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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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Do you have questions about tonsil infection? See pictures of tonsils and learn more at TonsilsPictures.com
Day 7
Today has been an absolute WHIRLWIND of feelings! Last night was the second worst night I’ve had thus far (second to the night of Day 2 when I was vomiting). Woke up every hour on the hour from ear, throat and back pain. I was coughing all night, and every sip of water I took felt like I was swallowing razors. My pain meds were almost empty, so I wasn’t able to take the proper dose to make me feel any better. I also had to keep replacing my ice pack on my neck/throat throughout the night because it was an absolute necessity to have on to sooth some of the pain.
This morning involved a lot of tears, screeching, and swear words. I didn’t want to get out of bed today, but I had two doctor’s appointments that I needed to attend. The first appt. was with my regular family doctor who saw me at home the other day, he just wanted to check up on me because concerned about how I was doing (he’s such a sweetheart. I’m blessed to have him as my Dr!). I told him about everything that has been going on since he last saw me, such as the soreness increasing, my uvula swelling failing to subside, etc. However he was particularly concerned about the morphine not allowing me to have bowel movements for a week now. I was prescribed milk of magnesia (fun fact: the three flavour options were cherry, mint and… chalk. who in their right mind would want chalk flavoured anything?!?), and more pain meds (yay! The suffering can end! I can finally take the full dosage again!).
The second appt was with my ENT specialist who performed my surgery. He told me that my uvula is unusually swollen for this stage of recovery, but that it should go away in several days. He also told me that a few of my scabs have already started to come off and that I need to switch to a solid food diet now in order to help the rest of them fall off. I told him my concern about bleeding, and he told me judging on the way my mouth looks I shouldn’t have a problem with hemmorrhaging or excessive bleeding! I’m very relieved to hear that!
What scared me the most today was trying to switching back to a solid food diet. I hadn’t eaten anything before the appointments due to the amount of pain I was in. Judging by the stinging in my throat with EVERYTHING I consume, I started getting nervous about eating anything period.
Then all of the sudden, after taking a few bites of ice cream my mom bought me on the way home from the doctors to cheer me up, I had a panic attack. I don’t know what came over me. This was the second one I’ve ever had in my entire life and it frightened me. I was hyper-ventalating and crying uncontrollably, sweating profusely, was really dizzy, and basically flailing around in the car. Now believe me when I tell you I am NEVER like this. I don’t have any history with anxiety/depression or mood/mental disorders. But thanks to a little useful tool called Google, I discovered that this behaviour can be the result of using narcotics. I eventually calmed down, but that didn’t take the pain away.
I tried to eat some soft roast beef and mashed potatoes, but it took one of my scabs off and triggered the excruciating sting. I know I needed to eat because my stomach was empty and I hadn’t taken pain killers yet, so I used some handy dandy chloraseptic spray on the back of my throat. I figured it would be too hard on my throat at first, so instead of spraying it on the back of my mouth, I mixed it with some water and swished it around. After my throat started to go a bit numb, I sprayed it a few times and like magic, my throat felt magnificent! I will definitely be using every 2 hours for the rest of my recovery! I was able to eat without pain afterwards! It was a miracle!
So now I’m sitting here feeling a million times better than I did a few hours ago. It’s hard to believe that so much change can happen in a short amount of time. As a side note, I’m lost 6 pounds, in 7 days… crazy.
Thanks to those of you who take time to read my venting. It really helps me mentally and emotionally get through this recovery.
I’ll update tomorrow.
Be careful with the chloroseptic. I wanted to use it too and couldn’t understand why my doctor advised against it. I mean come on!!! If it help numb the pain why wouldn’t I? SO she explain while I was back in the ER that the medicine used to numb actually causes your blood vessels to constrict and postpones healing. UGH I was so sad to hear this. I almost cried.
Really? That’s no good! Thanks for telling me that.
I asked my doctor and he said it was ok, just to go easy on it as it may sting. I water it down and gargle with it then spit all of it out when I use it. A lot of my scabs have been coming off already so a lot my throat is just new tender skin.
I’ll be careful with it though.
Hi All
Day 5 after surgery
I’m a 65 year old mother who as my son says “is having this tonsillectomy 60 years late”. After having sore throat and swollen lymph glands since the last week in Feb.,four doctor appts. and four different antibiotics, I was referred to the ENT who did my surgery. Although I’m healthy, the surgery and recovery was daunting especially because of my age. (I asked my ENT if I was the oldest tonsillectomy patient he’s had and he’d actually had a 70 year old man go through it OK.) This site has been a terrific help because of all who have shared tips and experiences!!
Day 1 and 2 -The most helpful things were constantly sucking ice chips, gel ice packs on the neck, sleeping in an upright position in a recliner. I felt all helped enormously to keep swelling and the pain it causes down. A hint I used from another site was to eat a couple spoonfuls of cold applesauce with every medicaton to help prevent nausea. I also had the anitinausea pil that melts under your tongue-Zofran. Most of the time was sleeping/dozing. Ate orange jello, applesauce, gatorade without difficulty.
