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Adult Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
After a lifetime of tonsillitis, it was time. I made the appointment. Was I scared? Yes. Was I prepared for tonsillectomy recovery? NO. Can you be? YES!
Planning for and recovering from a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedure, (often referred to as T & A Surgery), can be daunting experiences. The days leading up to your surgery can be frightening. If you haven’t read up yet, you can find information on tonsillectomy methods, risks, costs, adult tonsillectomy, sleep apnea, and numerous tips for tonsillectomy recovery on the other pages of this site. I’ve even added pictures of a post tonsillectomy throat by each day, and a shopping list of things you’ll need before your surgery. Study, talk with your doctor and consult with your friends about the decision to undergo tonsillectomy and adenoid surgery. Explore the pages created here to aid in your journey.
The Dynamic Duo!
These two little machines will become your best friends. Give tonsillectomy recovery a One-Two punch! A humidifier is probably the single most beneficial item to have at your side as you recover. Drinking ice cold slushies will feel good, reduce inflamation, and keep the throat activated, thus stimulating the healing process.
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If you should decide to have tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, let us help you through the entire process. Whether due to problems with sleep apnea, chronic tonsillitis and strep throat, tonsil stones, trouble swallowing, or a combination thereof, you can benefit from the experience of others. My own experience taught me that, as patients, we need to advocate for ourselves. Ear, nose, and throat doctors are, by and large, extremely talented individuals. However, very few of them have experienced an adult tonsillectomy, and the subsequent recovery. I have. Many others have too. We share our experiences here at the adult tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy recovery resource center. As you’ll read in the tonsillectomy recovery forum, everyone’s experience is unique. There are many factors that influence the level of pain you experience, as well as the length of time required during recovery. The method, and skill of your surgeon can have an affect, but there are also many things within your control that will reduce pain and recovery time. I’ve tried to include as many helpful tips as possible within the pages of this online resource. Tonsillectomy recovery can be pretty rough, especially if you are unlucky enough to be an adult! It takes longer for an adult to recover from most things. Tonsillectomy is no exception. There are many things you can do to make it go more smoothly. I’ve published numerous tips here on various pages. I encourage you to read up BEFORE you are in the throws of tonsillectomy recovery.
Talk with your doctor, friends, family, and work as you prepare. You are not alone in this. Like you and like me, many others are facing or have faced a tonsillectomy recovery. I created this forum for you. The community of adults or parents of patients will amaze you and warm your heart. I read these comments every day and every day I am humbled by everyone’s story and their compassion for others in the midst of recovery, or the anxiety that often precedes a tonsillectomy. Please join in. Hundreds of other people, perhaps in your same situation, have shared their wisdom, concerns, tips, and questions about tonsillectomy, as well as their tonsillectomy recovery.
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Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy Tip
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J,
yes i can take the pain during the day but at night is my worst time i be in so much pain i cry. i am on day 6 and i must say days 1-3 was good 4-6 are horrible. i just hope i can get thru this. i am back to work next week.
hope its gets better for you has well…
Adam, the very swollen uvula is incredibly common. And sleeping on an incline, with head tilted to the side was the only way I could sleep without it bothering me. It can take about 10 days to really see that swelling gone so bear with it. Yolanda, try all the suggestions people made about foods. Pancakes did not work for me (too sticky) but they worked for a lot of other people. Definitely the Ensure and Slimfast drinks or any protein drink you can stomach. These are all good sources of vitamins and protein needed for healing.
Steve, and any other experiencing this: It’s pretty common for days 5-10 or so to be the worst for some people. They were the worst for me as ear pain kicked in big time. You just have to do your best to mentally ride it out and KNOW that it is going to turn the corner pretty quickly after day 10 or so. It really does. Keep up with the pain meds, get plenty of rest and eat as much as you can.
And definitely take a vitamin and any other supplements (Vit C especially) that you might normally be taking if you are not having problems with pills. Like Laura C I had not problems with pills and started taking my vitamins and other supplements as soon as I got past day one of recovery. I hope everyone has a better day today and HANG IN THERE – it really, truly is time limited so keep thinking of that end point because you’ll get there!
Thanks Beth! I kinda figured it could take a bit to go down.
thank you!
Yolanda, you may be ready to go back next week but if it’s at all possible to postpone the return to work, I would. Many of us were pretty much okay around the end of week (others can weigh in here) but when we went back to work, even after a full two weeks off, we were tired and drained easily. I think getting enough nutrition is key to the healing and recovery, so really focus on that. If you can get extra time off, I would strongly recommend you do it. You’ll get through this, you really will. It’s a mental battle, a lot of it, so just know that we’ve all been there and you’ll be better soon!
Meant to say most of us were okay around the end of week 2…..
