NPR My baby needs surgery :( UPDATE

rainydayluck · February 2014

I suspected DD was having breathing trouble when sleeping and she snores like crazy. We went to an ENT and they recommended surgery or get a sleep study to confirm. We opted for the sleep study and we got the results: she has severe sleep apnea. She is having an average of 20 obstructions an hour. She now has to be scheduled to have her tonsils and adenoids removed. Due to the severity, they want her to stay overnight in the hospital and have a follow up sleep study 6 weeks after the surgery to make sure the apnea is gone. I am so scared for her to be put under. Anybody have experience with their LO being put under for surgery? Any tips? Good stories? UPDATE: We are scheduled for surgery on the 24th. Your stories and support have been awesome and have calmed my nerves considerably. I am now looking forward to her sleeping and (hopefully) eating better once all is said and done. Thank you so much!

MrsT2008 · February 2014

Poor thing! And poor mama!! No experience, just wanted to give you hugs!

ksyknelvr73 · February 2014

I don't have any advice, I just wanted to offer ((HUGS)) b/c I can understand your worries. I hope the surgery goes perfectly smoothly and the issues are resolved!

krlovell · February 2014

Our little guy had tubes put in when he was 9 months old and then had his tonsils and adenoids removed at 15 months. Yes it's scary. With that being said these surgeries are fast! They will schedule your LO at the butt crack of dawn so they are still sleepy and not quite awake to be scared, and then by the time they tell you to go wait and take your baby it will be like 20 mins and they will call you you to come and sit in recovery until they wake up so they are less afraid. Yes it's harder on the parents as we know that they won't understand why this and that hurts and why they are in a strange bed in a strange environment, but all that being said my son was in chronic pain from ear infections that wouldn't go away. As long as you feel that the long term out weighs the bad for you it's worth it, especially since it's ten times harder are you than them. I know it's hard but they are little will heal unbelievably fast and probably won't even remember it. Good luck I know it's hard to see our little ones hurt or struggling!

mrt · February 2014

My son had to be put under several times last year while in the hospital for a severe infection. No invasive surgeries but they had to put a central line in and out and needed to be put under for a couple of ct scans. They had me carry him into the or and hold him until he was out. If they have you do that, be prepared - it was tough.

We were at a children's hospital and I felt really good that the anesthesiologist was only used to working with children. Not sure what your situation is like.

I would ask if you can go to recovery while she is still waking up. Theyl second time they didn't call me back until he was already awake and he was screaming and terrified. It would have been better if i had been there when he woke up.

LunaBug924 · February 2014

Aww, poor little thing. I don't have any advice, but wanted to give some (((hugs))). I hope everything goes ok.

rainydayluck · February 2014

Thanks for the support and tips! I call to schedule the surgery tomorrow and will ask if the anesthesiologist is a pediatric one.

talkthewholetime · February 2014

My nephew had the same surgery when he was 2 or 3 (I can't remember). He was uncomfortable for a few days, but came out of it like a champ. He sleeps so much better!

Xath · February 2014

My little sister had this issue when she was a baby. I remember having to go to the ER over and over again as a kid because she'd stop breathing in the middle of the night. When she was about your LO's age, she had her tonsils and adenoids removed. She was grumpy for a few days, but came through it like a champ, and my parents never had to worry about her ability to breathe at night.

They were told (this was 14 years ago) that it's better to do it when they're little like that, because there are many fewer risks for complications than there would be if you wait.

I've had to put my LO under general anesthesia for an MRI, and it's definitely scary, but just talk to the doctor about what your options are. She might be old enough that you could opt to do nitrous oxide instead of the regular GA (I'm not sure if that's an option for this type of surgery), but it has fewer risks than the other anesthesias we looked at for this age range. She may (will) wake up incredibly grumpy because of the drugs, but it wears off quickly.

Also, it's my firm opinion (not a doctor) that little ones who get their tonsils/adenoids removed get to eat as much ice cream as they want. My sister was too little that she doesn't remember the surgery now, but at the time she thought it was fantastic because she got to eat tons of ice cream. Good luck!

