Adult Tonsillectomy

Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery

Adult tonsillectomy and in particular, adult tonsillectomy recovery, is quite different than tonsillectomy for children. The methods employed for tonsillectomy surgery are generally the same for adults as for children, (See Tonsillectomy Methods page), and the risks for adult tonsillectomy are similar to the risks for children, (See The Tonsillectomy Risks Page) Most studies indicate a two to four percent risk of delayed hemorrhage [severe bleeding].
Where adult tonsillectomy differs most from tonsillectomy for children is in the recovery. Recovery from childhood tonsillectomy generally takes five to seven days. Recovery from adult tonsillectomy usually requires at least ten days and more often two weeks.
Before deciding to get an adult tonsillectomy, it’s important to choose a time frame in which you have the time and the support. Recovering over your favorite Holiday might be a good choice in terms of time, (eg holiday leave from work or school), but it may not be a time that people will be available to help you.
The pain associated with adult tonsillectomy recovery, by almost all accounts, is more intense than that experienced by children. Some theorize that children haven’t had as much time without pain as adults and thus their frame of reference is different than adult tonsillectomy patients. Others assume that children may be less able to articulate their discomfort. Having read the accounts of THOUSANDS of adult tonsillectomy patients in the forum,(See Tonsillectomy Forum page), I can say with some confidence that generally, the younger the patient, the easier the tonsillectomy recovery. There are of course exceptions. I’ve read from many middle aged adults who had a fairly smooth recovery. Perhaps they read up on this website and prepared well. Perhaps they had good genes.
In any case, many adults’ tonsillectomy recovery is better than the horror stories we hear about. I’d like to take a moment here to make a suggestion. As you read through the people’s accounts in the various chat rooms, message boards, and adult tonsillectomy forums, consider this: People having a harder time, may be more prone to seek out information and share their experience in these venues. Adults experiencing milder tonsillectomy recoveries, might be less apt to be posting. I don’t want to drag Richard Nixon into my website, but this silent majority may be quietly recovering and you’ll never hear from them.
My advice is to research as much as you can, talk with your doctor, talk with your family and friends, and talk with your employer before scheduling your adult tonsillectomy. I wish you all the best.

I’ve put together a collection of items that I think would be helpful, if not essential, to making tonsillectomy recovery a little more pleasant. Check out the Tonsillectomy General Store.