Ear Tube Procedure

My son is on his second round of tubes the first set have fallen out at age 2 1/2.
I too was very nervous, but it is really a very quick and simple operation. You will only be away from her 20 - 30 minutes.

I would try not to worry to much. I know how hard this is to actually do.

I would also recommend no milk at night past dinner time and avoid water getting in the ears.

These things also seem to help!

Good luck

L.

I know you said you were doing this tomorrow but I just had a conversation with my boss today who said that their twins were sched. for tubes but insteed took the twins to a chiro, who (I know this sounds funny ) but adjusted their ears... I am not a big believer in chiropractic care especially on children but the twins have not had an ear infection in over a year...

BE A PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i know you are going in today -- but REFUSE to LEAVE YOUR DAUGHTER.
so what are they going to do??? CANCEL ? the procedure? (which if you look at yesterdays Orlando Sentinel -- story in there -- tubes are not necessary -- but in some extreme cases)

But if you REALLY agree that TUBES are the way to go -- DO NOT leave her side..........not that THE DOCTORS are going to do anything wrong if you are not there.....you wouldn't know anyway........but for your own child's comfort and feelings.

BE A MAMA BEAR. and if they cancel the procedure (which they won't -- $$) -- then find another facility......this is a BIG DEAL for your little one -- ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO LEAVE HER SIDE because you will just frighten this little one to death and there is absolutely NO REASON for them to put that stipulation unless they think YOU are going to freak out during the operation and have to be sedated.......once your daughter is OUT -- then agree to leave -- NOT UNTIL THEN

(by the way, i hope you've have several opinions about these opinions -- putting kids out is always a risk -- not to give you even more worries) -- But for the question you asked -- I had to respond -- DO NOT LET THE MEDICAL AUTHORITIES BULLY YOU -- YOUR KID -- YOU ARE THE ONLY PROTECTOR!!

hope you stay with her -- until she's out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I support you 100%. I have not gone through a similar experience, but I can see where you would be concerned with the experience for your daughter. I would want to be there with my child as well. I would insist that you be allowed in for the anesthesia process. Sorry I can not offer any concrete advice, just my support for your convictions. I wonder who told you no? The Surgeon? The anesthiologist(sp?)? If the surgeon tells you no, I would talk to someone from the hospital administration and explain your situation. Does it have to be at that hospital? Maybe another hospital would have a different policy. I know its "scheduled" but doctors postpone surgery all the time. Listen to your insticts.

Best of luck to you. May your daughter be blessed.
Please let us know what happens.

A.

When my son was 15 months old, he got tubes put in. The doctor said he was a great patient, but I think it had a lot to do with the timing of the surgery. My son is a late sleeper by late I mean wakes up at 7am. So I had the surgery start as early as possible so when I went in at 6am he was still sleeping when we changed his clothes. The surgery was so quick we were out of there by 8am.

J.,

My daughter had tubes at 6 months and a umbilical hernia at 3 years. The hospital gave her a sedative before taking her away both times so she really didn't have a problem leaving us. Infact, she was pretty loopy and hilarious (wish I had the video camera, actually) Both surgeries were really quick, especially the tubes. Kids rebound so easily and the doctors and nurses are use to all different reactions by the kids. If they don't offer a sedative, ask for one if you are afraid that she will get really upset. The amount they use is minimal and it will be over in about 15 minutes. Just have her favorite toy waiting when she comes out.

K.

Hello J....my heart and prayers go out to you. I haven't been through your experience however this response is more of a prayer of support than advice. I apologize for not giving any advice but I just had to tell you that i hope everything goes smoothly , quickly and painless. Good luck sweetie...I will pray for you. xoxo

It is not unusual for them not to let you in, policies etc. but reading what you wrote took me back like 26 years when my oldest daughter had the same procedure and me feeling much the same way you do because She had what I called mamitis, separation anxiety and they wouldn't let me in, and when they took her, I was an emotional mess. Talk to her Dr. explains your concerns, ask permission and if he doesn't think is a good idea then go with the flow. You are not asking to go into the surgery itself, just long enough until sedation takes effect. My heart goes out to you because I have been there done that, and although it is a simple procedure, it is hearbreaking for you. Hang in there J., it will be over before you know it.

My son had tubes when he was 7 months old. I could not go back to anesthesia, but I gave him his favorite blanket and stuffed animal to comfort him. The nurse that took him back was very comforting. I hope this helps.

