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.
Stacy- have you been laying flat while you sleep? I ended up not having an outpatient procedure because I also have sleep apnea so my surgeon wanted me to stay overnight for monitoring. I was lucky to have some greet nurses who have me great tips for getting through all of this. Stay sitting up sleeping, everything. As much as possible. This will help keep the swelling down and the pain down since the swelling is down. I haven’t laid flat since I was in the OR and it’s helped a lot. Also- put ice packs on your neck, this will also help. If your pain medication isn’t working, talk with your doctor about something else. I was really lucky to have a great doctor who talked with me before about what pain meds work better for me so I was able to get something that works well for me. Something I learned today was to stay on too of my meds- even when I think I’m doing great and don’t need my meds, take them on schedule anyway- because it is going to suck when they wear off. I’m right at the same point as you- so feel free to email me if you need to vent or anything. Hayleyh36@yahoo.com
Hello my name is Stacy and I had a tonsillectomy 2/6/14 so it’s been 3 days now I must say this is the worse pain ever lol. I been in bed the whole 3 days and I don’t think I can move I go back and forth to the bathroom but that’s it , my throat is swollen my tounge feels extra big where I can no longer close my mouth , ears hurt , headaches like craz . If I had to rate this surgery I’ll give it a 8 the pain is no joke , I have 2 kids and the pain having them is not as bad smh . As the days go by the pain gets worse , they did say I get worse before I get better lol so true . Well good luck everyone and get well soon I’m praying I do .
Glad I stumbled onto this! I met with my ENT today and am having surgery on Friday! Stocking up on everything right now…
Hi There Hayley! Best of luck to you. Don’t forget the humidifier!!!
Hi All, this website has been a godsend, I am going into get my tonsils removed on the 17th Feb (eep!)
I was wondering though, is there a need to avoid pain medication or alcohol consumption on the run up to surgery day? My ENT didn’t mention it as yet but I would think either could have a blood thinning result?
Hi Twillix! You’d have to ask your doctor about the pain medicines. I know that, in addition to thinning blood, alcohol dehydrates. You don’t want any of that. I’d lay off for a couple days prior. Best of luck. Please keep us posted.
I am 55 years old. Had my tonsilectomy on November 14, 2013. Had 3 major bleed outs resulting in a loss of 2-3 units of blood, 2 separate visits to the hospital and one emergency surgery. It is now January 30, 2014 and I still have the most awful taste in my mouth! I feel like I have a nasty penny in my mouth all the time. When I’m eating I have the worst metallic taste and cannot enjoy anything I eat unless it is extremely spicy. How long before this goes away? What is causing this nasty taste over 2 months post op? What can I do or need to do to make this go away?