Day 3- However after 2 uses, I found that Zofran was causing me extreme stomach pain and I vomited once anyway. I contacted the oncall doc from my ENT’s office. After consulting with him, I stopped using Zofran, felt much better and have not vomited since. Since it was the percocet that causes my nausea, he agreed that I could try reducing my percocet dosage a little and taking 10 ml of children’s tylenol at the same time.This gave me enough pain relief without causing nausea. When my scabs fall off and pain increases,I know I may have to increase the percocet. I continued the ice chips and gel ice pack often.
Day 4- Felt the best so far and hungry,too. Soft scrambled egg tasted heavenly and supplied some protein. Later had some mashed potatoes thinned with a little white gravy to a semi-solid consistency. Was able to talk fairly comfortably, and was awake most of time.
Day 5- Woke up at 4:30 am with sharpest pain so far. Had to increase the percocet a little. No appetite for any of yesterdays “treats”. Managed a little bowl of cream of wheat at noon. Talking and swallowing are very painful. Am disappointed but know from posts this is normal course. Writing this post gives me something to occupy and distract myself from the sucky feeling.
My concern is tenderness in the neck lymph gland on my left side. Gland is not hard but seems a little bigger than yesterday. Taking 500 mg Children’s Amoxicillin 3 x a day. Worried about infection. Has anyone had an infection in the days after surgery? We have huge power and phone outages here from storms over the weekend. My surgery center has no electricity but someone answered the phone to tell me everyone was gone and the ENT office next door was the same situation. ENT phone appears out of service. Since tomorrow is July 4, I will try again on Thurs.
May thanks for all who shared here!!
Sarah, hopefully it’s not infected! I’m praying that it’s just swollen and will go down soon. Being in the part of the states without electricity is not a good situation to be in in case you need medical attention. Stay away from dairy, ice your neck like crazy and take your meds. Good luck and keep us posted.
Sarah, glad you seem to be on a normal healing trajectory. I’m 46 and had mine out 3 mos ago. My glands felt very swollen and quite sore on both sides for about my first week of recovery. I actually felt like both sides of my neck looked slightly swollen from them being enlarged. I’m sure our immune systems are busy dealing with the healing and this is a part of that response. I did not have an infection but felt like I did have a very low grade fever perhaps the first week or so.
Try to take heart – sometimes days 5-10 are the roughest but it WILL get better. You have to mentally just be prepared that these days might be more painful and keep up with your hydration, icing and pain meds.
In so sorry you’re without power. I’ve been reading about the power outages south of here (I’m in Massachusetts) and my heart goes out to you. I hope you get power back very soon.
Hang in there and know that you are not alone, we’ve all been there and all made it out to the ‘other side.’.
Hello Again,
I am on day 6 and my scabs are beginning to fall off. I thought that it would be between day 8 and 10 for this to happen and wonder if if this is normal. There was a tiny bit of bleeding as it came off that stopped with rest, ice, and ice chips. The skin behind it looks very raw, almost purple, but then again most of the skin that isnt white there looks that way. I am a little concerned.
A,
My scabs started coming off yesterday and today (day 6 & 7), my ENT specialist says its normal. Just means you’re healing quickly! Might be a bit more sore though coming off now if they were to come off on days 10, 11, 12.
Hello all,
Today is Day 4 and the depression is starting to set in, largely due to the fact that everyone around me is eating the most amazing meals every made. About how long after surgery until I can eat regularly again, specifically a Whopper w/ fries (just so I know where this inevitable light at the end of the tunnel is)?
Thank you all. This forum has most definitely helped calm me at times during this process.
Dan, I would think by day 10 or so you’d be able to try your favorite foods, barring any complications. I ate a roast beef sandwich around day 9-10 and just needed to chew it well. I remember feeling like my throat was more tired and sore AFTER eating more solid foods, but that was to be expected and was kind of like a ‘workout’ for my throat.
Try to eat even small quantities of what you crave. Just chew very well and avoid anything too sharp or crunchy. You shouldn’t have to feel deprived provided you’re following your doctors instructions on eating.
Hang in there Dan, you’re healing and you WILL feel better.
It just takes longer than most of us wish it would.
Thank you for the information, Beth. You are truly a blessing.
I started eating pasta on day seven. That and soup were the only real food I could eat until day eleven. That was when I went out for dinner and picked my favorite meal (broiled tilapia topped with shrimp). It was so good and didn’t hurt, and was so worth the wait. I had a burger and fries the next day.
So I’m on day 7/8. Since day 1 I’ve forced myself to eat proper food as the sooner I eat the quicker the healing right?
Swallowing hurts in general but anytime I eat or drink the pain is horriffic! It goes a bit later. I feel it right at the top of my mouth. What’s that all about?
I’ve also got the white bits, but have a bruised like area in the middle of it. Anyone got/had this?
Also is it normal for my dangly bit lol still to be reall swollen after a week??
Soooo many questions!!!
