We were driving to Albuquerque a few weeks ago and we noticed that my 2 year old (my itty bitty two year old), who usually snores like a 6 foot man, was not just snoring but gasping and choking in her sleep. At that point we decided to take her to an ENT. We went this past week, he looked in her throat and without flinching said, "those have got to go now." He said her tonsils and adenoids should come out as soon as possible. I immediately called my pediatrician, who I trust implicitly. Her response was that if the ENT (who she knows and trusts) says they need to come out then she has the utmost faith in him.

I know this surgery will improve her quality of life in several ways. She is so tiny because she won't eat much, she prefers to drink and I think making room in the back of her throat will help that. She can't keep her eyes open much past 11am before needing a nap, because she doesn't sleep soundly because of the apnea and she has a very difficult time forming some sounds because of all the inflammation. I am freaking out! It's not so much the idea of her tonsils and adenoids coming out that bother me, it's the anasthesia. Have any of you been through this with one so young? 

Thanks so much!

 

I haven't but you are in my thoughts.

Both of my children still have their tonsils.  Your in my thoughts and prayers.

I haven't had the experience either.  I'd find out as much information as you can about the anethesialogist (totally messed with the spelling) and make sure he/she specializes in pediatrics, does he/she (dr. from the same practice) work with the ENT on a regular basis.  I'd want that dr. to specialize in pediatrics and for the surgeon to have a positive working relationship.

It sounds like your little girl will see some improvements with the surgery, so it is a good thing. 

You and your family will be in our thoughts.  Keep us posted.

My Neice was the same, she was so tiny, and a super pickey eater and would drink her weight in liquid..but she was an awesome girlie,  althogh like u mentioned she could snore louder than any man...the sad thing for Elle, was she got alot of ear infections (and got tubes later when she was 4 1/2) so when she was ill, she would almost stop breathing for a second during the night, on almost every big snore.  Her parents had to take turns sleeping with her to make sure she would be ok, it was scarry for them, so both tonsils and adenoids came out, and the doctor was a fantastic guy (anaesthetic was a worry, but doctors won't suggest it unless they are capable..but ask about previous surgeries the dr. has done, it never hurts)  So she like a new girl, more energy and sleeps more soundly at night and put on weight! It was really ok and I hope it works for your little one too!  

To Jenni-after your niece had her tonsils and adenoids out, was she all better? Was it worth it?

As far as anasthesiologists go, our next door neighbor will be doing the surgery with the ENT, and I trust him, I just worry about how it will affect someone so small. I know the risks, and even with the most trusted doctor, I worry about how difficult it will be for such a little body.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. 

I haven't however one of our flower girls that were in our wedding did and two weeks before our wedding.  She had to get her tonsils out and also tubes in her ears.  She was three and was in our wedding and never missed a beat.  They really have that procedure down and the kids bounce back very quickly.  I know it's a tough decision and as a mother I also would be in a worried state for just the same reasons.  I wish you the best with your decision and a quick recovery!

Sorry Katie...yes, it really was worth it...she is doing really great at night,  sleeps longer at night time, and is not snoring during the nights and her appitite has really really improved, and I also meant to mention that she was 3 years old when done, and she didn't understand what was happening but did really great, her mom stayed as long as poss in room, then it was all over in less than an hour, and shes a whole different girl !!  So I hope that helps a little... I hope it works for you too, because everyone feels so much better when they eat a good meal and has a great night sleep!

My youngest daughter had just turned 4 when she had her tonsils and adenoids (sp) removed.  She had been getting strep throat so often that is was a necessity.  If I remember correctly...something like 6 times in 7 months.  It was alot!  She was 't even the child that was in school! 

We were concerned about the surgery and her recovery and she did quite well.  The examples of previous children we knew that had had the surgery, were two of our neighbors' daughters and each one of their children were difficult at best about eating, drinking, & taking their medication. 

My little one did take her medication with prompting and small rewards (she doesn't like medication at all!), and at the time Jamba Juice was her favorite drink of all time.  I went there and had a large one made and asked for several small cups which they graciously gave to me.  I split up the drink so there was enough for some every day.  The most important thing besides medication is keeping your little one hydrated.  If you keep a stricit medication schedule (we did,  including waking her up in the middle of the night), the pain doesn't ever get too bad.

Luckily for us, our doctor was up front and let us know how difficult the entire process was going to be.  He didn't sugar coat it so we were well prepared.  We had "sleep overs" in her room to keep an eye on her for the first 2 weeks as well.  We wanted her to be comfortable, so we felt having her sleep in her own room instead of sleeping with us was the best idea.  The pain meds were constipating, so I made her pancakes almost everyday with prune juice instead of water (I know gross, huh?!).  The pancakes were soft on her throat and with all the syrup she didn't notice the taste and was kept regular.  Nobody wants tummy back up when you already are feeling bad!

Anyway...so sorry about the long post....just thought it best to let you know that although it might be scary, it might be really hard, and frustrating at times, it was well worth it!  I would do it again in a heart beat!  My other children have all had strep throat since my youngest had her tonsils removed (they thought she was the carrier....obviously not!), and she has not had it again in over 1 1/2 years! 

Best Wishes on whatever you decide to do.