Yolanda, the good thing is it will be over soon. I quit taking my pain medicine on day 8. I’m on day 9 and have lost pretty much all the scabs on one side of my mouth. I notice it feels better on that side. Once those scabs come off, you will feel so much better. I don’t know how it is with everyone, but when the scab came off I bled. I got it to stop by holding ice cold water at the back of my throat for 10 seconds, repeating until it stopped. I hope you and everyone else have speedy recoveries!
35 year old, had my tonsils out Monday. So far nothing that shouldn’t be expected I guess. I do wind up counting down until I can take my lortab though. Also, does anyone have a huge uvula? Mine is so big that it makes it very hard to sleep without gagging. In find that sleeping on my side is better. I am on a steady diet of jello, beef broth, noodle soup, Gatorade, and water. Tried sherbet, bad idea! One day at a time. I am a teacher so I have the whole summer, though hopefully doesn’t take that long
. I have a five year old and a one year and the best wife in the world for taking care of all of us!
Currently its been exactly one week since my tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Like expected the first day or two weren’t too bad but Friday-Sunday I was a hurtin pup. Then Monday I felt a little better and yesterday it seemed like I was well on my way to recovery until this morning blindsided me. Nearly impossible to drink any liquids without having to immediately grab my ears due to agony. Spitting up a little blood here and there but overall not too bad. The pain however is a different story. Does anyone know if this is normal for the pain to come back and if so how long does it last until there is some type of relief?! I’m 22 with a very high tolerance for pain but this is like nothing i’ve ever felt before.
It’s day 7 and while the pain is easy to manage during the day, I can’t sleep more than two to three hours without waking up to my mouth in horrible pain. (Almost no pain first three days, minor pain 4 and 5).
Steve, I felt exactly the same way. I thought I was getting better. I kept telling myself I was one of the lucky ones to skip out on the pain I’d mentally prepared myself for. Then it hit on day 4. The excruciating pain everytime the nerve was hit the runs from your mouth to your ears. I called my dr and he said it is normal. This is the scabbing stage which is the worst of it. Once those scabs start coming off, the pain will lessen. I quit with the lortab on day 8. On day 9, the scabs on my left side are almost gone and that side doesn’t hurt at all. I did bleed when the scabs came off. I panicked and called my dr and he told me to hold ice water at the back of my throat for 10 seconds and keep repeating until it stops. I hope it gets better for you soon.
Thank you, I will try some vitamins and some Mac n cheese. I am also on day 6 but it seems like its getting bad. But Thanks for ur suggestion.
Please can anyone tell me what i can EAT.. i am starving.. i have been trying to eat things like soft eggs,mash potatoes and a lil gravy, but that is not giving me the nutrients that i am in need of. Please anyone help!! I need some FOOD on this empy stomach. I know I have lost about 10lbs and i know that’s good but i still want food. also how long will i feel like this i have to go back to work next week and i need to have some strength. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Yolanda,
I’m in the process of preparing for my recovery and I’ve come across a few things every now and then. One of the two things I keep seeing come up that are good for food/nutrition: Ensure (nutritional liquid shakes) and a do-it-yourself style shake I’m eager to try. It’s essentially Milk, Vanilla Ice Cream, a scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder, and a Banana. Blend it until it’s nice and smooth. It’s supposed to give you a good amount of calories to help make you not hungry, and a bunch of protein and potassium that your body needs. I’m not a doctor, but this is something I keep seeing recommended. I hope this helps some. (I personally don’t drink milk so I’ll be replacing that with “Rice Milk” which most grocery stores have. I believe the brand is called “Rice Dream” and it’s sold in half gallon blue and white cardboard containers.)
Hi, Chris
Thank you I will try that has well.
Yolanda, I ate a lot of organic baby food. I mostly ate the oatmeal with berries and peach dessert. Homemade protein shakes are really good too. I would add banana and almond butter with the protein powder. Soups but not acidic ones. Pancakes go down well with syrup.. Hopefully other people will write in with more suggestions. Good luck.
Yolanda,
I’ve been having good luck with canned food, mainly peaches, pears, green beans (the French-cut kind cuz they’re cut skinnier) and carrots. Cut them up into small bits. I’ve also had good luck with Kraft mac-n-cheese (add extra butter and milk to make it creamier, which makes it go down easier) and turkey hot dogs, cut up into small pieces. Also, though not as nutritious, store-bought deli potato salad and macaroni salad have worked for me. If you can deal with swallowing pills, try just taking a multi-vitamin. I’ve been lucky in that I haven’t had much of any problem swallowing during this experience (I’m on day 6), and I’ve been taking a vitamin daily to help with the nutrient intake. If pills are a problem, I wonder if you could try the kiddie chewable Flintstone vitamins, ground up in a drink?
