Are You a Good Candidate for a Tonsillectomy?
A tonsillectomy, or removal of the tonsils, is one of the most common procedures performed each year. In fact, more than half a million children have tonsillectomies annually. Tonsils are glands located at the back of your throat that fight infections. You can see them if you open your mouth, but sometimes tonsils become enlarged or chronically infected. If you or your child have frequent bouts of tonsillitis or the tonsils are so large they cause sleep apnea or trouble swallowing, it may be time to consider a tonsillectomy. Dr. Daniel J. Leeman can assess your situation to see if you’re a tonsillectomy candidate.
What Makes Me a Tonsillectomy Candidate?
Occasional sore throats and tonsillitis is nothing to worry about, but if you have had tonsillitis four times the past 12-month period, or 5 to 7 times in two years, it’s time to take action. Snoring in children can be a sign of sleep apnea, which is often caused by enlarged tonsils. Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing for brief periods, which affects sleep quality and overall health. Children younger than 3 years old are not good candidates for the surgery.
Although tonsillectomy is considered a low-risk surgery, our office will answer all of your questions and address any concerns. It is important to be in generally good health and approach treatment with realistic goals and expectations.
The Procedure–What You Can Expect
The surgical procedure is performed by our surgeon who to reduce the size of or remove the tonsils. It is performed the comfort of our office as an outpatient procedure. The procedure typically only requires 30 minutes, and you should be able to return home the same day!
Are There Alternatives to Surgery?
Tonsillitis is treated with antibiotics, but when tonsillitis is chronic a tonsillectomy the best form of treatment. While you may be hesitant about the surgery, it can improve sleep, eliminate chronic sore throats and improve the quality of life. We can discuss all of your options.
Contact Us Today!
Interested in learning more? Call the office of Dr. Daniel J. Leeman to schedule your tonsillectomy consultation today. We proudly serve you from Austin, Texas.