Tonsillitis,Tonsil Stones, and Tonsillectomy Recovery
Tonsillectomy recovery can be a long dark tunnel. With all the anxiety leading up to tonsillectomy surgery, and all the challenges of recovering from a tonsillectomy, a patient can easily become overwhelmed. The best weapon a tonsillectomy patient can arm them self with is information. Knowledge is truly power. Going into surgery unprepared is the most common mistake made. Your doctor, while trained in treating tonsil problems like tonsillitis, strep throat, and tonsil stones is an excellent resource. If you and your doctor decide that a tonsillectomy is the right choice, your job is to arm yourself with the best information you can and, perhaps more importantly, tonsillectomy recovery. I’ve maintained a forum for patients recovering from the surgery for several years. Most patients report that their Doctor’s attention quickly wanes after discharge. Many people complain that after their tonsillectomy, their doctor was pretty hard to get a hold of. The key to successful planning is self advocacy. Planning for tonsillectomy must begin weeks before surgery. Get support from your health care provider, your job, your family, your friends, and other tonsillectomy patients. We’ve built an amazing community of adults considering, anticipating and experiencing tonsillectomy recovery.
Tonsillectomy for me was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After a lifetime of chronic tonsillitis, strep throat, tonsil stones, and sleep apnea, a couple weeks of pain and anxiety were a small price to pay. Three years ago, when I finally made the decision, there wasn’t much support for patients considering a tonsillectomy or recovering from one. The internet was like an ugly landscape of random horror stories and snake oil salesmen with cures for tonsil stones, bad breath, and belly fat. I decided to create a one stop resource for adults considering or recovering from tonsillectomy.
Tonsillectomy Recovery Resources is a place you can research topics relating to tonsils and tonsillectomy. I’ve experienced and researched topics like tonsil stones, tonsillitis, strep throat, tonsillectomy methods, oral thrush, and tonsillectomy recovery time.
I learned a great deal about tonsillectomy as an adult. In particular, I learned that it would have been better to undergo the surgery as a child. Tonsillectomy recovery as an adult is much tougher. There are however numerous tonsillectomy recovery tips that can make the experience a little easier. Simple practices like drinking and drinking and drinking can have profound positive impact upon your tonsillectomy recovery.
Tonsillectomy recovery tips like chewing gum to alleviate referred ear pain are not obvious or intuitively logical, but can make all the difference when nothing else seems to help. I’ve collected, researched and shared many of these morsels of wisdom and published them all here in one place to help others.
Tonsillectomy recovery questions like yours may have already been asked and answered. Try searching the site using the Google search box at the right side of the page. Type in a term like, “tonsil stones, ” or, “tonsils,” and see what you find. Feel free to comment on most of the pages of the site. Open and active communication is what makes this community such a valuable resource for everyone considering tonsillectomy or in the middle of tonsillectomy recovery.
Relax and be yourself. Ask questions, share concerns, and offer support. It’s our community. Thank you for joining us!
-Greg Tooke
Greg Tooke, Author
If you don’t have one yet, buy a humidifier. You won’t regret it. The Honeywell Humidifier featured here is the one I own. It rocks! ~Greg
I’m 40 and will be getting mine out in a week and a half because of sleep apnea. Everyone, including doctors, have been surprised I didn’t have them out as a kid or teen because I was sick so much. My concern is about food intake. I’ll be going back to classes the Tuesday after (I’ve already missed enough), and need to keep nutrients coming in. Doc says “no Ensure” so I’m trying to find other options… my dad may try sending up a juicer he bought but hasn’t used. I have a humidifier… I can’t afford to get all the books and stuff on the shopping list about using the food processor. Any food ideas? Websites with food processor recipes for things I can have while recovering? What about those protein powders like at Trader Joe’s? Or are they in the same category as Ensure, with some sort of milk base? Is soy milk okay?
Thank you for this site… it’s been a huge help so far. I’m just still missing some dietary info…
I am a 40 yr old getting my tonsils out in less than a month. The anxiety I am having over this surgery is insane. Thank you for all of the wonderful information found here, al least I will be well prepared.
Knowledge is power! Good luck Kier!
So another question I have is….to talk or not to talk? What is everyone’s opinion? Is it more helpful in healing and less pain if I would just keep quiet? Just wondering how long I will have to be silent?
I think less talk is best.
I had my tonsils out on feb 20th. This is simply horrible.
I’m having my surgery on Feb 8 and at the age of 50 I never thought the words, “I’m having my tonsils removed,” would be coming out of my mouth. Dealing with tonsil stones, strep, assorted sore throats and fevers for years, I finally decided to go the ENT route. He took a look in at those awful, no purpose, in life things and recommended they come out, I am packed with tonsil stones. Ugh, so gross. Anyway, this site has become an invaluable resource and I will definitely be checking in and stocking up on many of the recommended recovery products. I’m also having my septum undeviated (yes, not a word, I made it up), while the tonsils get yanked. Guess I am a glutton for pain. Actually I’m scared, really scared.
Hello everyone! I’m a 35 year old having surgery in 4 days and I can’t wait to get it over with- I’ve been dealing with tonsil issues for decades so this is a long time coming.
My ENT actually recommended this website as a invaluable resource for my upcoming surgery because, as he admitted,”‘there’s nothing out there for adults facing this surgery” as he handed me a cartoonish pamphlet titled ‘What to expect during your child’s tonsillectomy’!
Thank you Greg for creating this site and to everyone for sharing their stories and tips. Best of luck to all!
It’s my pleasure to help, S! Best of luck to you!
Hi Amanda. Yes it is normal to not have a voice and can last a while. Really depends on the person I think.
I had this surgery in March 2012 and did pretty good from it. The first couple days weren’t too bad but after
that it was kinda rough for a couple weeks. Keep taking your meds on time and do what the dr tells you and
you will do fine. My voice was gone for a month or so and got it back about 3 weeks and it’s been gone ever
since but that’s because I’ve suffered with a chronic sinus infection and bronchitis since May. Having surgery
for that this Wednesday. Hope you feel better soon. Worse part of the whole surgery is the scabs coming off.
Eats lots of popsicles and make sure you ice your neck and throat area. I PROMISE YOU it helps so much.
Hi. I’m 30 years old and I had surgery two days ago. The recovery so far has been pretty hard for me but every day does get better. The only question I have is: Is it normal to not be able to talk normally? I sound like Kermit the frog. If that is normal, about how long does that last? Im hoping that I’ll be almost back to normal soon,.. This hasn’t been fun at all
Thank you for this website… i have read so many horror stories on the internet. Your website has made me feel so much better about this. I am having surgery next week… and i am going to get a humifdier tomorrow..
Thank you for the kind words Alyssa, and best of luck next week. Let us know how things go.
Its been 9 weeks since my surgery and I still have a sore throat and ear at times. My dr said I may have that and swelling in the back of my throat for a few months. All in all it’s made a HUGE difference in my life. I thought it was horrible at first I’ll admit but I feel like a whole new woman now thanks to getting those rotten things out of my body. Thanks for all the info from this site. It’s helped me out SO much!
I’m 19 years old and on day 4 of my tonsillectomy recovery. The resources on this site have been invaluable! Thank-you!!
Well thank YOU Alex, and best of luck in your recovery!