Yolanda if you are having luck with eggs stick with those. They are nearly the perfect food and will definitely give you much needed protein and amino acids for healing. They are excellent for nutrition, mashed potatoes – not so much. Yes, they are easy to get down but are basically like eating liquid white bread in terms of nutritional value. I also ate Stouffer’s Mac-n-cheese and it went down very easily. It is very rich and creamy and high-calorie so if you like it and can eat a single serving tray of that a day, that will keep you feeling full and keep your calories up. Hang in there!
(BTW, I’m 2 months post op).
So I just discovered today that I am getting a tonsillectomy. I am relatively calm still even after hearing about this but I am sure days beforehand I will get more nervous…I have about two weeks. I am 19 so I don’t know if I am not considered as much as an “adult” for this surgery but I am guessing my recovery time will be the avg. 12 days. Is it a lot worse than having your wisdom teeth removed?
Hayden,
I’m 27 and getting ready to have my old pals cut out. I had the same question as you about the wisdom teeth – I had all four of mine cut out when I was your age. I’ve been told it can be worse than that by far, but that shouldn’t be anything to scare you. On the flip side of the coin, I’ve heard people say it’s no worse than a full blown case of strep. The only thing I can say is that I still think you’re in the younger bracket so you won’t have it as bad (but then again someone in their 40s/50s would say the same thing about me.)
Here’s the way I’m looking at it: It has to be done. Pain or no pain, they have to come out. All we can do is read up on advice, prepare and just deal with it one day at a time. A popular quote from some forums is “expect the worst and you’ll be surprised, expect a pushover recovery and you’ll be miserable.” So that’s what I’m doing – I’m expecting it to suck but I’m preparing to the best of my abilities and I’m just going to get some DVDs, some books, and deal with it day by day knowing there’s light at the end of the tunnel and it’s going to be for the best in the long run. There’s no reason for me to get paranoid over the pain since it has to happen one way or another. Here’s to wishing you a fast recovery!
Chris you have a great perspective! I’m 45 and was terrified of this surgery, put it off for a good 10 years or so….just was so scared (I’m 2 mos post-surgery now). But if you’ve made the decision to have it done you just keep moving forward and don’t look back. Mentally, I expected the worst and it was way more manageable than I had thought. You will likely have at least a few days of severe pain. Most of us had days where we felt our pain meds were barely touching the pain or wore off really quickly. And you are absolutely right, Chris, it’s mostly mental. Get in the mindset that you are going to be uncomfortable/in pain for about 10 days and just set your mind toward the goal of getting those puppies out! I think the horror stories are what really get people worked up (emergency bleeds, etc) but the majority of people don’t have these problems. Good luck and hope it all goes smoothly for you!
Oh and one last piece of advice….get up and about every day. It is much healther and easier on your body if you stay slightly active each day. I took a shower every day and even went for a 10-15 min walk on most days after about 2 days post-op. Yes, you will feel wiped out but you are using your muscles and light exercise stimulates your body to healing. I also felt it kept me mentally occupied to do the walks. I did laundry around the house, took care of cleaning my birds’ cage and even went out to the store a few times the first week even.
Try not to just stay in bed all the time. A little bit of activity each day is certainly not going to hurt you and it will make you feel more ‘human.’ My doctor’s instructions were no lifting of anything heavier than 5lbs and no full work-outs for 2 weeks. He actually wrote that I could return to work by day 8 but I took a full two weeks off.
Oh, and eat as much as you can to help with your healing. Yes, some days it hurts like hell but push through and get those fluids and nutrients in!
I am 28 years old and getting my tonsils out tomorrow morning. I am incredibly nervous about the recovery- I was actually more nervous about the procedure until I started reading these posts. Sounds like the surgery itself is the easy part
Good luck with surgery and all- please keep us posted on how things go as I will be finding out for myself in two weeks or so.
oh my god I know exactly what you feel .. the absolute worst pain in my life .Im 42 and had it done last thursday ..lost 25 pounds so far and if it wasn’t for tylenol T3s crushed up in tea I would asked to be put down ..day 6 and last night was the worst ever ..a pain like no other on the planet ..
it was like every nerve ending in my mouth and jaw to the top of my ears were being shorted out at the same time ..I have had multiple broken bones from moto x cross etc ..nothing compares ,,if you have had a broken bone and you move a certain way you get that pain ..but then you relax again and the pain goes away ..ya well this is just like that except it doesn’t go away
I had my surgery yesterday. 3 operations in total including tonsillectomy, plastic surgery to reconstruct my nose (it was badly broken in 2 places), and the removal of the uvula and upper palette. Yesterday was quite painful but today I’m feeling much better. Was slightly nervous beforehand but I suppose thats only normal. It’s never going to be a nice experience considering you’re having things ripped out from your insides but the key is to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible and staying positive. Lots of liquids, soups etc. I did suffer frequently from tonsillitis beforehand hence the operation and so far the effects from the surgery are nowhere near as bad as that.
