To have or not to have tonsillectomy
By neelia_lyn
@neelia_lyn (2003)
Philippines
November 14, 2012 6:50pm CST
Hello mylotters!
I've missed mylot, been away for awhile. For almost a year, I have been been weighing and deciding if I will have my now 8-yr old child go through tonsillectomy. She has enlarged tonsils that didn't shrink back after almost 2 years. Last year, she suffered sore throats almost every other month but thankfully she only had 2 slight sore throat this year.
After some visits to the pediatrician, we went to see an ENT doctor and recommended that she has to have her tonsils removed because of complications that could lead to cardiac problems, kidney disease, etc. It's not the first time we were told that but the questions that linger on my head are: What if my child's tonsils are removed and found out later that it's not really necessary? Or what if tonsils were not removed because I thought she would outgrow it but then it would be too late to decide because of complications?
It's a hard decision to make in my part, aside from the financial problem to think of.
Maybe some of you or your kids had gone through tonsillectomy. I appreciate your suggestions or say on this matter. Thank you!
1 person likes this
7 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
21 Nov 12
I think you should take your doctors advice on this
all the best, urban
@neelia_lyn (2003)
• Philippines
22 Nov 12
Thanks, urban! These doctors, even if they have 30 years experience, have different opinions and contradict each others. It makes deciding more difficult. The best thing I can do for now is ask God for guidance and wisdom, and of course, miracle. 
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
15 Nov 12
I had my tonsils removed several years ago. I've got a problem now with pharangitis and sinusitis since nothing in my defense system is filtering my colds whenever I have colds. I did not get away with rheumatic heart fever, because I am still have pharangitis, the bacteria just go down. It was not explained to my by my doctor (sadly). Will there be any way that these enlarged tonsils shrink? maybe there are some other ways. Oh by the way, avoid sweets to avoid the tonsils to be swollen. That was the reason when I developed this sensitive tonsils. a lot of vitamin c to help him boost his resistance. but of course it would be better to ask for the 2nd opinion for a different doctor. Don't tell the new doctor of what your other pedia told you. Let this new doctor tell you. if it unanimous suggestion to undergo tonsillectomy you have no choice but this might be the best solution.
@neelia_lyn (2003)
• Philippines
16 Nov 12
Oh, that's the downside when we lost one or two important parts of our defense system.
Thank you for the advice and yes, vitamin c would be very helpful. I hope everything will be alright during and after the tonsillectomy. And I hope you are feeling better in spite of other health problems.
Thank you, mavic!
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
17 Nov 12
Yes, i have no health problems it is just that I am so careful with sweets nowadays and if I am tired i can't eat much of the sweets. I am just afraid that it will go to pharynx, and that can not be removed anymore. I am a teacher so my throat part next to my brain is the most used body part everyday. good health to your child too and to you too.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
15 Nov 12
It is of course up to you and your doctor...and they can grow back on the young ones, but my 2 year old grand daughter had a runny nose constantly 24/7 and always mucus draining and all that. She was on antibiotics constantly and still nothing worked. FInaly after several months...a doctor said.."why are you putting this child through this? She needs her tonsills out". My DIL said she was just following the doctors orders..(kaiser so every time she took her to the doctor a different doctor saw her and never referred to previous visits for info). They did a tonsillectomy on her....after 2 weeks of recovery...not a single bit of runny nose, no infections and 4 years later...she is still fine. Apparently the removal of the tonsills...was what was needed to stop/heal the infections caused by the constant runny nose and all! From what I know...tonsills are a non-necessary body part!
@neelia_lyn (2003)
• Philippines
16 Nov 12
Your granddaughter was only 2, a very brave one to go through surgery!
Did it affect her voice after the tonsillectomy?
I would still prefer to let my daughter keep her tonsils but if removing them helps improve her health, then I would go for it.
Thank you very much for sharing!
Did it affect her voice after the tonsillectomy?
I would still prefer to let my daughter keep her tonsils but if removing them helps improve her health, then I would go for it.