Also, be aware that when they wake up from the anesthesia they cry constantly for about 30 minutes. Try to get her to drink something if possible.

Good luck.

My daughter had this same procedure when she was 2. YOur daughter will be fine. I had a hard time giving up control of my daughter and letting them do what ever they need to her. But They will take very good care of her. I know that They came out and gave me updates and the whole thing does not take very long at all. The time that they will definatly need you the most is after the surgery when she is waking up. Just be prepared cause she will be very drugged up, in pain and just need her mommy. HOpe this helps Good luck!!! D.

My advice is to go with the flow. Most hospitals don't allow parents back into the operating room. It is a sterile room and things move quickly once the child is brought back. Once she's wheeled in, it is only a matter of minutes before she'll be asleep. The nurses and anesthesiologist do this every day. They have a routine. Having parents back there can just slow things down and a lot of times kids cry more when the parents are there. I would follow the rules of that hospital.You should be able to stay with her all through pre-op, just until they wheel her in to the OR. I think that this is very fair. They are the professionals, just let them do their jobs. Your daughter will be fine. Good luck!

My daugher was almost 2 when she got her tubes so maybe it is a little bit of a different situation. But we went to the Outpatient center for Arnold Palmer (I believe it was called POPS). They didn't allow me to go in the back with her while they gave her the anesthesia, I didn't even ask actually. But, the staff there was SO NICE and made my daughter feel sooo comfortable, she had absolutely no problem going with them. They told her she would see a balloon (the anesthesia). After she got the procedure she actually talked about the balloon and how nice the dr's were to her. She ended up having to have another set of tubes in and her adnoids taken out last year (she was 3) this time we had to go to the actual hospital (Arnold Palmer) so it was a little different. But she still had no problems. I'd say it depends on how child-friendly the staff is and how comfortable they make your daughter feel. I know how you feel though, even something as simple as tubes make me soooo nervous and scared. Good luck :)

My daughter was exactly 1 when she had her tubes in. We were only allowed back when they did the intial check of her ears and changed her clothes. Then we all (her too) sat in the waiting room until the dr was ready for the surgery, and they took her back without us. We were not there when she got put to sleep. We also had it done at a hospital. The actual procedure is real quick, and we were sent back to her as soon as she woke up. I sat and rocked her and they let her leave when she drank some juice.

They put her to sleep in the operating room, which is sterile, so I can understand why they don't want extra people in there. I believe it is a very common thing.

I also want to mention that she had ear infections 3 days after her antibotics wore off - every time. It was like every 2 weeks we were back at the doctors. After her tubes were in she never had another ear infection (she is now 3 1/2).

Good Luck tomorrow - and don't worry, everything will be fine!!

Jen

J., I just was online with wftv.com reading the paper on the left side on the bottom is a big article about the ear tubes thought you might want to read it to ease your mind a little.

our daughter had the same thing done when she was 13 months old...i didnt go in with her and i think that was better, because i would have been upset and it probably would have upset her more...i wanted to go in but they wouldnt let me...she is going to be really anxious when she gets out so that is going to be the hard part...our daughter couldnt hear well before the tubes so when she got them it was like a whole new world for her and very frightning...but it is so much better soon after...good luck...

My daughter was the same way. She had tubes put in when she was 11months old as well. She had never spent one minute of her life with a stranger.I am a stay at home mom and she was always right by my side. The only people she had ever stayed with was my mother or sister. I was VERY upset when they told me that I couldn't be with her when they put her to sleep as well. In fact, I canceled the surgery the morning of because I just couldn't handle the fact she was going to be taken away from me like that. I ended up calling back an hour after the surgery time had past due to my husband making me feel terrible about not having the tubes in and knowing what all she could keep going through.We went to the university medical center off University and Goldenrod. The surgery was less than 10 minutes and they made us wait for her to "fully wake up" which made me crazy cause when we went back there was a nurse holding my daughter who was very disoriented and wrapped up tightly in a blanket ( they said it was because she was squirming so much ) And I no so happily picked her up and quickly unwrapped her. We stayed anothter 20 minutes for observation and then we went home.She took a nap at home and when she woke up it was like she had never had surgery and she was walking perfectly! Before the surgery she kept falling every few steps.It was amazing. I'm hoping to never go through it again but the tubes are amazing. No problems since! Hope this helps and gets to you before surgery. It is rough but it is all worth it!