Best of luck to everyone.
Day 6 here and I’m feeling much better! Yesterday was a nightmare, the worst day by far. I threw up quite a bit (which I hadn’t done this entire time) and my throat was killing me. But I woke up this morning feeling much better, my throat is still pretty sore but in no comparison to what it was. I havent even taken a pain med today. The only thing bothering me is that awful taste is getting stronger but I suppose that’s because I’m healing. I haven’t had much luck with food, I’ve lost 12 pounds already. Hopefully I’ll be over this soon, I’m anxious to return back to work.
So much for no pain. Day 4 and 5 hurt quite a bit more until a scab bridge between my uvula and former tonsil bed broke and stopped pulling at their surfaces, except that or something around that time triggered a cough I couldn’t stop and I woke up two hours after finally falling asleep with the whole roof of my mouth in pain. The scabs there were broken and had bled.
Ice water and lortab have things under control, but what as way to wake up at 6 a.m.
This is day 4 for me and I am no longer taking the liquid pain meds every four hours I am only taking it at night. I am so glad that the surgery is over, I don’t feel has bad has I thought I would thank God for this site.
,
Yolanda, sounds like everything is going well for you. I’m sooooo glad. Please be careful and don’t push yourself until day 12. You do not want to over do it and start bleeding. Even though everything is going well, your body is still healing from the procedure.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Deide, u r so right I am taking it very slow tryng my best to keep drinking water, Gatorade, etc. I really don’t want to bleed so I will take it one day at a time. Thanks again
Hi, I am 20 years old and had my tonsils out 5 days ago. To be honest, I was so nervous before hand and freaked out reading these posts. Turns out I freaked out for no reason. I am in minimal pain, the hardest part is having a swollen tongue which makes it hard to talk. I’ve only used panadol, and Panadiene forte at night. I was eating normally from day one. Pasta, chicken, hotdogs. Just got to chew the food up and have an icy pole afterwards if your mouth is in pain. I was told I’d feel worse when I got home from hospital but haven’t as of yet. So hopefully I don’t. But seriously, there is nothing to worry about! Just remember that at end of the recovery you’ll neve have tonsil problems again!
Two months from hell. Got a cold. Within 2 weeks, tonsilitis transforms itself to acute tonsilitis and i got septic. Three weeks later out the buggers came. No med squishes this pain. Thank goodness for your site and my iPad. I would have died. No education on the part of extremely busy and talented surgeons and nursing staff were ignorant to the pain…..got them out last Wednesday and now it’s Monday. Still in ice water. Food is excruciating but necessary. Soup in a blender.
Thanks for being here. Ears hurt and my throat has started to peel. Ick.
fR
Day 5 here (day 1 = day after surgery), I think the scabs are starting to slowly come off. Very cold water, which felt really good a few days ago, almost hurts now.
Day 2 was really bad, I drank an Ensure with my pain meds very early in the morning, and apparently this is NOT ENOUGH FOOD for the pain meds, because I threw it all back up about an hour later. Fortunately, everything that came up was liquid, so it didn’t damage the scabs, but it left me feeling pretty wiped out for the rest of the day. I was also very constipated (a not-so-lovely side effect of most narcotics) and wasn’t really in a lot of pain, so I quit the pain meds cold turkey. Been taking Tylenol every 4-5 hours since and that seems to work for me. A good cure for the constipation, besides stool softeners/laxatives, is what my mom’s friend (who works for a surgeon) calls “The Bomb.” Get some pure prune juice, like Sunsweet, and heat it up in the microwave. Drink it as fast as you can. The heat combined with the fiber in the prune juice will stimulate the colon and should make you go within about 2 hours. The prune juice was kind of acidic for me, so you could try cutting it with water.
Ive found that I can’t talk very well or loudly, and there is a lot of mucus in my throat. Eating hasn’t been too bad, I’ve had good luck with canned peaches and canned pears cut into small bits, canned French cut green beans (they’re cut skinnier than regular), canned cooked carrots, hot dogs cut up small, and pasta. Tried very watery oatmeal a few days ago, but the rough texture of the oats caused them to stick in my throat, no matter how watered down they were.
Wendy,
Unfortunately your daughter is going to have to be patient! By Day 9 (for me), all I wanted to do was feel “normal”. The sooner I realized that I didn’t have a lot of control over the situation, the better I felt. I really didn’t start feeling decent until day 15/16. Even then I still had some thoat pain, eating was time consuming as I didn’t want to scratch anything back there, and I got fatigued easy. I had my surgery May 29 and I still get what feels like a sore throat usually daily around 7pm (just from talking, eating, and having generally busy days).
