Tonsillectomy and beyond…
In 2008, at the age of 44, I underwent tonsillectomy surgery. As I struggled to prepare for the surgery and recover from it, I was frustrated by the lack of quality content available on the internet for tonsillectomy patients. I was also frustrated by the general public’s assumptions about adult tonsillectomy surgery, and the lack of compassion from my health care providers. I was ill-prepared and struggled through recovery with minimal support. For this reason, I created a website to provide information to adults considering or recovering from tonsillectomy. It was called, “My Big Fat Tonsillectomy.” I later added a forum where other patients could share their experiences, questions, pain, and compassion.
Since then I’ve learned a great deal about tonsillectomy, and also about web design and search engine optimization. After reading thousands and thousands of posts to the forum, I have amassed a fortune in knowledge and insight into the experience of adult tonsillectomy. I’ve learned even more about the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.
This new site is intended to be a place where people considering or recovering from tonsillectomy can arm themselves with information and become their own best advocates. But it’s also a community. Every page allows comments and questions. The tonsillectomy forum is pure, free form venting, asking, crying, sharing, and mingling.
I read every single comment left on the site. (over 20,000 so far!) Responding to each one has become increasing difficult. My goal is to respond to EVERY comment on THIS page.
Keeping the site going is a labor of love to be sure. In addition to time, it does cost money. If you’d like to help keep the site going for others, please consider making a donation of any amount.
Thank you!
Greg Tooke
Author, advocate, webmaster
My Profile
I am currently on day 10 after my tonsillectomy… I am still in a lot of pain but its bearable…i still have trouble swallowing, and still cant eat eggs, little pieces get stuck in my throat. The Ear pain is not that bad, cotton wool helps a little. Also, I tried eating toast and it was the most painful thing ever. I still live on ice cream, jelly and custard…Cold stuff actually hurts my throat more…its actually easier to swallow the warm stuff. I tried coke, my doc says it helps with the scabs to come off easier…Its a bit painful, because of the gas but it really helps…i also make rooibos tea with honey and milk and its amazing…it gives my throat some comfort, not painful at all…
Hope in the next few days my throat will heal fast, tired of this now…need to have proper food and not look like i am anorexic… ?
Try powdered potatos. Feels like meal without roughage. I have lost 8 lbs so far. I love flavor of foods so my husband and daughter get wonton soup, cheesecake, sweet potato pie filling ( my favorite) … Soups warm, not hot and everything else cold.
Hi, I’m Annie. 10 years old. I know, I’m young. It’s been a week sense my surgery, and I don’t want to fall asleep. Because when I do, I wake up two hours later. And I have REALLY BAD ear pains. So I start crying. I’m emotionally unstable. This sucks, and I wish I could go back in time to before the surgery.. And tell myself to go forward in time to pass this all. But, sadly I can’t do that. :”(
Worst. Time. Of. My. Life.
Hi Annie- Sorry you’re having a tough time. Have you tried sleeping in a more upright position? Like in a recliner? That helped me. Also, running a humidifier seemed to help. Hang in there. Remember: This is temporary. You’ll feel much better soon!
Heating pad helps ears. I had a little pain the past 2 days. I think the swelling finally went down. Hope that helps
You
Me?
I tried leaving my expierence but this site cut me off or i accedently pressed post? This site is a little confusing and less directive when it comes to wantimg to ” post a comment “. I started with, ” when I got to the hospital in Calgary half of the staff were very kind and the other half well you know “.
Thanks..
Hmmm- looking into this. Sorry
I don’t see that bit of comment anywhere else on the site. Can you paste a link to the page in question?
Hi Greg,
Thanks very much for all the great information I found here specially the images of what the scabs look like. I was concerned when I saw those white things at the back of my throat.
I am 65 and had the op on the 1 April.
What I would like to know is if anyone has felt the same as I do at present 19 days after my operation.
The scabs have gone and I thought last week I was well over it and started my exercise routine again. I normally walk 5km on the beach.
But this week I have just crashed. I couldn’t even drag myself down to the beach and try to walk. By the afternoon my body said that’s enough and I had to take a nap. It also feels as though my body is fighting the flu but I don’t have flu.
Has anyone else felt the same .
I would also like to add that I managed the pain well using an anti-inflammatory mouth spray. It worked wonders specially at night I would keep water next to my bed. Have a sip each time I awoke and then sprayed the back of the throat. I also kept tiny blocks of pure juice I had made into ice blocks and they came in handy in the middle of the night.
I also ate normally from the day after the op and I had hoped that would keep my strength up but I cant understand the sudden crash this week.
Hi Yvonne! Thanks for posting. I’m glad that you’ve found the site helpful.
It’s been too long for me to remember day 19 (8 years ago! I barely remember breakfast- ha ha) But I do know that it took me a good long time to feel normal. The surgery, lack of sleep, poorer nutrition, pain meds…all take a toll. I’d say give yourself a little time and listen to your body.- But I am not a doctor. If it continues, maybe run it by your doctor.
Anyone else have thoughts….?