Hello! Sorry, I don't have any useful information for you yet. My 13 month son will be getting tubes in 2 weeks and I was just wondering if you could keep me posted on how your daughter does...I hate the thought of him being put to sleep alone as well. Best wishes.
J.

HI,

I hope the procedure went well!!! Were you ok with not being able to go in? My Daughter was supposed to get them awhile ago, but I was so scared. Now, she just turned five and most likely still has to get them. I guess I'm a little more at ease with her being a bit older. I just hope I didnt wait too long and cause her hearing loss. Anyway, I hope everything is going well!

man, I want you to email my friend who went through this with her 12 month old. She posted a request or something a few days ago, her name is Stefanie S. So you should be able to find her under requests and responses. She will walk you through it because she went through the same exact thing. Her little girl is doing very well, no ear infections. She got them all the time.

May God give you peace of mind and strength!
Pam

J.,
Please don't say you are a "problem" when it comes to your daughter. If they won't allow you in for the anesthesia, I can understand there reasoning. What you can ask, is for them to give her something to relax before if possible. Also, call the hospital and see what the policy is. Also talk to the Doctor personally, I think it is ultimately his/her decision.
Oh, and by the way, your husband should feel unbelievably proud and over the top Happy for a Mom like you. Lets let him carry a baby for 9 mo. THAN, nurse for another year. Hmmmmm... I don't believe he has given up his body for 2+ yrs. I did that twice with my 2 girls. BUT, it was acknowledged and appreciated when my little squeeze couln't really say Thanks Mom!!! Go with your Gut.
Oh, I've done this mistake with my first. They CAN feel when we are a mess or anxious. Trust me on this one. She will be looking to you and how you act to see if this is REALLY O.K. and it is no big deal, now worries.... Just fall apart after or before when she can't see!! Become an award winning actress. I think all Mom's should get an Academy!!

Hope this helped,
B.

My 3 year old son had tubes put in in Aug. He had chronic ear infections. I was really nervous about the whole thing. My husband came along with us. He was the one who actually went into the operating room with our son, and got to lay him down on the bed so that they could give him the anesthesia. He came back into the room where I was waiting and he was in tears. My husband is somewhat sensitive to things like this because he's had cancer since he was a young boy. So seeing his son cry for him and being helpless made him think of all of that. Our son was finished 10 mins. later. He was awake right after that. He was a little groggy so I held him. He drank his juice and watched some cartoons until they released him. Then he was fine in the afternoon. Good Luck. Don't worry. It's in Gods hands.

Hello, my daughter has had a few surgeries and the last one was in December for tubes in her ears. She is 3 years old and it doenst matter the age they still have a fit when you pass them off to a strange person that is taking them away. They do calm down once in the operating room. It is hard to watch them cry but before you know it its all over and you are with her as soon as she wakes up from the anesth. I do suggest that you mention that you want the IV taken out of her arm before she wakes. That is more tramatic than the surgery. Good luck and so far so good with us. No ear infections!!!

J.,
Mom son was also 11 months when he had ear tubes placed.
I am as protective a Mom as they come and I do not remember being allowed to accompany him while they operated. He was just fine (I was the nervous wreck) After the proceedure, the ear infections subsided and we all were much happier!
Best of luck, tomorrow...
R.

Hi J.,

We went through exactly the same thing! My son had ear infection after ear infection and had tubes at just over 1 year old. I also was not able to go into the room and it really isn't unusual for that to happen. You will be with your daughter right up until the time they take her in and the process only take 10-15 minutes tops (of course that feels like 10-15 hours for us mommys!). According to our doctor, children actually have a more difficult time when their parents are in the operating room. My son was also in an attachment phase, but the nurses were fantastic and I think he was mesmerized by all of the new things around him that he didn't even notice what was going on. The hardest part of the day was the prep. It took 5 seconds to get a little robe on him, and 15 minutes of waiting and him trying to jump off of the bed pulling it off. Your daughter may be a little cranky after the surgery, but my son bounced back with one dose of Tylenol and a trip for donut holes. He was back to normal just a few hours after the surgery and it has made all the difference in the world. He hasn't had an ear infection since (he's almost 3) and his speech skyrocketed.

Anyway, it is going to be tough for you to be away, but it really isn't unusual. You are definitely NOT a problem parent (I even tried to use "but my father is a physician" card in order to go in), just a concerned one. And that's the best kind of all!!!

:-) C.