https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 22:04:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2393698 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 13:55:02 +0000 HazelEyes 2393698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MtnBiker: @MamaG: good point, I always make sure to put the drops in my pocket or my fist for a little bit before giving them. A nurse at his follow up told us to do that. It made a BIG difference. Its not as shocking/painful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2393579 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:29:35 +0000 Bluebonnet 2393579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: Making the decision to get tubes was so scary, but the actual procedure was so quick (maybe 15 minutes long). LO was not happy coming out of anesthesia, but otherwise did great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2393578 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:28:55 +0000 MtnBiker 2393578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: I never have, but we keep it at room temp. I imagine it must feel weird at first, especially since you can't really warn them its coming (I tried, but he just looked at me all confused). When we did drops for his ear infection two weeks ago - he didn't even flinch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2393574 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:24:14 +0000 MamaG 2393574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MtnBiker: Thanks for the tip, do you try to warm the drops first? Is that even an option? I'm thinking like hold the bottle in your hand to warm it up for a few minutes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2393569 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:21:19 +0000 MtnBiker 2393569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HazelEyes: Totally agree with everything you said, the tubes are wonderful and it was over in a blink of an eye.</p> <p>my LO got his at 9 months, he has fluid buildup that doesn't drain without them - but they have made the infections so easy to deal with.</p> <p>@MamaG: The only wisdom I'd pass on is that the drops can feel cold in the ear... so there may be some squirming. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2393554 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:07:37 +0000 MamaG 2393554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HazelEyes: Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm trying to focus on the positive without getting dragged down with my own fears. The end goal is a healthy child and I hope we share your experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2393435 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 10:32:36 +0000 HazelEyes 2393435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: You will be SO thankful you are getting this done. It has been AMAZING. </p> <p>The surgery will be so quick you will barely have time to sit down and they will call you to go get her. When you first see her it can be a little unsettling, (J flopped around a lot and cried, but no more than a tantrum) its seems like forever but it will be quick. </p> <p>She can even have the surgery with an active ear infection and they will "clear it out."</p> <p>We got home, ate lunch and my guy took like a 3 or 4 hour nap and then was playing like nothing had happened.</p> <p>We have had one ear infection since and we could treat it locally with the drops leftover from the surgery, and it was cleared up in 3-5 days.</p> <p>You will be SO happy once you get through the anticipation of the surgery. Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2393170 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 00:43:57 +0000 MamaG 2393170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We saw the ENT today. We were four days into a five day antibiotic for the fourth ear infection. It was only in the right ear. She told us today both ears were infected and the antibiotic wasn't working. Which explains the fever that started a day ago! </p> <p>We are getting tubes. And much to our surprise we are getting her last open spot for the year. I'm hopeful and scared. I'll be glad to be on the other side of the surgery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2368997 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 07:33:25 +0000 MamaG 2368997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone. We have our consult 12/17. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2368316 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:51:00 +0000 blackbird 2368316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E got hers in July and hasn't had an ear infection since! She also had her adenoid out. Coming off the anesthesia really confused her and upset her for awhile...she was upset her shoe wasn't on, for example. Very tunnel vision focused. Took an hour to calm down. She just cried. After a few hours, she was ok and even wanted to go to the grocery store with me. </p> <p>I'm REALLY glad we got it done. I knew it was going to be a crappy procedure and it kind of was--those 2 hours post op were unpleasant (but i also think i tend to be more chill about medical procedures than a lot of people?....) and we just spent the day watching tv on the couch and being lazy. Totally fine the next day :) And she JUST had a big cold with zero infection afterwards, so i'd say it was a success :) She had had 5 in 6 months or something like that prior. All since the beginning of the year </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2368293 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:40:27 +0000 Mrs D 2368293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Best thing EVER!!!