Your daughter should be feeling better soon- just don’t allow her to rush it. Healing is important! Tell her to keep up with the fluids and getting adequate rest. Also, a big thing for me was getting nutrient dense foods to help with energy. Ramen noodles and mashed potatoes were my saving grace but those are not very nutritious! So by day 12, I really tried to eat healthier.
God Bless,
Adrianne
Hi my daughter had her tonsils out last Fri and we are now on day 10 and she is very upset because she is still in pain and feeling really tired .She did have a numb toungue but the feeling has now come back does anyone know how long it will be before she starts to feel bettr she is due to start a new job next Monday.She was rushed in with an infection on day5 and she has been on antibiotics ,painkiller and fluids to rehydrate her but she is home after 5 days still feeling dreadful ….any advice would be appreciated.
Michelle I’m so sorry for what you are going through. It is a very difficult and painful recovery and you certainly don’t need your husband telling you your a whiner. That ia unnecessary and cruel!
Have you tried using a humidifier? That was the one thing that helped my daughter the most. We would sit in the bathroom or our laundry room so the entire room would fill with the mist. Also sucking on ice chips and letting them slowly melt in your mouth will help as well.
I hope it gets better for you soon!
I’m having a tonsillectomy done tomorrow and am a wreck!! Its basically the fear of the unknown and the pain. I’m 32yrs old and constantly suffer with tonsillitis twice a month. I’m always on antibiotics and know I need to get it done, but I’m so darn nervous right now. Have no desire to eat anything and feel like vomiting. I feel like cancelling everythin!
Cynthie, The worst part about this surgery is the day before. We have all been where you are. Don’t second guess it. You will be fine and it will be worth it. I was the same way. I’m 47 and had never had surgery before this procedure. I was terrified! I think I made my husband crazy on the drive to the hospital .That was 2 1/2 months ago and I’m so glad I did it. You’ll probably be posting on this website right after your surgery. Just make sure you have stocked up on the things that Greg has recommended. A humidifier, ice packs for your neck,jello, baby food, listerine without the alcohol, etc, etc..
good luck!
I’ve already driven my hubby crazy!!!! Feel like I wanna cancel my surgery. I’ve been crying and crying. The smallest things makes the waterworks start. What makes it worse is the fact that I’m recovering at my parents house which is good but leaving my kids and hubby behind. My parents live 3 hrs from here and I’ll be staying with them for 8 days. I dont know how I’m gonna sleep tonight! I’m going in tomorrow at 9am and surgery will be just before 11am. Can I drug myself with gravol tonight????
Cynthie, good luck tomorrow. Not sure what gravol is but hopefully you didn’t need to take it.
Tonsillectomy done. It was a breeze. I was scared for nothing. The nurses were shocked at how well I was doing. I’ve already managed to eat some pasta, donuts, yogurt, etc… Feeling great! Hope it stays that way. It’s been over 24 hrs and haven’t experienced any terrible pain. A little hard to swallow but nothing any more painful than tonsillitis. My ears have started to hurt but I take my painkillers and it’s gone.
I had my tonsillectomy on the 11th and after the first 3 days, I thought I was over it. Those three days were not pleasant, but not as bad as I suspected. Then I woke up on day four and have been in excruciating pain ever since. I take the pain med prescribed and ibuprofen 800s every few hours but I’m still in pain. Both of my ears throb along with a severe sore throat. Sometimes when I swallow, sharp pains will shoot from my mouth to my ears. This kind of pain almost brings me to my knees. I can’t sleep on top of this. A few more days of this and I will go insane. And the worst of it is that my husband is always calling me a whiner. No one around me seems to understand the extent of this recovery and I have never felt more alone. Each day gets worse and I’m praying for things to turn around.
Michelle,
I just want to tell you that I think your a trooper and you are doing amazing! It will get better! As I’ve posted before, this surgery is a MENTAL challenge. You must take it one day at a time or you will begin to feel overwhelmed and rightfully so because this recovery is lengthy and HURTS! It can and does get depressing, but be patient with yourself. Give yourself some credit, you just went through a surgery that a lot of people put off for YEARS, but guess what… you did it!
I’m sorry your support system isn’t the greatest. I hope you feel better soon.
Adrianne
Thanks Adrianna. It’s good to know I’m not alone; millions of people go through this. I’m glad to say I’ve hit rock bottom and it is only going to get better from here. Today is the first day i’ve felt better. I’m past the first scabbing stage which is suppose to be the worst part. Can’t wait until this is all behind me.
oh my god I know exactly what you feel .. the absolute worst pain in my life .Im 42 and had it done last thursday ..lost 25 pounds so far and if it wasn’t for tylenol T3s crushed up in tea I would asked to be put down ..day 6 and last night was the worst ever ..a pain like no other on the planet ..
