causes diahrea. But ice cream for me was too thick vs popsycles were the best feeling. ice cream and puddings are o.k but they can hurt your throat because they have to touch the lining as they go down.

A. Greer