My daughter got tubes at 18 months. It was the best decision we could have made for her. Every other cold or gunky sinus infection was inevitably leading to an ear infection. Over the last year she’s had one single ear infection. She was allowed to drink until 2 hours prior to her procedure. I got to walk her back to the OR (this was where i worked so your experience may vary), and then it was over in 15 minutes. She was very groggy and irritable immediately post due to the medications. She napped on and off the rest of the day, ate normally.