</p> <p>We had our consult in Mid January (with the ENT) after 7 ear infections (like you I think the fluid never went away for the last 2-3). K was 18 mos when she had it done.</p> <p>We had surgery scheduled for first week in Feb (2-3 weeks later) and unfortunately had to cancel bc of course K got the stomach flu the night before. Re-scheduled for the next week.</p> <p>Overall - it was a great experience. We had ours done at a local hospital (had to choose between hospital and surgical center) and they had a phenomenal childrens surgery center. They prepped K for about 1-1.5hrs, the anesthesiologist came and spoke to us - he informed us that he would come get her when they were ready...she also had a nurse that would stay with her the whole time (the constant). He offered that we could have a pro-longed "goodbye" and hope she stops crying (which he warned us was inevitable) or he can rip the bandaid and just walk her away while she was crying. We asked his opinion - he said "if she is going to cry when I come to take her - prolonging it wont make her stop". We opted to follow his advice and rip the band-aid. </p> <p>He came and took K a while later, she cried, I held it together mostly. Once she was out of the room and we packed up and made our way to the waiting room. Literally we were not in the room 10 mins and the Dr came and told us it was over and all was well. She said as soon as she comes to - someone will come get us. Kids can be very agitated coming out of the anesthesia so they recommended letting her wake up first before we came back.</p> <p>We stayed in recovery long enough for K to settle (took about 10 mins) and to have her eat some crackers and hold them down. We went home and just let her lay low for the day. She was fine and went back to daycare the next day.</p> <p>The improvement was not immediate and she did not startle easily (as the ENT had warned she could). She did have discharge for 2-3 days (real bad after the first night) I would say 3-4 months out we started to notice more words, now 8 mos out she is a crazy talker - so much improvement!</p> <p>We have had no more ear infections. We did find out that one tub has fallen out and one is on its way out. Our ENT suggested that she only does replacement tubes in 5% of patients. Usually when they fall out its because the tube has matured sufficiently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2368204 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:46:30 +0000 Smurfette 2368204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She got them done 3 months before she turned 2. I think it was 2 or 3 weeks before ENT appointment and surgery. The hardest part was not letting her eat or drink when she woke up and entertaining her when we were waiting on the doctor. They order surgery's by age, youngest first. It took maybe 20 mins for her to be back in our arms. By the time we got home, got her a late breakfast, she was running around like normal. She took a long nap, 3 hours, but that was the only unusual activity for her the whole day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2368197 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:42:25 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2368197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD had tubes put in at 11 months. She was sleepy and a little fussy the rest of that day, then completely fine after that. She'd had six ear infections in seven months before the tubes, and none after them. Hers fell out a year after they got put in and she got another ear infection, so she got new ones put in and again they've been totally fine.</p> <p>The procedure is super short. They put them under light anesthesia and I want to say it took like 20-30 minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2368195 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:42:03 +0000 Mamasig 2368195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Between my two boys, we've had three sets of tubes. Surgery is short and painless. The worst part is then waking up from anesthesia. They definitely work. I just wish they lasted longer. DS1's 1st set lasted a year. He got his second set in April and it already looks like one has moved out of the correct spot. I guess not much could be done because kids grow. But as long as they are in properly, they definitely work. Either we get no infections or the fluid drains out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2368090 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 11:30:13 +0000 Finfan 2368090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were able to get DD in for her tubes between Cheistmas and New Year's last year. I think her consultation was closer to Halloween or the beginning of November. She was 2.5 at the time and had a pretty severe speech delay. I don't recall her having an ear infection since but she has had 1-2 sinus infections. Happy to report that her speech has totally caught up with the expectations for 3.5 year olds. The surgery was easy and quick. We are extremely pleased with the results! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tubes#post-2368075 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 11:20:09 +0000 MamaG 2368075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My one year old has her third consecutive ear infection (or maybe it's one that has never resolved?). Her ped is referring to an ENT. I'm okay with her getting tubes, I just want my girl healthy. Timing is unfortunate that we have a higher deductible health plan that we just met due to an ER visit for her. So financially speaking, I'd like to do this before year-end if possible.</p> <p>Tell me about your experience with tubes and what the timeline looked like for you from start to finish. And I'd also love to hear post surgery stories of success (or not). </p>