I’ve had my tonsils removed on January 27, 2011 at the age of 34. The pain that I experienced was excruciating. It lasted about 3 weeks had to have my pain meds refilled. I couldn’t eat had a hard time to drink, every time I would swallow something I started choking. I lost 20 + lbs. I lost my taste buds for about a year. Some of my taste buds recently came back on certain things. Nothing tastes the same. I had report this to my doctor a couple of months after my surgery was done. She said that she’s never heard of anything like this. She prescribed me some kind of gargle, which didn’t help. I was then ordered a swallow study which they didn’t find anything. Still till today the left side of my throat feels numb and my taste buds aren’t back. I’m still have a difficult time swallowing certain texture of food. I decided to get a second opinion which scheduled for this week. I hope and pray that this doctor can give me more answers and actually do something about it . I hope that nobody has to go through what I went through! It’s very depressing.
I had my tonsils out on Wednesday the 13th. I was told the 3rd day would be the worst but this is day 4 and the pain is unimaginable. it seems like every day it gets worse and I’m beginning to wonder when it’s going to start getting better. I need to get back to work, but after a run to Walmart last night with my mom that left me completely exhausted im realizing that’s not going to be possible for a little while. My ears are killing me and it’s becoming harder to swallow. On top of that I have TMJ and it’s getting more difficult for me to open my mouth. My tongue is sore on the sides, and im starting to experience a numbing sensation in my hands, feet, and lips. Ive been keeping a check on my fever, haven’t had one thank God. I also Noticed that ive been Snoring, ive never snored before. I’m drinking plenty of fluids, but I’ve had no luck with food other than a couple of slim fasts. Yesterday I was actually nautious most of the day. I have this terrible taste in the back of my mouth and an awful case of bad breath. Trying to tough it out, hopin this gets better sooner rather than later.
Kait, the awful taste in your mouth lasts until the scabs come off. I used listerine without the alcohol. I think it was a lavender colored mouthwash. We all go through that awful taste part of the recovery.
Suck on ice chips and use ice packs on your neck. Maybe that will help with the pain. good luck!
Thanks so much, I’ll give that a try!
Is the numbing of the hands/feet/lips a normal side effect, or one of the pain meds? I’m on day 5 (counting day of surgery) and woke up with a pins-and-needles feeling in the ring and pinky fingers of both hands which hasn’t really gone away, but I’ve been off the pain meds for 2 days now- too many bad side effects.
Its definitely time to call the doctor if those are your symtoms. I haven’t saw those symptoms on any of the reviews. Not to mention if your off meds in 3 days you have to be feeling miserable… Call ASAP, they will help…
Kait, I also had my tonsils taken out on Wednesday the 13th and it’s been brutal. Just today I noticed it wasn’t as bad as the last two. I”m 22 and felt like the surgery would be easy but every symptom you’ve listed I’ve had as well, even the numbing of the hands and feet. One thing that’s helped me with the swelling and pain is gently gargling ice cold water for about 15 seconds and repeating this a few times every couple of hours. I’ve been told that if you just go with how your body feels and not try to force recovery, your body will heal faster. Hope this info helps. Good luck with the rest of your recovery.
Four days in and feel awful. Glands and ears really throbbing and aching – anyone else experienced this. Just want to crawl under my duvet and sleep forever.
I’m sorry but yes this was normal for me, I had my op 10 days ago and still sufferring from Ear Ache, Throat Sore and cannot blow my nose as my throat closes over (very frustrating), my jaws are aching. I am taking my meds regularly and I’ve never drank so much water in all my life lol. I cannot eat anything with salt in as it hurts or drink fruit juice as this is sore also. I’m sure not everyone is like this xx
Elly, try ice packs on your neck and warm compresses on your ears. So sorry you’re in pain.
hi elly
i too had my tonsils removed on the 13th so including the op day im on day 4 of recovery and i am struggling more than ever.
like you my ears and glands are really throbbing but they are not as bad as yesterday.
day 3 is so far the worst day for me my sleep was really broken during the night and i felt sick for the whole day.
im hoping that things will start to improve.
Hello friends, my surgery went very well the ENT doctor said that the tonsils was in very bad shape and i wont miss them but i am in so much pain i want to cry. i will make my self drink evey min of the hour to stay hydrated. Thanks to this website i was prepared to the fullest. my mommie and my hubby are taking care of me i am at home resting now Beth you have been so awesome thank you for your helpful post i will keep everyone informed of my recovery. off to sleep i go…..
