Tonsillectomy Recovery as Adult and Child 2019

Planning and Recovering From Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Let’s start with my own tonsillectomy recovery story. I wasn’t always this healthy. As a kid I ingested more penicillin than a corporate-raised chicken. I was in the doctor’s office several times each year with a sore throat. As the doctor or nurse peered into my mouth, the reaction was always the same: “Whoa, those are some big tonsils!” The diagnosis was usually tonsillitis, or strep throat. As the doctor wrote the prescription, he’d explain that years ago, tonsils like mine would have been removed, but, “these days,” we try to hang onto them. “These days,” were the 1970’s. I guess the tonsillectomy pendulum had swung back from the days when kids got their tonsils out because their brother was getting his out.

 

Aunt Kate’s reassurance helped, but I still wrote out some just-in-case instructions for my brother and hid them in my closet. I sheepishly told him where they were, just in case.

 

“This is temporary. You WILL feel better. Hang in there and stay hydrated!” -Greg Tooke

 

As an adult I continued to suffer from frequent bouts of tonsillitis. It seemed that I caught every bug that passed through my house or workplace. I guess those big ugly tonsils were a nice home for those nasties. It wasn’t until my 40’s that I also became aware that I suffered from something called, Obstructive Sleep Apnea -a condition in which a person stops breathing while asleep. I snored often and would awake abruptly, gulping in big breaths. I felt tired most days. After raising four babies, I had come to accept fatigue as a normal part of life! One day at a routine physical my doctor remarked about the number of episodes of strep throat and tonsillitis I’d had. We also talked about the sleep problems. While he didn’t formally diagnose obstructive sleep apnea, he suspected that I had it. He recommended a tonsillectomy, because of all the tonsil problems I’d had. As a bonus, I might find relief from the sleep apnea as well. If not, I’d undergo a sleep study. Forty four years old and father of four boys and a doctor finally said it: Those tonsils are doing you more harm than good! As much as I hated those tonsils, I was terrified at the thought of going under the knife. I started reading about tonsillectomy recovery on the internet and talking to friends. That didn’t help. “My cousin knew a guy who got a tonsillectomy and bled to death.” “At your age, tonsillectomy is dangerous.” When I met with the ear, nose and throat specialist, (an otolaryngologist), he told me that the risks are the same for an adult undergoing tonsillectomy surgery as for a child, but tonsillectomy recovery is longer and more painful. He was right about that!

Deciding to get a Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy Recovery Tips
Recovery tips for tonsillectomy patients and families

I scheduled the surgery for the day after Thanksgiving. A traditional day of feasting in the United States. If it was to be my last meal, I planned to make it a good one! As it turned out, I was so nervous and scared that I could hardly eat on that day. I was recently divorced and had shared placement of my four boys. So many people counted on me that I began to question my decision. What if I died on the table? How reckless to leave behind a family, simply to avoid frequent tonsillitis? My aunt, a registered nurse reassured me about how simple the surgery was, and how far anesthesiology had come. I had nothing to worry about. Aunt Kate’s reassurance helped, but I still wrote out some just-in-case instructions for my brother and hid them in my closet. I sheepishly told him where they were, just in case

“My tonsils were like a 400 pound gorilla on my back. I don’t miss them at all. Ever.” -from the forum ________________________________________________________________________________

I took a week off from work, asked my ex wife to take care of the boys that week, and asked my uncle to drive me to and from the hospital. (a requirement with anesthesia) That was about all the tonsillectomy recovery preparation I did. I was about to learn a lot!   Surgery went fine. I awoke in recovery with a serving of Jell-o in front of me. (“Jelly,” to my British friends) The nurse said that I had to finish it before I could check out. I swallowed it with great relish. It was divine! I called my uncle and we were out of there. I felt ok. I told him thanks and not to worry. I’d be fine. I believed this. Aside from a couple visits, I spent the next ten days alone in misery. The pain set in after about 24 hours. Streaming movies and television shows were my friends. Sleeping became my worst enemy. I’d wake up with my mouth dried out and my throat on fire. Oh my God. I was not prepared for this! I ran out of Popsicle’s on day three. I ran out of pain medicine on day five. The pain peaked on day seven. I broke down and cried in front of my brother on day eight- a combination of pain, drug induced depression, and sleep deprivation. Since then, I’ve read thousands of similar accounts on the tonsillectomy forum I created. It didn’t have to be so hard. If I’d known what I do now, I could have done so much to make my tonsillectomy recovery better. I hope to reach as many people as I can to help guide them through the tunnel. It has been my passion and taught me more about compassion and the amazing strength of the human spirit than any other life experience. When you shine a light for others, you also light your own path.

In the pages at follow, I’ll share tonsillectomy recovery tips with you that I learned from my tonsillectomy experience and years of coaching others through tonsillectomy and recovery.

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1,302 comments

  1. Im 47 years old, did tonsillitis operation before 20 days ago and still have pain in the place of operation, feeling tired, pain in legs and headache

  2. Day 8 and had the shock of my life this morning. Woke up with blood pouring out of my mouth which filled a bowl. I was advised to come into hospital once I got here I was told it was pretty normal but I had to wait and see ENT. Whilst waiting it starts again filling 6 bowls with blood. Finally see ENT to be told it is normal they think a capillary burst and clotted to sort itself out but I am being kept in for 24 hour observation. It was like something out of the exorcist. Can’t wait for this to be over and done with.

  3. Hi everyone , thanks for the posts which has helped me. I’m 29 and I’m almost through day 3. Can anyone help with the swollen uvula problem??

    My uvula looks like one out of a cartoon and it’s about 5 times it’s usual size. I’m drinking water with ice which helps , but I keep choking on it.

    It also makes it impossible to blow nose or cough!

    Was so so under prepared for this surgery!!

    Ed

    1. Just keep using cold compress and drink lots of cold water. The swelling will go down eventually. Try not to sneeze. I coughed but I tried to drink water ever time I felt the urge. You’ll be fine. Keeping drinking and swallowing no matter how bad it hurts.

  4. Hi all,

    I got my tonsillectomy robe two days ago. I did thorough research before hand so was it dpectong the pain. I have been diligently taking my pain meds on time which really helps with the pain. My ENT advised to start my normal diet on day two after surgery! He said the solid foods help scrape off the extra mucus that is stuck in the throat and decreases the chances of infection. I’ve stayed well hydrated and avoided all diary and sweet foods. Coconut milk ice lollies have been my favorite. I know it’s suppose to get a lot worse before it gets better and I am dreading that!! Especially when the scabs come off. How long does the foul breath last? Good luck to you all and I wish you a speedy recovery!

  5. I just got mine removed yesterday morning. I woke up from anesthesia gagging and snorting and choking trying to breath as i first came back from sleeping

    First day wasnt so bad, it was sore and tender and it was hard to swallow and drink water and eat even jello and fruit smoothie.

    That night it got pretty bad on terms of drinking. I woke up every hour from when i got home till now. Its almost 24 hours after now.

    Hopefully it gets better soon. I havnt puked yet thankfully

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