Ami, my uvula was swollen for about 10 days (dangly thing) so it will go down, just takes time. Anything acidic at all will sting badly so avoid any foods or drinks that are acidy. I remember my throat soreness flaring up after eating. This is common. Just eat the textures you can tolerate and don’t let the pain prevent you from getting nutrients in – the swallowing helps healing and the nutrition is important for your body to do its job. I know it hurts bad but just keep taking your pain meds on schedule and eat when they are most kicked in and you’re feeling the least pain.
I didn’t have any bruised areas, just the white patches where the missing tonsils were. Perhaps you have some slight bruising from instruments used in your procedure or just that’s how it looks and is a normal part of your particular healing. If you’re concerned, call your surgeon and ask. Do you have a follow up appt soon?
Hang in there Ami!
Thanks Beth! No I don’t have a follow up! Seeing my usual doctor Friday as due back to work monday! Now it’s day 10 and still my uvula is swollen big!! I can see the top of my mouth is all inflamed too! Grrrrr!
Hayley, everyone’s scab experience seems to be different. I never ‘felt’ them come off. They just gradually sloughed away until around the 2 1/2 week mark I had all pink. I absolutely DO think eating and drinking does help the sloughing through the natural swallowing motion, painful as that is. Think about if you had food sitting in your mouth unswallowed, it wouldn’t go anywhere. Same with the scabs, you need to swallow to move everything along. You are right about at the point where frustration can set in (days 5-10) so hang in there – it truly does get better but may seem worse for a little while before you get to the ‘better.’. This is totally normal and many of us went through this (myself included).
We are used to feeling crappy for just a few days then feeling better. This recovery is challenging because of the duration of the pain but I promise it WILL get better! Many people see very obvious improvement after day 10-11.
To answer your other questions, you should not expect bleeding as the scabs slough provided you don’t eat sharp or crunchy foods. I noticed that warm things seemed more pleasant as my scabs diminished. Things like tomato sauce stung and anything acidic even up to day 12-14 for me. It’s all trial and error. Shortly after the 2 1/2 week mark I could eat almost anything but almonds were still a bit challenging.
Hugs and you’re getting better every day even if you don’t feel like it. The pain is part of the healing. This too shall pass.
Hi Beth,
The frustration is most definitely setting in now! Watching my family eat all of my favourite foods around me is just pure torture! (My sister just sat down beside with a piping hot bowl of buttery popcorn, the little green monster is coming out!). I think what’s also incredibly tough mentally to deal with is knowing I will feel better, but not knowing when!
I’ve already run into trouble with acidic foods. I tried to make myself a smoothie a few days ago and it just burned on the way down!
Thanks for all of the support Beth, as I said to A it’s nice to talk to someone who understands and empathizes what I’m going through. My family doesn’t quite comprehend just how sore the procedure actually made me feel! All of the advice, tips and experiences are really helpful!
Day 5 & 6
(19, Female, Canada)
So the past couple of days have been a different kind of pain in my mouth. It is more of a sharp sting rather than a dull constant pain. Yesterday I was just so frustrated with the pain I just broke down. I would give yesterday’s pain rating a 7 out of 10. I didn’t speak at all yesterday unless it was something really important (a task hard for me as I am usually a chatterbox!). Everything I ate/drank burned as it went down, but I kept forcing it down because I know I need the nutrition. I’ve been sleeping really well through the night, even though I wake up and take pain killers/drink water. It’s just the morning pain that is really the most dreadful of all.
I find myself feeling so exhausted all the time. I fall asleep at all parts of the day, even after sleeping for at least 8 hours during the night! I guess my body just needs the rest. I’ve been cutting back on my morphine, so maybe that will help with the sleepiness. Besides, I’m running out of it anyways and I hate what that stuff does to my body, especially when it comes to constipation (tmi, I know).
Today my mouth feels better, but I’m still getting a stinging sensation. Still no bleeding yet, and no scabs have come off.
To those how are farther along the recovery stage or have recovered already, when should I expect the scabs to come off? By hydrating and eating frequently will that mean they will come off faster? As of Wednesday it will be exactly one week after my surgery.
Also, what should I be expecting after the scabs come off (bleeding, able to eat solid foods again, sensitivity)?
Sucks that the pain hasn’t subsided yet, it has been a longer recovery journey than I expected it to be!
Pain rating today is a 5 out of 10
I’ll post again soon.
Hi Hayley,
I am in the exact same place as you in recovery, although im much older, 34. I too have noticed the pain go from the ache to the sharp stinging pain in the last 2 days (5 & 6). And the mornings are dreadful, almost makes me want to stay awake all night! Mine seems to respond well to percocet, so I feel a pain of 4-5 on swallowing, and a 1-2 during other times. I found eating cream of wheat mixed with chicken broth to be nutritious and does not sting at all, the only thing that hasnt. The thing that is terrifying me is the chance of bleeding as the scabs come off, terrified due to the numerous horror stories you can find on the web about it. Ive noticed that a few have already come off as I can see more of the pink tissue of my throat than before. I didn’t notice it as it happened. This morning I saw the first tiny bit of blood in my saliva. I spit it out every now and then to check, part of being paranoid, and there was a tiny bit. I looked back there and saw a little bright streak coming down from one side. I sucked some ice and fell back asleep. It must have stopped. I can still see the little streak every now and then as I looked throughout the day and continue to suck on ice chips, nothing has come up in my saliva since. I hope im not just swallowing it and am unaware of the amount. Its so true that it is a loooong journey. I believe that the switch from dull ache to sharp pain is a sign of our turning point, that whole ‘things will get worse before better’ and that things get better bit by bit from here. At least that is my hope for you , me, and everyone else out there.
