Physician is recommending a second round of tubes along with tonsillectomy, sinus widening and adenoid removal for a three-year old to improve fluid drainage to support improved hearing and reduce common sinus infections. What considerations might parents or patients keep in mind with these surgeries, as well as a second round of tubes?
Curious to hear answers to title question. Context: Since last August (2025) everytime I've gotten sick my tonsils have swollen up. I work in a school so I was sick basically once a month. I had tonsil swelling in August, twice in September, once in October, in February 2026, and in March that for a month straight instead of the usual week-long episodes I'd been having. Usually they never outlast the duration of the cold/flu that I was dealing with at the time, again with one exception. I'm currently sick now, its only been a couple days and my tonsils are annoying me with this persistent soreness. They look red and inflamed, but they've been worse before (Aug '25). The size has fluctuated between episodes as well. The ENT told me to wait to experience it for at least another year (that was in October) to even look into a tonsillectomy. My next appointment is in October, so a month and a half away. I want to be prepared with the right concerns/questions in case I need a tonsillectomy.
Does it sound like I'd be eligible for one? Could the tonsil swelling just be my body's reaction to being sick? I mean I know its not ideal but neither are cold symptoms overall. Most swelling in the body is for protective purposes right? Maybe if I try to strenghten my immune system I will stop getting sick and it will stop happening... but that will be a while, especially because I work in a new school now and will be building new immunity to whatever the teens and staff at this place pass around.
If I get them removed won't I be more likely to get sick since they are part of my immune system? I'm also worried because I talk a lot as a teacher so there's not really a convenient time for me to be able to shut up. I also have an irrational fear of anesthesia and surgery, so perhaps thats why I'm making excused... What do I do?!?
My other health info: AFAB 23, cannabis smoker, fairly active, fair diet. Lmk if I'm missing something.
(Edit to add: Never been positive for strep, or covid during these episodes. First ever swollen tonsil episode was with mono dx in Aug 2024 but that went away after 2 or 3 weeks. I can imagine mono might be the culprit for these episodes now...Damn you mono)
My 1-year-old went in this week to have a dermoid cyst removed behind ear. The surgeon operated in the wrong location (2-3 inches away from cyst on neck/head) and removed a lymph node instead. The cyst is still there, so my baby now needs another surgery. Doctor admitted the mistake when we showed him after surgery that cyst is still there. I feel devastated, angry, guilty, and unable to accept what happened. In search of another surgeon now and would like recommendations in Austin. Thanks
My 1-year-old went in today to have a dermoid cyst removed behind ear. The surgeon operated in the wrong location (2-3 inches away from cyst on head) and removed a lymph node instead. The cyst is still there, so my baby now needs another surgery. Doctor admitted the mistake when we showed him after surgery that cyst is still there. I feel devastated, angry, guilty, and unable to accept what happened. Just looking for some support from other parents.
Hi, im a 3rd yr MS who is into ENT and from a long ago i wanted to be the president of my uni ENT interest club; however, things spiraled and now i have no chance to be there at all, not like a president. So i want to open up a new interest club in one of the specility of ENT, otology and skull surgery for instance, and want to take the lead from there after. I just want to know what subspecility i can have the interest revolves around, whats my options. I know its kinda trivial but i really need help
First application was rejected, and now they asked for letter where I explain my itinerary and what it is that I do.
I am not a native English speaker, so I am unsure of which term is better for such a letter.
3 months ago I noticed water getting stuck in my ear after a shower. I went to the ENT who cleaned out the earwax using a metal rod/scraping tool. It hurt ALOT while he did it - I felt pain in the ear canal not the ear drum.
3 months later I still get a throbbing feeling/low pain sensation (1 or 2 out of 10) in that ear. Is this permanent damage? I haven't been to the ENT since but like is there a point in going? Is this something he can fix or would i be wasting my money booking a consult?
Side quesiton, when I was getting the procedure done, there was a nurse that simply "held" my head as a means to keep it steady-I'd assume there would be a bed where my head is strapped into to prevent movement no? There was nothing stopping me from sneezing mid procedure and causing alot of damage. Is simply having a nurse hold my head normal, or should there have been a bed/chair with straps for the head? Although a head strapped into place while trying to sneeze sounds dangerous too...