After surgery, your child will be taken to the recovery room to be monitored by a nurse. You may be invited into the recovery room as your child becomes aware of their surroundings and starts looking for you. Your child should be able to go home the same day as the surgery once they have fully recovered from the anesthetic. This usually takes less than one hour.
Your child may resume a normal diet after he or she has fully recovered from the anesthetic. Even though they may be hungry immediately after surgery, it is best to feed them slowly to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. If vomiting persists, your doctor may prescribe medication to settle the stomach.
After surgery your child will usually be given a prescription for ear drops which are used to help keep the tube open and prevent drainage. The drops are typically used for 3 days but your doctor may ask you to use them for longer.
If your child had ear tubes placed for persistent middle ear fluid and hearing loss they will frequently notice an improvement in their hearing immediately. It is very common for children to complain that the radio/TV is too loud or that people are yelling. This is because they are not yet accustomed to normal hearing.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 703-534-3314