Hi A,
Thanks for the reply! I haven’t experienced any bleeding yet either! and I’ll try the cream of wheat tomorrow morning and see if that can sooth the morning “super sting” of my throat. I almost just want to go back to sleep so I can’t feel the pain anymore! I’m leading myself to believe that this is the turning point for me! I’ve seeing my doctor tomorrow so I’m sure he’ll be able to see how things are coming along in my mouth better than I can with my cell phone flashlight! I’m happy to hear you aren’t having too many complications with your recovery! I too have read so many scary tales on this forum and others online of scabs causing bleeding and severe pain/gagging as they come off. I’m praying that won’t happen to me!
Keep updating the forum on your recovery! It’s comforting to know there are other people out there going through the exact same thing I am!
All the best
Trust me when I say you will know if you’re bleeding hard. I woke up sharply one morning and lurched out of bed to violently vomit blood. It was old dark blood but then an hour later it was pure bright blood. We prepared to go to the ER and the strangest stuff started coming up. It was like pinkish foam. Apparently, it was the blood trying to clot. Which is a good sign. Blood must have just drained down through the night and into my belly making me sick. It was the most sever pain I’ve ever felt during the vomiting and I almost passed out. Then the dry heaving started. My God… I was on my hands and needs sobbing and trying to get my shaking under control. The good thing is that I went right to the ER. They admitted me right away and got the pain under control. It was like heaven. Then they also gave me a steroid which took the swelling of my tongue down. I wish I had more of that! Once my tongue swelling went down I was able to even out a bit and actually eat something more than broth and mashed cauliflower. I’m 31 and had an infection when they went in to take them out so I had a bit more complication. My tonsils were apparently HUGE and blocking my airway. I can’t wait to see how well I breath! I’m on day 10, my scabs came off this morning and the stinging is intense and another round of pain to endure but I have HOPE that tomorrow I will wake up and feel a turn for the upswing. Happy 4th of July!
A, my teeth were sensitive for the first week after surgery. Not sure why but it will go away.
I am on day 5, 34 yr old female, and have been brushing my teeth for all 5 days. Today when the toothpaste hit a few of my teeth it stung like a terrible cavity. They are not teeth in the back near the swollen tongue, id understand if those were sensitive. But these are the bottom teeth on the front surface. I was the dentist within the last month and they checked out as strong viable teeth. I have to think it is related to the procedure but have not found any information on it or any similar stories. Thoughts?
FYI Greg, when I clicked the link to “Tom’s Story” I get brought back to this forum.
Tom’s Journey, sorry bout that.
Kathleen, I totally agree with your assessment of things. Everyone’s recovery is different and has its own course. Just stay the course with fluids, meds and rest and your body will do the healing. It’s built to tackle these things so as long as we don’t get in the way (i.e. overdo it) it’ll do it’s job for us!
Cynthie, so glad to hear that things are going fairly well for your recovery. I agree about expect the worst and it’ll likely be much better than that! So, so true! I was expecting a nightmare and it turned out to be very painful but manageable. Good advice Cynthie!
Mandi, many people find days 5-10 to be the most uncomfortable. It’s hard to tell how it will go for you. Just know that it MAY get worse but you’ll be mentally prepared and if you keep drinking and staying on your medication schedule, you WILL get through it. We all did and you will too. It’s a painful recovery but entirely in your power to get through it. Hang in there!!
Dan, it is hard to eat when you are uncomfortable and have no appetite but it’s so important for healing to get some quality nutrients in. Try Slimfast and Ensure nutrition drinks. They can feel a little thick but they might be easier than actual food. Even if you can get in a 1/2 a cup of some type of food it will help your body. I became addicted to Stouffer’s Mac-n-cheese. It is high calorie, very soft and it goes down easy. I was eating an individual size tray of that every day. I also found that if you can get or have someone make a vanilla custard for you that it is very easy to eat and tastes fantastic. Think of creme brulee but not with the burned sugar on top. Others also ate pancakes drowned in butter and syrup as well as instant mashed potatoes. Those all seemed to be big hits. If you have to, force yourself to eat. It’ll keep up your strength and give your body something to buffer against the pain meds on your belly.