25-year-old female here, 24 hours post-op, had tonsils and adenoids out. My doctor said the tonsils were very scarred from years of recurring infections and he had to do a lot of cutting to get all the scar tissue out. This website and forum have been invaluable to me in preparing for this process! I feel much better than I thought I would- very little pain yesterday after surgery and not doing too bad today either. I was able to eat applesauce and scrambled eggs yesterday and some butternut squash soup today and a smoothie that I made, plus popsicles, water, and gatorade like a fiend. I tried to eat some grapes today at my mom’s encouraging, but found that the skins kept sticking in my throat, so I quit after about 6 grapes. I’ve had no trouble swallowing pills, which I was worried about since my doctor gave me Lortab with tylenol in pill form plus antibiotics also in pill form. Slept sitting up in the recliner last night with one of the travel pillows Greg recommends and with the humidifier running right next to me. I set alarms on my phone to wake up to take meds and drink, I found that naming the alarms things like “pain meds,” “pain & antibiotics,” and “drink” helped in the middle of the night when I was sleepy so I didn’t really need to think about what i needed to do when the alarm went off. Other than waking up to the alarm every hour to hour-and-a-half, I slept very well. I think I was just wiped out physically from the surgery and mentally from finding out that my Grandfather is in the ICU and may not live much longer. That’s been a harder thing for my mom and I to deal with for the last day than my recovery.
For those about to go through a tonsillectomy, I definitely recommend reading this entire site and making notes about what kinds of foods people do well with and other tips that people leave here on the forum. This site has been far more helpful in preparing me for this process than my doctor. Best of luck to everyone going through recovery like I am and those preparing for tonsillectomy. Being nervous about it is normal, but if your situation is anything like mine (multiple bouts of tonsillitis/strep each year), I would definitely recommend going through with the surgery, you will be much better off in the long run!
It’s been three weeks since my tonsillectomy (experienced hardly any pain whatsoever from previous post). I noticed a white bump/lump in the back. Is that normal? Maybe still healing? I also feel like I want to scratch the inside of my throat.
Jenny, I don’t know about the lump – where is it and how big? I do think the stretch tissue tends to take on a slightly pale pinkish/white look as it heals but not sure what you are seeing. As for scratching, my throat itched a LOT during recovery and still does from time to time. I have mostly chalked it up to allergies (pollen has been horrible here in MA) but it did itch some during the 2-3 weeks after surgery as well. Is that the kind of wanting to scratch feeling you’re talking about?
Hi Beth.
There are actually two small bumps where my left tonsil was. It’s small and looks like a cankersore or some pus-like form. As for the throat scratching, I don’t know if it’s an itch, but there are times when I want to use my fingernails and scratch the side of my throat because I feel like there’s something.
24 hours after surgery and so far almost no pain except with swallowing. The lortab was helpful in falling asleep though. The swelling made it a bit hard to breathe while sleeping (saliva pools in the front of my mouth and can’t really be effectively swallowed). The surgery was impressively fast (20-30mins), same with recovery. No difficulties eating – 5 popsicles, juice , 6-7 glasses of water and even three bowls of oatmeal and some scrambled eggs.
The idea of general anesthesia was more anxiety-inducing than the idea of surgery, especially after the nurse missed the first I.V. stick despite my good veins, but the anesthesiologist helped me relax. Thanks to the midazolam, I don’t remember anything after the taste of the anesthetic in my mouth.
25 yr WM
Well i will be praying for you. Cause i have been reading all the post on this site some are helpful and some are very scary to read. but i know i have to thru with this no matter what. You will do well
Please do NOT let the scary stories make you second guess. The majority of people do NOT have those experiences. My doctor made a good point…he said you don’t usually hear or see people on blogs who had an uneventful experience, right? It’s usually the people who have had problems. So the blogs or sites can see unevenly weighted towards ‘problems’. I think Greg even mentions this somewhere on this site. So please do not let others ‘horror’ stories get to you. I had to remind myself that I was getting this done for a reason and not taking it lightly by any means. I am sure none of you jumped into this. It was thought out and being suggested/done for a good reason. Just hang in there and hang tough!
Yolanda, ill be praying for you! I’m not going to lie, the pain is REAL, but take one day at a time and remember, your one day closer to getting better! Drink plenty of fluids!
Javer
Thank you, for the honest answer i dont like pain but i know this will help me in the long run.
I am so thankful for this site, So scared to have my procedure on June 15th this Friday. i’m trying to get my mind together to go thru this, I hope I will handle this, tired of getting pharyngitis every other month. Please everyone pray for me as i will be praying for each of you. this is going to be a long road to travel. I just turned 40yrs old and never been sick before until i get up in age what a mess. SCARED
Yolanda,
I can’t agree more with taking one day at a time! Everyday will bring about a new set of challenges. Remember to think positive and believe in yourself!!! Make sure you have positive people around you. Set goals for yourself (it may sound silly, but it really helps with getting through countless days of water as well as trying to eat when you don’t want to).
