Tonsils! In or Out???

Question

My daughter is 16.She has had 5 sore throats in a year.One case of tonsilitis.Doc says 'take them out'. I thought those days were over with.She's scared because the surgeon says 'better do it now than when you get older'.I'm confused. I had mine out when I was 5, but that was in the 50's when they took everyones out. I thought things had changed regarding tonsils. Please, your thoughts?

Answer 1

She's had 5 sore throats and they say to yank them? I think that's stupid. If she was having repeat cases of strep or tonsillitis then maybe... but a handful of sore throats and one case of tonsillitis? I don't think I'd do it.

FWIW I had my tonsils out at 16, back in the early/mid 90's. They still do it...but I had like 5 or 6 cases of strep and a case of mono all in one year.

Answer 2

The doctors that I have worked for in the past say that the older you are when you get them out, the harder it is on you. I had mine out at 6, my sister at 15. It just took her a couple of days longer to feel better than it did me. My father had his out when he was 18 and said he wished they had done it when he was younger. So far, my daughter is 10 and has had no problems but you never know. It is still a very common procedure and it happens frequently. It seems that the main reason they don't do it like they used to is regulations by health insurance companies. They require certain things before they will approve the surgery which is why it is on a case by case basis and you see it in older children and young adults.

Answer 3

Know the asteroid wellhead tonsil stones them for many years and it's been title not eventually.

Best decision I've ever made! I was shocked by the way of getting out the stones out. It was so easy, but more importantly, painless. I really liked the little trick he had for preventing gag reflex. He have one happy customer here.

Cure Tonsil Stones Permanently?

Answer 4

I had tonsilitis when I was a teenager all the time. I wish my parents would have had them taken out. The doctor told them that I would eventually out grow them and he was right, I did not have any more by the time I was 35. But, that was a long time of pain and suffering. If you wait until after your mid twenties, their is a longer healing time involved. We all know that the older you are, the longer it takes to bounce back. Also, the risk of bleeding is significantly increased with age, hence "better do it now than when you get older" comment. From my own experience, it was not worth it to wait till I outgrew it. Good Luck and let your daughter decide what she prefers to do.

Answer 5

I think you're safe leaving them in. When my son (age 5) developed problems with sore throats and swollen tonsils, the doctor said that they don't do tonsillectomies unless there is obstructive sleep apnea (ie-the tonsils are actually blocking the airway and the child stops breathing for seconds at a time). Tonsillitis can be treated with antibiotics.

Answer 6

If you don't trust the doctor who told you to take them out, then get a second or a third opinion.

Doctors no longer take out tonsils as a "rule" but if the person has reoccuring infections and other respiratory problems, they may recommend the procedure.

Remember infections in one part of the body could affect negatively other parts of the body. Listen to your doctor!

Answer 7

When tonsils need to come out, they need to come out. It is not done as frequently now, but when the doctor recommends it, there is a serious problem. If she doesn't mind constant sorethroats and serious discomfort then let her wait. I know you are concerned, but anestisia now is much safer than when you underwent surgery. If you really feel that the doctor is incorrect, seek a second opinion from another doctor.

Answer 8

My 5 years old boy,( he is 11 now), had problems during the night. While he was asleep he could not breath well and had swollen tonsils very often. After they were removed, he got better and that was it. Take them out. Doctors know better!!!

Answer 9

I think it would be best for your daughter to have her tonsils taken out. My little girl had her tonsils and adenoids taken out back in July of this year. She had 3 cases of tonsilitis in one month, several ear infections, and she kept a sore throat. It took her about a week to get over the surgery. She is doing great now!! Also my boss had his tonsils removed a month or two before my daughter. He is in his late 40's and his recovery was alittle over a week. Below is some information regarding the tonsils!

Have you ever had tonsillitis? That's when your tonsils, in the back of your throat, get sore and infected. If tonsillitis happens to you a lot, the doctor may suggest you have an operation to remove your tonsils. No tonsils, no more tonsillitis. Or maybe you have really large tonsils that make it hard for you to breathe at night. That's another reason the doctor may say they should come out.

Your tonsils are two lumps of tissue that work as germ catchers for your body. The trouble is that sometimes germs like to hang out there, where they cause infections. In other words, your tonsils start causing more problems than they solve. And because they're on either side of your throat, they can get in the way of breathing.

The surgery to remove tonsils is called a tonsillectomy (say: tahn-suh-lek-tuh-mee).

After this operation, kids usually don't have as many sore throats. And, if they were having trouble breathing at night, that problem goes away, too. Without tonsils, a kid won't look any different and he or she won't have any scars that anyone can see. You don't need your tonsils, so a kid's body keeps on working just fine even after they've been removed.

But how do doctors get the tonsils out of your throat? Will it hurt? And what exactly do tonsils do back there? Let's find out.

Before the Tonsillectomy
Before you go to the doctor, you may need a blood or urine (pee) test. These tests might be done at your doctor's office, at a medical center or laboratory, or at the hospital a few days before your operation.

You'll also need to pack your suitcase and bring anything you want to have with you. If you have a special stuffed animal or blanket, go ahead and bring it. It's nice to have something that reminds you of home when you're in the hospital.

The night before surgery, you won't be allowed to eat or drink anything - not even water. That's because your doctors don't want you to throw up during the operation. That would be a mess. So if you don't eat or drink, there's nothing in your stomach to throw up.

You'll probably go to the hospital on the day of your surgery. Your mom or dad will help you get admitted. It's kind of like checking into a hotel. You let the hospital know you're there and they give you your room assignment. You'll also get a plastic bracelet that has your name on it. Once you're in your room, you'll meet the nurses and other hospital staff who will take care of you. Your mom and dad can stay with you. Sometimes, they can even sleep in the hospital room or nearby.

Talking Tonsillectomies
Tonsils are removed in the operating room, so you'll have to take a ride on a gurney. A gurney is like a bed on wheels. When it's time for your operation, you'll get a medicine called anesthesia (say: ah-nus-thee-zhuh). It will help you fall asleep and keep you from feeling any pain during the operation.

It takes only about 20 minutes to take out the tonsils. During the surgery, doctors will open your mouth and remove the tonsils with a cutting tool or an electric cautery (burning tool). Hurray for anesthesia because you won't feel anything during the operation. The doctors will quickly take care of any bleeding, and before you know it, you'll wake up in the recovery room.

You may feel sleepy and dizzy at first. But soon you will feel a lot better and your mom or dad will come in to see you. You'll probably have a sore throat and maybe a slight earache.

What Happens Afterward?
After your operation, it's important to drink fluids when you wake up. You should try to drink, even if it hurts a bit at first. This will help you feel better and get home faster. Sometimes kids stay in the hospital overnight, but most go home the same day as their operation.

The first 2 days at home should be spent in bed. Drink fluids and eat soft foods. This will help keep your throat moist and your body fueled. Have your mom or dad stock the refrigerator with soft drinks, icepops, gelatin, ice cream, and pudding. Other good things to eat are mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta, and warm soup.

While you're getting better, you'll take a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You also may get antibiotics (say: an-tye-bye-ah-tiks) to prevent infection. You may see little white patches in the back of your throat. This is normal. After the first week, the white patches will fall off. You doctor may also have you return to his or her office for a checkup.

Within 2 weeks, you should feel much better. You'll be ready to go back to school and play with your friends again. You can tell them all about your tonsillectomy!

Answer 10

Doctors don't take tonsils out like they used to. But when they need to come out then it is best to get it done. I have heard that there are new and improved procedures with shorter down time.