A few people have commented on issues with mucus. This is normal and part of the healing process. If you can, you could try very gently gargling or swishing a lightly salted water solution around your mouth. It might help. I simply found the act of swallowing a lot, painful as it is, helped greatly in just pushing the mucus down. I think having swollen uvula also contributes to that mucusy feeling because you constantly feel as though something is stuck in your throat or touching the way back of your tongue. That swelling WILL go down but it may take up to 10 days for it to gradually recede. The act of swallowing also is going to help slough your scab too, so try to drink as much as you possibly can and eat whatever you can get down!
E, how are you hanging in there? I know you said you are still on your pain meds but are you at least able to eat more now? You may be surprised – and I hope you are – how the pain will begin to diminish soon. It’s been a tough road for you (hug) and I hope you see the better side of things really soon. Been thinking of you!
Hi BETH
A little concerned two weeks on to be needing lots of painkillers. Do you know if you needed so much at this stage. Called the Doctors who just say if you didn’t eat it will take longer to heal and clear the sloth. But I’ve been eating little and often and my throat has been clear 5 days!
Still hanging in tho:)
Thanks for your kind words means a lot to know you are caring
E, by the end of week one I only took Percocet at night to help sleep through the discomfort. I was in a lot of pain but just took ibuprofen and Tylenol during the day and a small Percocet dose sometimes in the morning if it was a bad morning. I found the opiate meds way too constipating. That’s the main reason I started to back off them when I did. My poor bowels were shut down!
E, If you’re at the end of week 2 and still need prescription pain meds around the clock, you really may want to start tapering slowly off of them abd transitioning to just ibuprofen and Tylenol.
Your doctor is definitely right – the swallowing motion helps slough the scabs and heal the throat. Eat and drink as much as you can E. I know it hurts, but the eating is really good for your throat. it’s going to get better soon!!
I tried to respond to individual comments but for some reason the website won’t allow it or respond. Hmmmm……Z, I am so sorry you had to go through that bleeding nightmare. I’m very glad you seem to be back on track. Truthfully, it was storied like yours that scared the S#&T out of me and kept me from doing this 10+ years ago. I’m 46 and had my tonsillectomy almost 3 months ago. In your situation I can’t imagine why you bled like that with no discernable bleeding disorder. Maybe the surgeon simply cut much too deeply when extracting the tonsils?
For those of you reading who are either scheduled for or thinking about tonsillectomy, please know that these bad bleeds are very rare. My surgeon (who I’ve been seeing for tonsil problems for over 15 years) told me that of the literally thousands of tonsillectomies he’s done, he has NEVER had to transfuse a patient. So this tells you that most bleeds, if they do occur, are generally not as involved as what you went through Z. Please, anyone scared of the bleeding risk, have a frank talk with your own ENT. I let my mind go crazy reading about people’s bleeds on the internet and got myself so scared I waited far too long to have this surgery.
Emily, I did not have the nasal thing you are talking about but I think a lot of people have. It will take time for your body to adjust its swallowing with the extra space in your throat post-tonsillectomy. Don’t forget, that all that space will fill in and heal flush so that you have a smooth interior to back of your throat there. As this happens, it would be my guess that the swallowing issue will get much better. Try to take small sips and swallow slowly – perhaps this will help? Anyone else that has had this have some help to offer Emily?
From what I understand an artery may have been nicked during surgery. I’m 5 days in after the 3rd surgery and the scab is beginning to come off, which is making me a bit nervous. hopefully all continues to go smooth.
And yes, my bleeding was pretty rare. I think they said something like 3%. My tonsils were apparently the worst she had ever removed and pretty difficult to remove. I wouldn’t worry about the same thing happening to you.
I had issues with bleeding too…not as server Good Luck you will make it. I have found a new meaning of pray.
I had my tonsillectomy on Friday and today is Sunday, I am kind of concerned because to be able to drink I have to pinch my nose so that the drink doesn’t come out there. Now a few months ago I had nasal and sinus surgery, but I never had this problem before. This makes it incredibly difficult to hydrate, and I keep getting very dehydrated. Does anyone know about this? Is this normal?
Hi EMILY
I had my op on the 18th June. I also have this problem although it only seemed to happen when the uvular (dangly thing) was swollen. I didn’t know this could happen and it scared me at first but yes I think it’s normal. It should settle. I kind of leant forward and then backwards as I swallowed to see if anything helped.
Hope you have a good recovery.
I posted a few days ago before my situation turned even more terrible. I had my tonsillectomy on June 22nd and immediately had complications with bleeding. After about 3 hours in the recovery room I had to be put under again to re-cauterize. After 4 days of extremely uncomfortable recovery I began bleeding profusely and went to the ER. They had me gargle ice water and got it to stop. The next day I began bleeding even more and again went to the ER. This time I bled for about 3 hours almost suffocating on blood and thinking I was going to die right there choking on my blood. I later found out it was an artery. They put me under for a third time to re-re-cauterize. I spent the following 2 days in the hospital. I’m now on day 4 of the “2nd recovery” which has been a lot less painful. Last night I bled just a little. I will be calling the ENT in just a moment. I couldn’t stand to have to do another surgery as I have barely eaten since June 22nd and have lost 15lbs (I was pretty skinny in the first place). It’s a very odd situation and the doctors are a little perplexed. I have no clotting issues and no indication as to why I’m bleeding as much as I am.