Thank you very much for sharing! 
@Rick1950 (1575)
• Lima, Peru
15 Nov 12
Hello Neelia_lyn, I had a tonsillectomy when I was an 8 years old child, and this was a long time ago. I think that today the technology is more advanced that on the days when I had the surgery and that's good. I'd keep in mind the recommendation of the ENT doctor, specially if the tonsils have grown large.
@neelia_lyn (2003)
• Philippines
16 Nov 12
Yes, the size of her tonsils last year is still the same. The hanging part (I think called the uvula) got stuck or connected to the other tonsil which makes it look really bad.
The ENT doc said it will be through laser and not the cold steel surgery and I think it is less painful for the patient.
Thank you, Rick
@Angelpink (4034)
• Philippines
15 Nov 12
Hi there ! Tonsillectomy is not a very expensive operation . It is not a choice for you but a must to have your kid undergo such operation. If you would not do it now so dangerous for its complications are life threatening and heavier problems you would be facing in the near future. If budget won't allow you in private hospital then go in public hospital , many good considerate doctor there and they will be asking very less. Do not be afraid many will help in your community , and God is also there 24 hours a day , so willing to help . My prayers for your kid. All the best !
@neelia_lyn (2003)
• Philippines
16 Nov 12
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Angelpink
My kid is so scared about it, so I try to pretend that I'm not worried. Yes I am praying so hard if this is the right decision we're going to make. Before making the final decision, we're going to see another ENT this coming week and see what he/she recommends.
Thanks again.
My kid is so scared about it, so I try to pretend that I'm not worried. Yes I am praying so hard if this is the right decision we're going to make. Before making the final decision, we're going to see another ENT this coming week and see what he/she recommends.
Thanks again.
@Sindelle (824)
• United States
15 Nov 12
I know you do not want to see your daughter go through surgery however it really sounds like its in her best interest. If they seriously feel that by not having a tonsillectomy her heath will be at risk then I'd definitely have it done. I know you've stated this isn't the first time a tonsillectomy has been brought up. Was it brought up by the same family doctor each time or did you try getting a second opinion? If you haven't gotten the second opinion yet I'd suggest getting one. I know times are tough and the upcoming holiday season doesn't help your pocketbook but if she needs this operation then its truly worth the sacrifice.
@neelia_lyn (2003)
• Philippines
16 Nov 12
The first two doctors were Pediatricians and the last one is an ENT doctor. I'd like to have my daughter be checked by another ENT doc this coming week and see what's he'll say, but just having a look at the tonsils (with the uvula stuck to one tonsil) I feel like it's going to be the same diagnosis.
Just like some I've read over the internet, kids have outgrown enlarged tonsils, something like their tonsils have shrink to normal sizes. I've been hoping that it would happen to my daughter but after more than a year, the tonsils have remained enlarged and that's what really got me worried.
All of your responses really helped a lot and I appreciate them.
Thanks!
@LovingMyBabies (85273)
• Valdosta, Georgia
15 Nov 12
I have not personally been through it but my sister had her tonsils removed and she is glad she did! She was constantly having sore throats and she got strep throat all the time. She finally had them removed and she feels so much better. She of course was sore for the first week or two but after that she was good!
I know this must be a hard decision for you as a parent... For my sister it was the best choice.
On another note, I should have had a surgery when I was a child that would have saved me MANY years of embarrassment and problems. My parents gave me the choice when I was a child, of course as most children would I said I did not want it because I was scared and my parents did not get it done! I wish they would have acted as parents and got it done for me because I suffered many years over it because they gave me the choice! Thank God it is nothing life threatening but I still suffer with it now and it could have been done with many years ago by now...
@neelia_lyn (2003)
• Philippines
16 Nov 12
I feel sorry that you suffer until now because of tonsil problems. I still feel like I can't let my daughter go through tonsillectomy, maybe because here in some parts of the Philippines, it's not that popular. Though I've met people who had their appendix and gallbladder removed.
Thank you for sharing. It sure did help ease my worry.
