ArthroCare ENT US
ArthroCare ENT InternationalIf your child is scheduled to have a tonsillectomy it is important to spend time explaining the What, When, Where, Why and How of tonsillectomy to them. Knowing what to expect will help relieve their anxiety. Here are a few discussion topics to help get the conversation started.
What are tonsils for?
Tonsils help catch germs that enter your body when you breathe through your nose or mouth.
Do I need my tonsils?
When you were a baby, your tonsils were important to help keep you healthy. As you get older they are less important and can cause problems. Your body can stay healthy without your tonsils.
Why do I have to have my tonsils out?
Some kids get their tonsils out when they become so large that they interfere with breathing. Then they get in the way of breathing and swallowing to breathe and may make it hard to sleep well at night.
Other kids get their tonsils out because they become infected all the time and cause a lot of very painful sore throats.
Tonsils are taken out to help make these problems go away.
What do tonsils look like?
They are two clumps of tissue in the back of your throat. You can see them in a mirror when you stick out your tongue and say “AHHHHH.”
How does the doctor take them out?
The doctor will open your mouth wide and take your tonsils out with a special wand that dissolves your tonsils.
Does it hurt?
You won’t feel anything during the surgery, because you will be asleep. When you wake up your tonsils will be gone. Your throat will be sore, but the doctor will make sure you have some medicine that will help it feel better.
Will I have to stay in the hospital?
Probably not. After the doctor takes your tonsils out, you will have to stay for a few hours to make sure you’re feeling better.
How much school will I miss?
You’ll be ready to go back to school in a few days. But you can stay home longer if you’re not feeling well. We’ll make sure to let your teacher know.