Oh Z that sounds very bad you must be tired. I do hope this is on the way to healing now. I feel for you as I have suffered nnot the bleeding but with pain. I am on day 13 now and taking as many painkillers as day 1. I hope you manage to get some good food asap so you can build yourself up and plenty of water. Good luck with a fast recovery
Hello everyone,
I had my surgery yesterday morning and I have found it very difficult to eat anything. My appetite is just not there. But my body is completely weak. Any advice?
My appetite wasn’t there either. But I was throwing up from the medicines and no food so I had to force food down. Yogurt was the easiest thing to eat for me, also chicken noodle soup. On the second day I had toast (not supper toasted but enough to be warm) and that was really nice to get some type of solid in my system. Hope this helps!
I am just starting day five post-op and surprisingly the pain is manageable. It’s. It as painful for me to swallow liquids now. But I’m wondering if this is just a mirage and that my pain is going to come back. Did anyone else have manageable by day five? And lately I have been feeling queasy.
I had my surgery Monday morning. I’m still having horrible pain as well. On day four I coughed up blood in the bathroom and panicked, as I walked back to my room I fainted for a couple of minutes, until my grandfather picked me up and set me on my bed. I still feel quesy too. Hang in there it will all be over soon….
I HOPE!
Well, I survived! Had my tonsillectomy on June 19th. I’m all healed (very little scabs left on one side) and back to work on Tues.
I was expecting much worse coming out of surgery. But I must say my ears hurt more than my throat. They pumped me with morphine then gravol. I got out 4 hrs after surgery and was fine. I managed to eat ravioli, bread(no crust), iced coffee and a donut that night! I was excited!
The next morning I woke up and needed my painkillers but it wasnt as bad as I thought. I slept thru the night with no probs. I ate scrambled eggs, apple juice, bread and yogurt.
Everything was fine until day 4,5 & 6. Those were the worst days ever. Couldn’t swallow my own spit! Turns out thats the time when the scab takes over and I can say OUCH! I was pretty sad and frustrated and spend most of those days struggling to swallow my painkillers and slept. Then a miracle happened. On day 7 I woke up and was fine! Very little pain. So I went about my day eating and drinking. I kept an eye on my scabs and they slowly deteriorated. I had no pain or any clue when they fell off. There’s still a bit on one but it no longer hurts to swallow and I can eat anything.
To those who are going thru tough times or are nervous about the surgery. Expect the worse! I did and it didn’t seem so bad. And all I can say is drink drink drink water and ice!! Even if it hurts. Hang in there….there’s a light at the end of the tunnel!
I am now at day 10. Wednesday we went out for dinner and I was able to eat some pasta and some soup. It hutt a little, but it was the most I’ve been able to eat. That night, I spit out some nasty sheets of skin, which I am assuming were scabs, while brushing my teeth. Since then, I have felt a definite improvement in swallowing and less need for pain meds.
Thursday night, I got 7 hours of sleep and Friday night, 8 hours. Woohoo! Good thing I am feeling better, because my 8-year old just had his tonsillectomy on Thursday. He had a bad reaction to the gas and was very sick the first day. Yesterday was really good for him, but he wouldn’t heed our warnings not to overdo it. So he regressed a bit this afternoon. From what I can tell, though, he’s doing better than I was at that point (day 3).
Since he’s requiring the extra energy I need to fully recover, I think I will give myself another couple of days before I resume normal activity. But for the most part, I think I am finally there. Yea!
I wish the speediest recovery to those of you still in the midst of it. Three things – 1) Stay on top of pain meds and don’t be afraid to ask the dr for more or stronger! 2) Drink, drink, and keep drinking, even when it hurts. 3) Don’t compare your recovery to anyone else’s. You’re likely to overdo it. Your body needs lots of rest and no one will think less of you if recovery takes 14 days instead of 12.
Day 3 & 4
(19, Female, Canada)
Hey all! Sorry I didn’t post yesterday, I’ve been bit busy and I’ve been trying to catch up on sleep.
E, I’m happy you can finally eat a bit. I’m following your story and it seems like this procedure has given you one hell of a go!
Madison I’m also getting what appears to be new skin around my uvula, it could just be that the electro cauterization tool touched your uvula and maybe burned it? That’s what look like happened to mine and there’s white stuff on it too.
I’ll start with the night of day 2:
By far the worst day post-op. On the night of day 2, I woke up in the middle of the night and started vomiting up pure liquids. I suppose it could be from taking my pain meds without a lot of solid food in my stomach, but it was one of the most painful things I’ve ever endured. There was no bleeding from the surgical site, but with my throat so swollen and the wounds so fresh everything just stung so bad. I managed to fall back asleep after forcing water into me, but woke up a few hours later to more vomiting. I got the spins really bad and almost didn’t make it to the bathroom on time to get sick. Just thinking about the incident turns my stomach.
