Tonsillectomy Adult – What to Expect
Tonsillectomy as an adult is quite different than tonsillectomy for children. The methods employed for tonsillectomy in adults and children are generally the same, (See Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy Methods page), and the risks for adults are similar to the risks for children, (See The Tonsillectomy Risks
Tonsillectomy – Adult Recovery and Risks
Most studies indicate a two to four percent risk of delayed hemorrhage [severe bleeding]. Where tonsillectomy in adults differs most from tonsillectomy in children is in the recovery. Recovery from childhood tonsillectomy generally takes five to seven days. Recovery from tonsillectomy in adults usually requires at least ten days and more often two weeks.
Before deciding to get an adult tonsillectomy, it’s important to choose a time frame in which you have the time and the support. Recovering over your favorite Holiday might be a good choice in terms of time, (eg holiday leave from work or school), but it may not be a time that people will be available to help you.
The pain associated with adult tonsillectomy recovery, by almost all accounts, is more intense than that experienced by children. Some theorize that children haven’t had as much time without pain as adults and thus their frame of reference is different than adult tonsillectomy patients. Others assume that children may be less able to articulate their discomfort. Having read the accounts of THOUSANDS of adult tonsillectomies in the forum,(See Tonsillectomy Forum page), I can say with some confidence that generally, the younger the patient, the easier the tonsillectomy recovery. There are of course exceptions. I’ve read from many middle aged adults who had a fairly smooth recovery. Perhaps they read up on this website and prepared well. Perhaps they had good genes. In any case, many time an adult tonsillectomy recovery is better than the horror stories we hear about.
“If I could recommend one item to buy before tonsillectomy, it would be a humidifier. My readers know how important moist air is to a healing throat. I bought one of these years ago and still use it daily” -Greg
I’d like to take a moment here to make a suggestion. As you read through the people’s accounts in the various chat rooms, message boards, and adult tonsillectomy forums, consider this: People having a harder time, may be more prone to seek out information and share their experience in these venues. Adults experiencing milder tonsillectomy recoveries, might be less apt to be posting. I don’t want to drag Richard Nixon into my website, but this silent majority may be quietly recovering and you’ll never hear from them.
My advice is to research as much as you can, talk with your doctor, talk with your family and friends, and talk with your employer before scheduling your adult tonsillectomy. I wish you all the best.
I’ve put together a collection of items that I think would be helpful, if not essential, to making tonsillectomy recovery a little more pleasant. Check out the Tonsillectomy General Store.
I am currently on day 7 and I must admit this is the most pain I have experienced since waking up from the operation itself. It is my ears and inner throat that are most painful. it comes in waves. I am sleeping lots but it is not a good quality sleep and I am experiencing vivid dreams/nightmares. I agree that ice helps although today even breathing seems to hurt my throat. I am hoping to feel better soon. Good luck xxx
my 20 year old daughter had a tonsillectomy and her adenoids removed this morning. She is complaining about numbness in her lower arms. I am thinking it may be swelling pushing on some nerves?
Debbie
I commented when I first had my tonsillectomy 9 months ago. Please Help!! I am still having the same pain, in the same place and it feels like my tonsils were never removed. It is horrible. What causes this? Is there a remedy? I know this is not normal. Any help would be appreciated. My throat is still swollen, sore, so sore, hurts so bad to swallow, etc.
Hi Lori- Welcome back! I’m so sorry that you’re having a rough time. You’re right- that’s not, “normal.” It could simply be that you have a virus or bug. It is also possible that some of the tissue grew back. I would make an appointment with my ENT. Best of luck to you
Follow up from Day 4: OMG, days 5 and 6 have been so much worse that the first 4. My anti-nausea patch wore off and I started throwing up everything I injested…including water. The pain hurt too bad to eat, but I had to eat to not get sick. My parents were supposed to leave town today, which they eventually did, but had a hard time leaving a crying and puking mess (that mess was me). I called the resident on call at the hospital and he called in three more patches and zofran. It took a while to get everything working together, but finally I’ve eaten a jello (ok, husband force fed me jello) and took 15 ml of Lortab. I’m too scare to go to 30 because of possible nausea. My pain is currently at a two and I need to make up some serious hydration that I’d lost. I also lost a taste for everything, except jello. But jello for another 8 days?
New lesson I’ve learned…take pain meds on time no matter what! Once you get to feeling all the pain, everything else hurts, like jaw, ears, gums, teeth, tongue, uvula, etc. I’m still using ice packs around my jaws, neck and ears. One I got at target and has a Velcro strap. I put that one on first, then wedge the others in the strap.
Good luck to everyone!
I’m on Day 6 of recovery. I too heard horror stories and was prepared for the worst. It really has not been that bad. I recommend everyone make sure your doctor is using COBLATION. It appears by most accounts to be a less painful procedure with much faster recovery time. Don’t know why any doctor would perform anything else!!!
Thanks Dennis- I do hear these from many patients. The medical research I’ve found doesn’t seem to support a big difference when comparing methods, but you may well be right. Take care!