Bootsie327 · February 2014

My sister had this surgery in the late 70s and was just fine, so I'm sure it's even more easy now! I don't have any first hand experience as a mom, but I am sorry you are going thorough this and I know your DD is going to feel so much better! Hugs to you.

spinsoffresonance · February 2014

DD had surgery (blocked tear duct and a cyst removal) at 12m. Obviously at that age she had no idea what was going on, so it would be different for a toddler. The worst part about it for me was knowing I was doing the right thing for my child but still feeling like it was the wrong thing to do. DH went to the OR with DD and held her until she was under. He wanted me to take her but the doctor wouldn't let me because I was pregnant. We both waited in the waiting room during the surgery, took less than 30min. The nurse came to get us once DD was in recovery. I was annoyed that they didn't get us before she woke up, so by the time we got there she was hysterical. We went home 15min later, took it easy for the rest of the day. DD didn't seem to know anything unusual had happened.

MamaLlama14 · February 2014

Sorry to hear that. I don't have any experience with my LO getting surgery, but I had my own tonsils removed as a teenager. It is a very routine procedure that did do WONDERS for my breathing and sore throats. They say that you heal much better from this particular surgery as a child, too, so hopefully that means it will be a quick and easy recovery for her.

good luck!

jenniferroshto · February 2014

Both of mine have had tonsils and adnoids out. DS has asthma and since those have been gone we've only had two flare ups and no more snoring. Its been two years since his surgery. His adnoids were 100% blocking his airway and his tonsils were nearly touching. No wonder he had so much trouble!

FlemDance · February 2014

I'm so sorry! I have no advice to give but I'm sending love and hugs your way!

Soupy84 · February 2014

No experience but I want to send out big hugs! I know this is terrifying, but take some measure of comfort in knowing it is for the best in the long run.

Lovenyc · February 2014

I know how stressful this can be. My son had tubes in at 11 months and then a 2nd set of tubes and adenoids out at 22 months. He also had an inguinal hernia surgery at just 8 weeks.
I think the biggest fear is the unknown. It is always worse on the moms than on the babes.
I would try and schedule surgery for as early in the am as possible. You will not believe how FAST the whole procedure will be. Seriously, in and out. I didn't go into the OR with him. DH took him in...and for that, I am grateful.
I would be prepared for the post-op. He did well w the 1st two surgeries but the 3rd? Not so much. The dr warned me that he could be inconsolable as he was coming out of the anesthesia. He basically screamed with his eyes closed for close to 20 minutes. There's nothing wrong. It can sometimes happen. It was very, very scary. I cried, he cried. I was happy when it was over. He was up and about just a few hours later. Good luck!!!

rainydayluck · February 2014

jenniferroshto said:
Both of mine have had tonsils and adnoids out. DS has asthma and since those have been gone we've only had two flare ups and no more snoring. Its been two years since his surgery. His adnoids were 100% blocking his airway and his tonsils were nearly touching. No wonder he had so much trouble!

That's wonderful to hear! DD has asthma too, so maybe it will help that too!

TheBeeCharmer · February 2014

I don't have any experience, but I'm thinking of you and your LO.

deanna1313 · February 2014

Poor baby and poor you:( I'm sure the surgery will go well. Wish I had some advice for you.

Jillzy86 · February 2014

No experience with this but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your LO.

pistolpackinmomma · February 2014

Poor kiddo! Just keep in mind that this is so much easier recovery the younger they are. I had my tonsils removed (and something with my adenoids) two years ago when I was 23. Sucked. I was out if work for 3 weeks and even then I could barely eat. I was so sick of Popsicles and jello. My cousin had the same thing done when he was like 6 and wa back to school within a week!

pistolpackinmomma · February 2014

Oh and do they have CPAPs for kids that little? DH has one and he sleeps so much better now! And it's not that crazy noisy like the older machines were.