So I couldn’t take any more morphine for the rest of the night because I was afraid to puke it up again, so I just dealt with the soreness and barely slept the night. This decision really messed up my timing for taking meds (oh well…)
Pain rating 8 out of 10
Day 3:
During the day was manageable, my uvula continued to swell up. My family doctor actually swung by my house to get a haircut from my mom (she’s a hairdresser) so he checked out my throat while he was here. He told me the swelling is normal, it’s just swollen in particular from my uvula trying to compensate for the missing tissue in my throat (my tonsils) and the stress from vomiting the night before. Other than that he says I’m healing considerably well. My stomach and throat made a massive turn around later on in the day and I managed to eat a grilled cheese without the crust, mashed potatoes, and a little bit of cold chicken meat. I’m still drinking water all throughout of the day. I also have cut back on my morphine dosage after my vomiting incident and paired it with Advil instead of tylenol (my dr. cleared that). The advil helps take down the swelling in my mouth whereas the children’s liquid tylenol didn’t. I slept through the night well last night, with the exception of waking up to take pain meds and drinking water.
Day 4:
Today was a mixed bunch of feelings. I slept in today, but of course as a result of that, my throat was dry as the sahara desert. I kept quiet for most of the day as it was difficult to speak in the morning due to my throat dryness. Despite this, I was feeling house bound, so I ate some hot oatmeal and went out with my mom to run a few errands. But of course, I chose one of the hottest days with high humidity levels to go on these errands!! It was difficult to breathe through the thick air, I felt really dehydrated, nauseated, and dizzy. I went home to rest, drink water, and eat a little bit more. Eating took away most of my pain and sick feeling which was nice! I decided to attend a family get together and it put me in high spirits. I made a homemade spinach and artichoke dip to bring to the party, and I even indulged in it a little because the pita bread was soft enough for me to eat. I ate a bit of boneless chicken breast and some red peppers. Everyone was really encouraging me and all had a really positive attitude towards my situation, which really lifted my mood back up to where it needs to be. I’m back home now, exhausted and a bit sore for my eventful day, but I do not regret any of it!
So far so good for my recovery, it’s Canada Day tomorrow so I need to rest up so I can celebrate my country’s birthday with friends and family. I really don’t want to miss the fireworks in my hometown, they are always amazing!
The question I propose to the forum is, what can I do about getting rid of mucous in my nose and throat. Mucous has also been a HUGE problem lately (even when I don’t eat dairy products). I have no idea how to get rid of it. I do this weird half cough noise to try and get it out of my mouth but it always gets stuck on my uvula. Blowing my nose doesn’t seem to do the trick.
My pain meds have me feeling a bit woozy so I’m going to lay down for a little while. Talk to you all tomorrow!
Hey HAYLEY
Hope you are recovering fast.
I am still suffering a lot of pain and taking lots of painkillers. I just hope I can ease off on them soon they are making me feel sick despite the anti sickness stuff.
As for the mucus I just try and cough it up and spit it out when I can although the bruising on the tongue has made it harder to judge what’s in my mouth. I too am bunged up with it all. I just try a big cough, but try not to rip my throat. Or blow really hard down my nose. I have this olbas inhaler to try and clear things.
Keep resting and keep your fluids going and chew gum. Happy healing:)
I just got my tonsils out June 21st. Im 18 and it has been incredibly painful! Same as most of the other comments on here, I had horrible ear pain and throat pain even when I was just swallowing naturally. However the only thing I’m concerned about now is the scabs and what is being healed in my throat….
With in the first couple days of recovery I had huge white scabs, by days 3 one of the scabs had attached to the dangly thing in the back of my throat ( I believe its called the uvulva..?). Anyways, it has been 9 days and it looks like new skin is growing attached to the dangly thing.. I’m not sure if that is normal..it doesn’t really look normal:/. I don’t go in for my follow up for another week. But is anyone else growing new skin attached to the dangly thing or is that weird and I’m lucky? Hah
- madi!
I am 32 and father of 4. I just had mine pulled on the 26th. Man this sucks swallowing liquid is not getting easier. I am full of mucus I just can’t get rid of it…at times it feels like drowning.
I am 31 and had mine out on the 25th. I thought I would feel much better by now but I don’t. Frustration is intense and so is exhaustion. Hoping you feel better than I do. This morning I lost a lot of the scabbing so I’m trying to eat something that doesn’t sting tonight. No fireworks for me tonight… well…except for the fire explosion in my throat! Ahhhh
Hey Beth,
Still got a sore mouth and now a stiff jaw and deep pain in my teeth like an ache, different to the tight jaw to begin with.
I’m still needing the pain relief
BUT I have managed to eat a little every day. It’s more everything stings like salt because I have little cuts. My scabs are all gone though and I can’t believe this time last week I had them all.
Last week I tried to eat some pasta and cried not been able to even hold it in my mouth but today I actually ate about 10 pieces.
Hoping things ease up every day.
Hope you are well, nice to hear from you
Of course, what a magnificent website and informative posts, I will bookmark your blog.All the Best!
