My daughters tonsiles are causing sleep apnea (confirmed from sleep study) removal was recomended. Ive read recovery is painful. What shall I expect? how long will she be out of school? Also does anyone know of a good ENT in Albuquerque, NM I may get a second opinion..
After reading the other answers I will admit I must be a terrible 'baby', but I had mine out at age 7 and thought I was dying. I wouldn't eat and was nearly put back in the hospital because of that. On the other hand that was years ago, I had that awful ether, and I would think today is much better all the way around. Hopefully she'll be much better than I was as most are I think.
Bless her heart. Do it now, and she won't remember it much when she's older. I recommend you having some extra family support just in case you need a break those first day or so after her recovery. I'd say a couple of days she may feel lousy MAX, but due to her issue with OSA, I would bet they might keep her overnight at the hospital for observation just to see how she does. If not I think I would push for that just to be safe.
I wouldn't think any more than a week and she should be ready to go back to school. I would send her lunches with her the next few weeks and let her teachers know so they can watch her. PE and recess should be nixed for a week or so. Her throat will still be itchy and sore, but perhaps you can leave some pain meds with the school nurse just in case. She will do fine! Good luck!
My daughter had hers out at about 3. The first day was awful, a lot of pain, wouldn't take her meds. But started feeling better by the next day. and pretty much over it within a couple of days. It really wasn't that big of a deal.
Recovery depends on the person. I have a nephew who had a really tough time, took longer too heal and lost weight because he wasn't eating much of anything. I have a nephew who was eating normally the next day. I have a cousin who was eating bacon on day two of recovering.
If the sleep study is showing the apnea, I don't think you need an ENT to give a second opinion.
My sons tonsils and adenoids came out right after he turned 4.
His were not infected but were swollen to the point they almost touched each other across the back of his throat - they became an obstruction and interfered with his breathing at night and swallowing while eating and drinking.
He had them out and was home the same day - no one stays over night in the hospital for this anymore.
Keep up with the pain meds they give you.
We kept him home a week.
He was sore a few days and the biggest challenge was to keep him from running/jumping around while he healed up.
We kept him on liquids for awhile, then soft foods - mashed potatoes, soft boiled eggs, jello, pudding, yogurt.
He was on regular food a day or so before going back to school.
Having tonsils out when you are an adult is much harder than it is on the kids.
The kids just bounce right back.