I am on day 14 today and continually getting better… PRAISE GOD! I’m still not 100% as I developed thrush so my tongue has been giving me issues and my speech is still impeded. I will be completely honest… there were several days (day 8ish) that I cried and was very frustrated. However, I got myself back together, prayed, and kept truckin!
Make sure you drink till your eye balls float and take the medication your doc prescribes. If its not working, call them and get something else. If you have a question or something doesn’t seem right, call your doc. This is what they get paid to do. I think I called 6 times throughout my recovery so I’m pretty sure my doc has my home number memorized!!!
Lastly, just remember that yes, you will experience pain, but this surgery is more MENTAL then anything. The 2 weeks following your surgery will be a test to your mental strength. One day you will feel like a million bucks and the next day may be something completely different- just know that and be ready! YOU CAN DO IT!!! I will keep you lifted in prayer… along with everyone else beginning/currently taking this journey. John 14:27!!!!!
Adrianne
Adrianne,
Thank you also i need support from positive people i just hope i get thru this in good spirit. God knows i dont like pain. the day is getting close.:(
I’m getting mine one day before you. I’m terrified.
I am having mine taken out on the 15th as well!! I am so nervous and fearing the pain as well but so ready to be tonsil free!
Yolanda, like many of you, I was TERRIFIED of this surgery. I’m 45 and am 8 weeks post-op. I actually put this off for over 10 years because of the fear. I was terrified I’d wake up choking or wouldn’t be able to breath, throat swollen shut, you name it – I was afraid of it.
I have to say it was nothing like that AT ALL. I woke up feeling fine and could swallow and take liquids right away. I was sore but not too bad. I know this is because they give you pain meds under the anesthesia as well as things to reduce swelling (as I saw on my tallied up bill that arrived about a month later, in full detail!).
It was much more scary THINKING about the surgery, than going through it. Yes, it is a painful recovery but every person’s pain tolerance is individual. What makes one person want to curl up in ball, is like just a very bad throat for another person. It is very much a MENTAL challenge. You will be in some level of pain, no doubt but you WILL be able to get through it. Age seems to have little to do with this, believe it or not. In fact, in my experience of reading TONS of posts from various sites, it seems to me that the people who claim to experience the worst pain are young 20-somethings. I actually read this on another site as well. So don’t be thinking your age is going to make it something that much more awful.
You’ll get through this….any of you going through it – you will. Just stay on top of your pain medication, always stay hydrated and always ask your doctor if you have ANY concerns or questions. It will be okay!!
Try not to worry. I had it done at 37, and my husband is having it done tomorrow at 42. While it isn’t a fun experience (what surgery is?) it is survivable. Just try to keep on top of your pain medication and don’t be afraid to speak up if the pain medication isn’t working for you. Drink a LOT of cold fluids–feels good on the throat and it is supposed to help control pain. Milkshakes were awesome! Best of luck to you, but I’m sure you will be fine. : )
Good luck tomorrow Yolanda! You’ll do fine!!
I had my tonsils removed on June 12th, six days after my 57th birthday. One of my high school classmates sent me a text and said “Girl you r toooo old for that.” I am amazed how so many ignorant people only look at your age and can not understand the pain and the cronic infections that goes along with these bad tonsils. It was no surprise to me when the doctor told me that needed to come out. I can remember ever since I was a least 7 years old on countless occations the doctors and my parents discussing have both tonsils and addnoids removed, but for what ever reason it was never done. So here I am, I finally mustard enough nerve to do it. When I woke up the pain was horrible! It has been outrageously painful since the day it was done. It was performed during a day surgery procedure so by the time I got home I just wanted to go to bed. I have one child, I have to admit that child birth and this pain ranks pretty close.
This is now day 5 and, I have come along way baby! I still can not make it the whole 4 hours before I take the pain medicine but I am up to about 3 3/4, so I know it is getting better. Between the snoring, the infections and the horrible sleep apnea, I feel like I am on to a new begining. Give it time it gets better!!!
Today is day 12 and I feel like I’ve finally turned that corner. I went into this surgery after 20+ years of recurring throat infections and knew I had to do something as they were getting worse with age. I was terrified of vomitting and bleeding. Let me tell you, I’ve had both. 2 days in, I woke up throwing up for 4 hours due to drainage and meds on an empty stomach. On day 9, I was hauled away from my home in an ambulance because of excessive, and very scary, bleeding. And I’m fine. I’m still taking Tylenol about every 4 hours and have my Lortab on hand at night should I need it, but this is the first day that I feel a noticeable difference in my pain.
Turns out there is a light at the end of the tunnel and here’s hoping it’s all worth it in the long run!
Thanks all for your input and for this great forum!