Tonsillectomy Adult – What to Expect
Tonsillectomy as an adult is quite different than tonsillectomy for children. The methods employed for tonsillectomy in adults and children are generally the same, (See Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy Methods page), and the risks for adults are similar to the risks for children, (See The Tonsillectomy Risks
Tonsillectomy – Adult Recovery and Risks
Most studies indicate a two to four percent risk of delayed hemorrhage [severe bleeding]. Where tonsillectomy in adults differs most from tonsillectomy in children is in the recovery. Recovery from childhood tonsillectomy generally takes five to seven days. Recovery from tonsillectomy in adults 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 tonsillectomies 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 time an adult tonsillectomy recovery is better than the horror stories we hear about.
“If I could recommend one item to buy before tonsillectomy, it would be a humidifier. My readers know how important moist air is to a healing throat. I bought one of these years ago and still use it daily” -Greg
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.
I’m 18 and it’s been a week since I got my tonsils removed. I’ve been eating normally since about four hours after my operation (I was given pasta bolognese which I cut into tiny pieces and ate very slowly). By normally i mean ive had a roast dinner, crisps, chocolate, fajitas and whatever ive been craving. Dont get me wrong i havnt just got ‘lucky’ with the pain im in agony most days but i think eating normally helps alot. Although the pain has been very unbearable at times (I’ve cried alot) that it would hurt to say anything but with painkillers and ALOT of ice pops it was manageable. Im still not sleeping full nights which means im struggling to find energy the next day, I’ve google everything that’s been happening to me and have seen reviews that are the complete opposite to me. I never felt a dry throat. I have alarms set for 4am to get up and take medicine but never woke with a dry mouth but I would encourage you to drink plenty of ice cold water it helps alot. I’ve been eating anything I want since the start and that helps alot as I’m not taking the painkillers on an empty stomach. My advice is sleep with lots of pillows, ear aches are normal and eat ice pops all day and your throat will be so numb you can eat anything☺☺
Surgery went well. In a room for the night to monitor my oxygen levels. Throat hurts, vicodin wears off after about two hours (can only take every four hours). They gave me drugs to calm me down before putting me under and that helped A LOT. The post nasal drip is annoying and I’m trying not to cough (meh, I’m trying to be careful, and sometimes I choke on my water because I’m super coordinated). My throat is really tight. No jaw or ear pain YET. Still worried about bleeding, that’s my biggest fear. I can get up and walk around : ). Will miss not being able to get some exercise. Getting harder to talk as day goes on.
I’m 7 days post op.
So far it has been ok. The bad morning I had was day 3 when I slept through a meds alarm. Later that day I felt nauseated & it scared the crap out of me!
Tips:
1) set alarms for pain meds
2) keep hydrated
3) sleep propped up
4) icy poles (non dairy)
5) have someone stay with you for the first few days then again during the time the scabs come off
6) eat what you can (soup, jelly, porridge, soft roast vege, avocado)
7) if you are on strong pain meds, you’ll need a laxative (I found this out after not ‘going’ for 7 days)
8) find things that keep you distracted (puzzles, colouring mandalas, movies)
9) take time off work (I’ve taken 2 weeks, got 1 week left)
So far my experience has been ok/bearable, but my scabs haven’t started to come off yet. From what I’ve read on here… that’s when it gets bad. I will post an update in a few days.
I also used Difflam throat spray which helped in between some med doses/after eating
I am 5 days post tonsillectomy. The first few days were ok. My surgeon gave me Tramadol & Oxycodone to help with the pain & I use Panamax (Double Strength) liquid in between if I need.
My worst day was yesterday… I slept through my alarm to take pain meds during the night & woke up in terrible pain. It took hours to come good again. Then later in the afternoon a wave of nausea hit me! I was petrified it was a) going to be painful & b) cause a bleed. I pleaded to not be sick & fortunately the nausea passed.
I have had some discomfort & tears from feeling so miserable, but so far I have managed. I also had some sensitivity with my ears, but so far not too bad. I am also keeping hydrated.
I thought I’d share my tips so far.
– keep hydrated
– prop yourself up at night (gravity doesn’t help with feeling great… propping yourself up really helps)
– set alarms for pain meds!!!
