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.
Hi Guys!
I’m Katie, 19, from the UK and I’m scheduled to get my tonsils out just after christmas!
Reading about peoples experiences has made me more at ease as now i know what to expect (though it sounds horrible!) But now i have a few questions…
1) They’ve told me they want to send my right tonsil off for testing as it is a lot larger than the other, is this a cause for concern? The surgeon also noticed orange lumps on the back of my throat but didn’t really tell me what they were… anyone know?
2) Could anyone from the UK tell me what pain medication they were prescribed? I’m hoping for something strong!
3) I am terrified of needles, did anyone get ‘anxiety pills’ or laughing gas to ease them before they sent you off with the fairies?
4) When i get tonsillitis i always buy the numbing spray that you spray onto your tonsils (round small bottle, green nozzle?) should i use this on my throat after the op or will this agitate it?
I’m sure ill think of more questions soon!
Thank you in advance!
Katie x
J in ireland. Hey katie! Im same age as you 19 and we seem to have presented with the same smymptoms. I had my tonsils out 8 days ago and happy to report im making a great recovery 🙂
(1) my right tonsil was considerably larger than my left one. I think they refer to this as an asymmetrical tonsil. It could be a case that both tonsils are the same size just one might appear bigger as the other tonsil could be deeper in the throat tissue. I wouldn’t worry about this, as if it was anything more serious, they would have picked up on it! My surgeon told me I had nothing to be worried about and they sent it off to a lab to get tested also ! still waiting to hear but no news is good news! A doctor on the surgeons team noticed the orange spots/lumps/bumps on my throat also – it turns out I had a small bit of acid reflux so i took a tablet for a week or so. You should ask your docs about this maybe.
(2) I was given diaphene (anti-inflammatory) for three days post op. I was prescribed paracetemol – panadol for as long as neecesary. When the course of diaphene is finished you can take ibuprofen meds such as nurofen or advil. Its important you dont take these at the same time as they are both anti-inflammatories! They seemed to do the trick. Also heat helped me so scarves and hats at all times as my ears were quite sore and a hot water bottle. I was encouraged even from the morning after surgery to have some proper food instead of jelly or ice cream as this speeds recovery but dont worry if youre very sore some days, stick with soft foods such as porridge or custard maybe.
(3) not a big fan of needles myself but youve nothing to be worried about ! Its a short sharp scratch and its over! I didnt get laughing gas i dont think but had an oxyen mask and fell off to sleep a few seconds after the injection !
(4) never heard of that sorry and i didnt use anything on mine !
Best of luck ! Any more questions let me know happy christmas x
Hey Katie!
I’m 20 years old and had a tonsillectomy on Monday (30th November 2015)
Not gonna lie it bloody hurts! As long as you keep on top of the meds (I’ve got paracetamol, ibrupophen, dihydrocodeine and a difflam mouth wash and spray) you shall be absolutely fine- tired and warn out but fine!
Good luck!
Hi I also from UK and had my tonsils out 5days ago, yeah it’s paintfull but no worse than bad episode of tonsillitis. Just keep taking pain relief take it easy and fingers crossed all good in 14days.
Hi, I’m from the uk, I’m 44 and had my tonsils out 5 days ago, and the same as you one as one has been sent for analysis due to its size. I was eating a sandwich 15 minutes after coming out of recovery and had a roast dinner 2 days later……….ive just taken paracetamol and ibuprofen every 6 hours 3 hours apart……and the pain is very mild………hopefully fingers crossed its stays that way………. Good luck…..
helhello katie im from the uk. i had tonsils and adenoids removed tuesday 15th dec. they gave me antibiotics to prevent infection. paracetamol, morphine and codine. i had enlarged tonsils but they never tested them. i went down to surgery alone parents went other way i didnt look at what they were doing i felt a needle and thats it put a mask on me and i was wkth the fiaries lol i dont think you can use the spray after if u can it wont do nothing as you have to keep swolllwing to help the muscles i hope i helped.
kirsty xx
Hi guys im vicky from the uk! Had my tonsillectomy on the 26th October so im now on day 10. Day 3-7 were by far the worst for me, intense ear pain was bleughhh!! However my question is regarding scabs. I wake up in the middle of the night to take my meds to find that nearly all my throat is pink, however upon waking in the morning its white again. Anybody else had this experience? Im really confused! Thanks, this forum helped lots in my recovery 🙂
I’m 34 and I got my tonsillectomy yesterday and so far it’s as awful as they say. My uvula is acting strange and it chokes me at times so that’s fun. I need to learn to swallow again but the pain keeps me from practicing. I’m unable to eat anything but I’m drinking lots of ice water and sucking on ice pops. Here is looking up ?
I am 59 and am on day 6 post op. I can say that my recovery hasn’t been easy but not as bad as some people’s experiences. However, my throat hurts so bad that it feels like razor blades when I swallow. I tried to eat spaghetti and had to give up because the pain was so bad. The right side seems worse than the left. People are talking about scabs, how do I know if I have scabs? I can barely open my mouth enough to even see my throat.
I had my sx on the 5th. I’m 44 had my tonsils and anoinds and a sinus sx at the same time. I have been keeping up with pain meds and drinking lots of water. I sleep a lot with pillows propping me up. My throat at times feels like its cracking up from dryness, evidently I sleep with my mouth open and it has been horrible. The ear pain is just as bad. My doctor informed me that day 7-10 will be the worse yet, so I am scared, but will do what I have to do? I just wanna eat some soup.?
I had my sx on the 5th. I’m 44 had my tonsils and anoinds and a sinus sx at the same time. I have been keeping up with pain meds and drinking lots of water. I sleep a lot with pillows propping me up. My throat at times feels like its cracking up from dryness, evidently I sleep with my mouth open and it has been horrible. The ear pain is just as bad. My doctor informed me that day 7-10 will be the worse yet, so I scared, but will do what I have to do?