Tonsillectomy

A tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures among children. It is uncommon among adults. More than 400,000 tonsillectomies are performed each year in the United States.

to fight infection

A tonsillectomy is a very simple procedure. Although I understand your anxiety, it is perfectly safe. What concerns me is that your pediatrician has not addressed your worries. The important thing is to alleviate your childs' concerns, by being very positive and "fearless" yourself. Many hospitals let tiny patients visit in advance,to help relieve any anxiety. Everything will be fine. And she/he will remember what a great time they had being the center of attention. And of course, the traditional ice cream/jello menu...:) Could you also tell me if she (my 3 yr. old) will be catheterized before or surgery or after she is under??? I have tried talking to her but she has no idea what I am talking about. So she still doesn't know she is having surgery. I had my tonsils removed exactly at age 3, way back in the sixties. Even though my brother had them taken out at the same time and spent the recovery time with me in the hospital, I was terrified. It is probably my first true memory of childhood. When a final checkup after surgery was done, I managed to escape and remember running through the hospital hallways in my pyjama, trying to reach any door handle to just get out of this. The whole time I felt that doctors were a threat and that my Mom was letting me down. My parents could have explained better what hospitals and doctors are all about, but I suspect a 3-year-old will always be frightened. Still - it was the best choice to reverse a chronic tonsillitis that had spread to my heart. I have been very healthy ever since. All the best.

Well, I haven't had my tonsils out, yet, but I will soon and my nose and throat doctor said that for about 1-2 weeks you will have a bad sore throat and probably not be able to speak either. The best thing to do is eat lots of mushy food or things that wont hurt the throat. So, yes... getting your tonsils out will change your voice for a while, but not forever....

You will be in EXTEME and I mean EXTREME pain few about a week. You won't die. If I have any tips for you it would be take your pain medicine, try your best to drink (no matter how bad it hurts) and do NOT eat anything that isn't soft at least for a couple of days. If your talking about in the hospital they will put you in a gown and then put you on a small bed and wheel you away. They will put you asleep for 10 minutes to an hour. When you wake up you will have an iv in and be in a lot of pain. You will be discharged sometime the same day. Good luck!

Thanks that wasn't my case... but apperentley I'm like a 1 in 100 case. I didn't have any type of pain, but I kept up with my medications... but I'm also 12 so you could've gotten your tonsils out at a much latter age. I drank lots of liquids and although I could eat hard foods on the night of day, I didn't risk it because I didn't want my scabs to come off too early. I started school on the first day which was 4 days after surgery. And fyi when it comes to surgery you're under anestics for an hour while the preform surgery. You take it through the mask first and once you're unconsius they put in the IV so they can take the mask off. I got out a half hour after I woke up.

It is quite normal to be scared, you should tell you mom, dad or guardian that you are scared and they and the nurses will help you. I have had the same operation and I can assure you that you don't or know or remember anything about the operation so don't worry.

1.3 million American Kids runnaway every year.

Sounds like tonsillitis, I recommend that you go to your doctor and they will prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection, if it comes back multiple times the doctor might recommend that you have them removed, I know from experience I had it three times before the doctor sent me to a ear, nose and throat specifically to have a tonsillectomy.

Not always you might have symptoms where your head, ears and throught hurt its best to check with your local doctor about these things

Do you lose your tonsils after the age of eighteen or can they fall out on their own?

You have to get your tonsils surgically removed, they can't just "Fall out."

Any irritation to the throat, bronchial tubes or lungs can cause a cough. Having your tonsils removed definitely irritates your throat and can cause a cough. However, to know for sure what is causing the cough and to find out if the cough could cause a problem after the recent tonsillectomy (such as trigger bleeding), it would be good to contact the surgeon who removed your tonsils and report the cough for them to determine what, if any, treatment you may need.

Ask your docter if it would be safe for you to try a presciption numbing spray or liquid. They make it and it works but it has to be safe for you and only the doc will know ! Hope U feel better soon.:)