– eat while you can, time it around the best time for your pain meds (I found it was 2 hours in)
– keep occupied , it distracts you from it. I did a colouring mandala and binge watched some Netflix.
– icy poles help (but avoid the creamy ones as they do add to the phlegm)
I will see how the rest of my healing goes… I know I’m in for some tough days, but I have some great people around me and helping me.
If I find any other tips, I will share them on here.
I actually had an O.K. experience, it was certainly nothing I’d recommend and the most pain I’ve experience when I had earache and went to A&E but that was partly my fault for going off the meds and being under hydrated. I promised myself after I’d had my operation, especially after it was a fairly good experience, I’d come back and give my take on things because people always remember the bad stuff but never post the good, so here I am 20…? weeks later….
So before my operation I was pretty positive, didn’t know much so decided to have a browse online and stumbled on this website. I read all and I mean ALL the comments on Every.Single.Post then I pretty much FREAKED OUT. Now this comment is specifically for U.K. adults having their tonsils removed, what you need to realise is our doctors actually prepare us very well for tonsillectomies, minus the nasties and symptoms. My surgeon likened it the pain to a bad case of tonsillitis which is what I felt, at least initially. Friends will not understand, no-one will unless they’ve been through it, so beware for a saddening lack of sympathy.
Day O – woke up extremely disoriented, had no idea where I was, babbled nonsense (This is the time to eat! The anaesthetic hasn’t worn off yet so go for it). I had bread dipped in hot chocolate and tomato soup. Docs emphasised eating solids straight away to fight infection it really is the best way forward. After the operation, I felt instant relief, my sinuses felt clear and I felt like I could breathe for the first time.Day 1 – brushing teeth wasn’t easy but not impossible, brushing my tongue made me gag. Prop yourself up with three cushions and you’ll sleep well during the day. I was able to eat 1/2 a bowl of soggy cornflakes, bread but you MUST take your time to eat, small portions and slowly and seated. Alarm for medication and writing it down helps to remember what you’ve taken and when. Had no pain in right tonsil. Days 3 and 4 were the most painful and I generally had fitful sleep, waking up every couple of hours so slept a lot during the day. Swallowing hurt. You notice little things like how much you actually swallow a day and how important the texture of the food is. I ate lumpy mushed food, a bit like introducing solids to a baby and boy did I get sick of it, but it worked so I stuck with it till I could eat harder textured food. Day 5 my tongue looked gross and tasted foul, I came off the meds the day before cos I was so constipated. BIG MISTAKE, right back on the day after. I tried to eat a high fibre diet so drank lots of fluid, mainly water and vegetable juices, pureed legumes etc. Again all recommended by the doctor. HYDRATION IS KEY! It really helps. I actually ended up in A&E Day 7 cos I was so dehydrated. Noticed a big change Days 7-8 voice came back, started to feel myself, had a few choccie biccies. Day 9 sleeping better but still couldn’t yawn, by Day 11 had a full night’s sleep.
The healing process was up and down for me and the ear ache when it came was AWFUL, nothing made it better, took three weeks off work, but as I work in childcare, voice projection was still an issue and after a full day, my throat was always and is still sometimes a little sore. I had to stay away from dairy cos it made me feel sick and gave me phlegm build up, so no cold ice creams for me! I also bought an ice pack for my neck which I never used. I bought a humidifier but I don’t know how much of a difference it made because I was scared not to use it so couldn’t compare. Chloraseptic spray also made me feel sick.
My point is, don’t get scared and buy everything on the recommendations here, all you really need is water and possible a humidifier and plan your meals well. I mashed mine by hand, most of what I ate was soft already but beans tended to scratch the scabs which is good by the way. Get stuff to do during downtime, but don’t over plan. I slept during the day so couldn’t read and discomfort stopped me from watching movies. Stay mobile and keep moving. I lost a kilo or two but it went right back on once I was eating food with textured again. Solids basically. The tonsillectomy process though not amazing wasn’t nearly as bad as the comments here. At least for me and since the op, 6 months ago, I haven’t been ill once! Not even a sniffle, this compared to pre-op when I was ill with tonsillitis or a viral infection every month, so there is hope. Keep your chin up and stay off the internet! Good Luck!