Veittobe · February 2014

My DD is 2 1/2 and just had surgery a couple weeks ago for a kidney reflux. I was really nervous about the anesthesia but they made it so much fun for her! They came in a played toys and showed her the masks and gowns everyone would be wearing and let her try some on as well. Then they let her wheel herself down to the OR in a "firetruck". She was all smiles driving that thing down the hallway. Then, once in the OR, the anesthesiologist asked her to help him "blow up a balloon" with her mask (which delivers the gas to put her under). Once she did that he continued to draw a face on the balloon while she breathed in the gas and fell asleep. They did amazing.

She was groggy when she woke up and in a little pain but even with having her little abdomen cut open she was running and playing just over 24 hours later. Little kids bounce back so much more quickly than we realize!

It will be worth it. You'll be so glad when it's through. Just think of how much better she will sleep and how much happier she will be in the long run.

Good luck! It's nerve-wracking, but they'll take good care of you and her.

SNOakes · February 2014

Sorry, didn't read through all the responses. DS was put under when he got his ear tubes. He did fine. They tend to scream for a little bit when they wake up because the anesthesia causes confusion, but then the sleep it off and it's no big deal. I had a friend who's son had the same surgery your daughter is having and they said it was a world of difference. He slept awesome and ate a ton because he was feeling so much better. He was also very well behaved afterwards (not that he was terrible before) because he was well rested and feeling good. Hope it's the same for you!

mrstengallonhat1 · February 2014

No experience, but just wanted to say good luck! I hope she recovers quickly and all goes well for her!

christieep · February 2014

How scary for everyone! I hope the sleep studies bring you answers and she gets a long term solution.

sparklingdiamond · February 2014

I don't have any experience, but just wanted to say good luck and I hope this helps her!

julesf817 · February 2014

My dear friend's little girl had the EXACT same thing! along with the sleep issues, she also hated eating, and they suspected this was why they could never get her to put on weight.

she had the surgery a few months ago, tonsils and adenoids, and she is SO much better now. she recovered really quickly and has since gained 5lbs, sleeps really well and doesn't snore! no more constant runny nose either. my friend said the only downside has been that she can't hear her snoring from down the hall now so she feels compelled to check on her all the time!

83edwards · February 2014

My first little guy had surgery at 10 months.....I remember how scary it is! Hugs to you!

ArmyMedic7588 · February 2014

I'm so sorry you and your LO have to go through this! I know it can be stressful. When I was really little I had to have surgery on both my eyes and my mom told me it was hard on her. They said the best thing they did for me since they couldn't hold me until I was out was the Dr allowed me to hold my favorite stuffed animal. When I came out of anesthesia I slept for hours afterwards. I don't know if that was just to help my discomfort because I wasn't able to open my eyes well for awhile or not. Mom also laughed cause they said I wouldn't be very hungry, apparently I had two helpings of everything on my plate that night! I hope you're little one loves ice cream! Sending thoughts and prayers for you and your LO and quick recovery!

Unknown · February 2014

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IBackBevo · February 2014

Oh no! So sorry! No experience with LO having surgery thankfully. T&P to you.

EmilyGolden1 · February 2014

No advice/experience-just want to send love and hugs to you and baby~

awknyc · February 2014

Sorry

must be so difficult to see your LO go through this. Sending T & P!

Arinias · February 2014

I have no good tips for you but just wanted to say I am sending T&Ps for a smooth surgery and quick recovery!

rainydayluck · February 2014

Thanks everyone! I left a message with the surgery coordinator to set it up, so hopefully we can get in ASAP. I feel much better after hearing/seeing everyone's stories.

MIZZOU527 · February 2014

My DD actually went through the same thing. Diagnosed with sleep apnea at 3, tonsils and adenoids removed at 3.5. Best. Decision. Ever! She also had to say one night in the hospital, but our ENT only wanted a second study if it didn't alleviate her symptoms. Not one problem since! Our ENT and hospital staff were AMAZING! The head anesthesiologist even played the theme song to the Pink Panther on his phone (since she was carrying her stuffed one) and had a dance party back to the OR. Hardest part for us was coming out of anesthesia and then the recovery. You have to push fluids CONSTANTLY which is hard with little kids. It won't be easy...but it will get better. GOOD LUCK!!!!