Hey Adam, I had mine the same day as you can you remember? Really pleased to hear you are doing so well. Happy eating
Adam, I never had issues with taste but have heard its really common to have taste issues for some time post tonsillectomy. I’ve read a lot about that. Hopefully it resolves soon for you. I did brush my teeth every single day post op because I couldn’t stand the taste of foods/drinks sitting on my tongue. It made my mouth feel much fresher. Glad all is going well for you.
Hayley and Randy, how are you today? And E??
Hang in there everyone! Things will improve. Had mine out on the 18th of June and I just had taco bell soft tacos will very little pain. For those who have had this before, did things taste weird to you? Almost like a metallic/bitter taste. Don’t get me wrong, it has been great eating normal again, but things just taste very “off” to me.
Hi all
I had my tonsils out on 18th June so I am 12 days post surgery. had a very bad time, if you’ve read my many posts you know already what terrible pain I have had and still am having. I wondered if anyone knows how long I should need such strong pain killers for? I am taking dihydracodeine, paracetamol and nurofen as many times a day as I am allowed, I’d take more if I could. Also My jaw is getting stiff and top teeth are painful now making me too tired to eat much still. Has anyone else got a sore jaw 12 days on? I don’t mean the pain and tight jaw you get when you wake this is a deep teeth pain?
Thanks all and I hope your recoveries are all going well. It’s so nice to hear when people recover fast
Hi e, I’m on my 11th day post op and I too have teeth pain. It feels a lot like my wisdom teeth felt like when they came in. Def sore!
Hi BRITTANY
That’s good to hear I’m not alone, how about pain? I’m still needing the most amount of pain relief I’m allowed? Doctors no help. Hope you are feeling better very day:)
I had my tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy Monday, June 25. It was mid-morning and surgery went really fast. Home by 3 that afternoon. I knew it would be a hard recovery as my ENT described it as “brutal” and no fun. I had a friend come to stay with me for 8 days and I’m so glad I did. There have been times where I can barely keep my head up or keep track of when I took my meds.
Right out of surgery I wanted to blow my nose but the nurse said I shouldn’t so I struggled with back drainage and severe tightening. I wanted to hack like an old man at the sick but was terrified to even clear my throat. While in the recovery room the popsicle felt amazing and I had 2 with 2 cold cups of water. I was experiencing A LOT of tightness at the base of my throat. Where the adam’s apple is. Later on we discovered it was swelling at the epiglottimos. THis also choked me in my sleep when I finally could relax a little. I would wake up gasping for air and could actually feel it moving up and down. ickis! Finally, that subsided on the 3rd day and I could sleep only upright for an hour and half at a time. My Doctor has me on Rexicet 2-3 tsp every 4 hours or so but in the middle I felt like I was going to slap someone if I had to swallow again. So we are taking Children’s motrin for swelling in between. This is a winning combo.
Now for eating… I’m allergic to Dairy which made getting shakes, smoothies, protein in check very difficult. I am a clean eater with a higher protein diet. I sort of freaked out earlier today after feeling like EVERYTHING was sweet. GROSS. plus the sweetness was messing with the thickness of my tongue and mucus. The popsicles felt great but too too sweet and I recommend making your own if you have enough time to prep. American bombers seem to be my favorite. No Lemonade or lime or sour! ANother major break through was mashed cauliflower! Steam them till it’s like butter and just mash them down with butter and a little parm cheese. I put chicken boullion in the water while steaming. It’s delicious and a much easier consistancy. I’ve mashed steamed carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and asparagus. Today I even could eat some egg whites and sucked on a little peanut butter at a time. Very little bits. My blood sugar was really messing with me until I got more protein in the mix.
The pain at times has brought me to my tippy toes while swallowing while tears stream down my face but tonight I’m feeling much better. I think the blood sugar has a lot to do with it. Keep drinking water. More ice the better and for the non dairy people, coconut milk with soaked graham crackers is a yummy yummy treat.
SOrry, for the misspelling or if things don’t read properly… I’m a little drugged up right now.
Ashley
I had my surgery last Thursday (just my tonsils out though). And I dramatically improved yesterday (Thursday). I didn’t think that I had even formed scabs until they started to fall off. It is really just all mucus covered and then the mucus seems like it is falling off. I too had severe ear pain when the scabs started to fall off and the pain increased. Now my pain is so much more bearable and the nasty mucus is almost all gone. My tongue too swelled at the same point, I felt like I was biting it in my sleep too because there was nowhere for it to go. Try to keep your spirits up, I found biting i.e. chips helped the ear pain. Good luck.
I am 18 years old and had my tonsils and adenoids removed last Friday. The first revovery day was not bad at all, but every day since then has been terrible. My ear pain is unbearable, I get no relief. I was not expecting this ear pain. It is so painful to even swallow water. After eating today I started to notice a weird, burning pain in my throat. I am unsure of how to tell if a scab has formed. My tongue is very sensitive and swollen like. I have become very frustrated from the pain. I just want some relief