What to Expect with 4 Year Old Getting Tonsil Out

My daughter had to have 6 diagnosed cases of strep throat in a one year time span before they would take her tonsils. She was 7 this summer when her tonsils were removed by Dr. Roh with ENT Associates at St. Lukes South. The surgery took 15 minutes we were in recovery with her for about an hour before she was released to come home with us. We had two prescriptions to fill one for a pain killer and the other was penicillin. Dr. Roh used Radio frequency ablation to remove the tonsils. The technique was recommended by a friend of ours who is a pediatric doctor. Our daughter had a sore throat for a while, but no bleeding or any side affects.

We did have to keep her home and quiet the first week on bed rest. Then it was two more weeks of restricted contact with other children and no intense exercise. Hard to do when all she wanted to do was be with her friends at summer camp.

Our son had his tonsils out when he was 3. He had overly large tonsils..and it was obstructing breathing once he got into a deep sleep.

Surgery went fine. We were promised that our darling son would be down for a few days and not want to eat or move around much. Well, our son was asking for pizza once he got home from the hospital and never stopped chatting. We thought we'd have some quiet days...but we were glad he was happy,healthy and recuperated well.

It is an in and out patient surgery. We had a visit with the ENT dr., then a pre op then surgery day then post op. It went very well and our boy has not had sleep/breathing issues since the tonsil/adenoidectomy.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that surgery is eminent. Tonsils are not removed on a whim these days. You will probably have to try some other regimens first if tonsillitis reoccurs a certain amount of times within a time frame.

Good luck and best wishes!!

Like other procedures tonsillectomy is best done as early as possible This seems to be borne out by the replies you've received. My brother started with serious tonsillitis as soon as he started school and missed lots of time with it over the years. My parents were put off by doctors for because as Momma W has written; "They don't take tonsils out on a whim these days"

It might be better if they did. My brother eventually had his surgery at 13 and had an awful time. He had two serious haemorrhages in a fortnight and had to have a transfusion after the second one. He pulled through and it transformed him into a fine, strong, healthy lad. The bigger and older you are the worse this operation affects you. Ask any adult who has had the experience.

Coming out of the anesthesia was the hardest part. My sone just cried and
cried. Then he was fine. Nothing stopped this kid. He drank and ate
without a problem. Kids are truly amazing.

surgery does not come so easily. For myself, I had strep repeatedly...& still the dr's refused to remove my tonsils.

For my son, after his 3rd/4th round in one year....our family dr sent us on to the ENT. She waited for 2 more rounds before deciding on surgery. Lots of antibiotics, lots of allergy meds....during this whole process!

I believe that the dr will start your child on stronger antibiotics (quite often 2-3 rounds are required before full healing). You may also be given a script for a steroid pack....which works wonders! Love the steroid packs! And, look for allergy testing &/or a variety of allergy meds to be tried before any type of surgery. Lots of options to try before surgery!