What do you recommend for a 5 y.o. getting a tonsillectomy?

Ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream. :)

If the five year old will be hospitalized overnight, you need to prepare them for that. Perhaps a book like this one purchased beforehand and read to them several times.

Perhaps a new and special stuffed animal to act as their hospital guardian.

Forgot about the foods:

“What to Eat After Tonsillectomy Surgery
Fluids are very important the first 48 hours after surgery. Fluids should be encouraged, as surgery and the healing process can contribute to dehydration, even though the patient does experience pain when swallowing. Skip the ice cream for the first day, along with other dairy foods for the first 24 hours after surgery. Dairy products can make a film in the mouth and throat. Popsicles are an excellent alternative, as they are cold and soothing and help with the patient’s fluid requirements.

Avoid using straws while recovering from this surgery. It is very easy to poke or injure the surgical sites with a straw. For small children, a sippy cup is fine, as there is no risk of injury to the throat.
What to Eat After Tonsillectomy Surgery
Opt for these foods, which you may want to purchase before the surgery so you’re stocked up and ready:

* Cold Foods – The cold of the food may help with the pain and swelling. Popsicles, frozen fruit pops and sorbet are ideal.

* Soft Foods – Mashed potatoes, pasta, cottage cheese (after the first 24 hours), and soup.

* Juice, Water, Athletic Drinks, Punch- Remember, if it is very cold, it may help with the pain and swelling.”

Source

Listen, just be glad your 5 year old isn’t in Russia where they removed by adenoids without anesthesia of any kind, scarred me for life. :) I do think you should prepare them for pain after the procedure and that you’ll give them medication for it.

FYI: outpatient surgery in the US performed by pediatric-specialized personnel using the latest laser scalpel

@robmandu Well that’s good. :)

My recommendation is have a second opinion before you do it.

Assuming you have done that, ice cream, plenty of ice cream, and pain medication for a few days.

One thing I don’t see mentioned is Jello which was a great thing when I had mine out because it slides right down

@JLeslie Ice cream (and all dairy products) are not recommended after a tonsillectomy.

@marinelife OK, sorbet.

Follow the doctor’s advice for optimal healing. If the doc says soft foods for one week, don’t give anything prior to the 7th day…maybe even extend the soft foods a day or two to ensure proper healing.

I have a couple of bad stories, all due to people not following doctor’s orders.

One be in the room as the kid is being knocked out and ask if you can be with them when they wake. I remember being in a room of kids when I got my tongsils taken out at age 10. I was old enough to understand but I was still scared. I remember one kid crying and I went to go sit with her. She was maybe about 6 or 7. She was scared because her throat hurt and parents weren’t their yet. The nurses were busy and didn’t even check in on us. One of the nurses came in and was mad that I had moved. I didn’t want her to keep crying because I knew it would hurt her more.
The best part of the whole deal was plenty of icecream and jello and gingerale and water. All the cartoon I could watch too, to keep me still for at least a day. Usually ice at first.. Bedrest for a day and then the next day go to mushy foods, like mash potatoes and soups, and soft fruits like bananas or water melons.