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@Truth Bombs: nurses are pretty magical we actually don't know the ent yet. we will meet him next week. But even our pediatrician who we have been seeing since he was born barely gets smiles and only the tiniest amount of cooperation. He is the friendliest kid ever and will go to anyone, but doctors freak him out When we have to take him to urgent care because the office is closed it's a complete scream fest

@Mrs. Lion: E just had tubes and adenoids out at 2.5. Coming out of the anesthesia is the worst because they're very disoriented. She just cried for a good 30 min. They gave her some Morphine and DH laid in the bed and held her until she calmed down a bit. She was also distraught about her shoes not being on...We took her home and she watched tv on the couch and took a BIG nap. Then felt fine because she just had to come to the grocery store that afternoon and get a free cookie with me

They had a little red wagon for her to ride to surgery in, but she ended up dancing to the OR with one of the nurses. It was adorable

@Mrs. Lion: K got tubes when she was 18 mos...so obviously not as old as your little one. She had a nurse who was her "constant" for the entire process - would be with her when all the different people were shuffling in and out.

Before the procedure - the anesthesiologist came in to introduce himself and walked us through the whole process. He was very nice and explained that he would be the one to come and take her and that the nurse would go with him. He said he will let the "goodbye" go on as long as we wanted - but did encourage that it likely wont be pleasant and his experience is the just rip the bandaid. Rather than wait and hope K calms down and goes happily. DH and I decided we would rip the bandaid to make it as quick on both parties. K cried as he carried her out - the nurse and I both telling her it was ok. I surprisingly did not sob - more of a whimper. Someone came and got us to the waiting room (we had been back in pre-op); it was literally no more than 10 mins after we walked into the waiting room that the Dr came and said she was done, K did great and a nurse would be getting us shortly to be with her when she woke up. She was coming to when we got back there...we were told to wait with her as long as we wanted before going home. She had the teddy bear she was given (by the hospital) and then was allowed to choose a book as well....we sat (she was a little extra clingy but not cranky) for about 30 mins. They suggested she try drinking something and eating a small cracker. When she did good with both those they told us she was fine to leave but we were welcome to stay as long as we wanted. We waiting another 20 mins or so - then went home.

I believe if I recall she was given some laughing gas before they started anything else. But cannot remember specifically.

FWIW - K had had 7 ear infections when we had the surgery. The Dr indicated her hearing had been compromised 30-40% by the excessive fluid in her ears. She told us to expect dramatic increase in talking...it was not instant but now 8 mos later - the flood gates have opened (I'd say I noticed the biggest difference 2 mos after surgery).

It has been amazing...I am so glad we did it. Though we did find out one has fallen out already and 1 is on its way out. The Dr said that is normal and not to be worried as she only does replacements in about 5% of cases!

My only recommendation is if given the choice of locations (our Dr does the surgery at a local hospital - known for the childrens center and at a outpatient facility) choose the hospital. I know 99.9% of the time these procedures go off without a hitch but I definitely found comfort in the moment knowing if god forbid something did happen we were in a facility that was best suited to handle anything.

Good Luck!!!

@Mrs. Lion: my DD got her tubes at a surgical center. They have a central OR with waiting rooms on one side and recovery rooms on the other side. We stayed with DD in the waiting room until she was out. The anesthesia was just gas, and they put a scent in it so it smelled like strawberries. I held her while she breathed in the "strawberry air" and once she was out, an orderly took us around to the recovery room while DD was wheeled into the OR. I basically had time to drink a cup of water and then they were wheeling her into the recovery room. She came out of the anesthesia a few minutes later and was super grumpy/crying for awhile but wasn't in pain -- apparently it's mainly disorientation and waiting for the gas to totally wear off that causes the grumpiness. I was really glad that there was never a moment when she was awake that we weren't with her. After lunch and a nap, she was completely fine and we haven't had any ear issues since.

We did the opposite from @Mrs D and had the procedure done at the surgical center instead of the main hospital. They advised us that things go much more smoothly there, the setup is better, and you don't risk being bumped by emergency patients. After the fact, I do wish we had gone with the hospital, but that's because of a safety issue that came to light regarding the surgical center and not because of our experience on the day. It was nothing we could have predicted beforehand, though, so if we were back in the same position at the same time, we'd have still made the same choice.

I just wanted to share at lo got his tubes a little over a week ago and it has been life changing!! my sweet boy must have been feeling so so awful, because his behavior is completely different. we have my daughters scheduled for a week from now...I can't stand the thought of her suffering for the next 2 years. she's had recurring infections too thanks for calming my nerves mommas!