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.
Russ, congratulations! Hopefully this will turn out to be one of the best decisions you will have ever made! Having a tonsillectomy literally changed my life.
My best advice for recovery:
Fiber supplements and Colace, because the pain medication can cause a near-Elvis Presley moment;
Closely monitor your pain medication intake to not exceed the daily allowance of acetominophin;
Extra-Strength Tylenol worked better for me than the “good stuff”;
Vega One nutritional drink powder (vegetable protein, not whey) did not create a film in my throat and comes in several flavors. This and bubble tea powder kept me alive for two weeks;
Also, ice-cold green tea is very soothing to the throat;
And, be patient. One day, in about two full weeks, you will wake up and realize you feel so much better. Then go get a Dairy Queen blizzard.
Good luck!
I have been looking through this site on and off for 3 years…tomorrow if finally the big day. I am nervous as hell. Never had any anesthesia before but after years and years of low grade sore throats several times a year that will zap me of my energy and 3 strep throats in the last 10 months, tonsil stones, bad breath and a disgusting taste in my mouth I am finally having them out tomorrow. I plan to post on this site each day to help me with my recovery. Greg, before I go in to surgery I wanted to thank you for this web site. I have scoured the internet and this is by far the most helpful site. Its nice to know other people have gone through what I am about to go through. The decision to have them out is one I have struggled with for almost 20 years. I went to an ENT at age 17 after a bad case of strep that left my tonsils scared and shaped very peculiar…he told me I did not get enough sore throats and I left.
After going through college with frequent sore throats and strep an average of once a year I went back to an ENT at age 25 and and this guy couldnt wait to take my tonsils out, but I decided I didnt like this ENT so I turned down the procedure. Again at age 33 after some bad bouts of strep I went back to a highly recommended ENT for what I though was a final opinion. This guy said I was a candiate and I liked him, but I put it off and put it off and fast forward to 3 years later and several strep throats later and dozens of low grade sore throats later I am back at the Dr.’s with another case of strep throat. OK so I take my antibiotics, get better and then about 10 days after getting better I find that I am having a hard time using my hands, fine motor skills and my legs feel funny, like jello. My feet are not working and then I have hard time walking. After a trip to the ER I was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Guillan Bare Syndrom. Google it. Its rare and scary. Spent a week in the hospital recovering but I was actually very lucky. Some people take 6 months to recover and cant for weeks. This was it for me. My tonsills had caused to me develop GBS, however due to the fact that I was still recovering my neuroloigst and ENT both thought it prudent to wait a while. Flash forward 10 months to NOW! …and that is the short version.
I called my ENT back after my 3rd case of strep since last June and I felt it was time. They are getting me in tomorrow(MOnday) which is nice bc I had very little time to stress over this, but I am sooooo nervous. I had a private meeting with the anesthesiologist and he said he felt it was safe for me to undergo the procedure. Looking forward to tomorrow night.
Greg, when you talk about feeling guilty for doing this/selfish I went through that whole process. I spend the whole weekend hugging my kids and playing with them. All i want is to live out my life normal and healthy and watch my kids grown up.
I will post tomorrow. I’d appreciate any kids words for dad/husband who is very nervous.
Hello Russ. I’m sorry that I did not reply yesterday. I just read your post. You are probably in pre-op as I write this.
I hope you are relaxed and feeling confident about the amazing skills of today’s health care professionals as they perform one of the planet’s oldest surgeries.
You will be fine. Not just fine- after a painful recovery, you will be better. Better for your kids and those who depend on you.
I used to miss work and even kids events because I had strep or some other tonsil related illness. -not anymore. I sleep better and I feel better.
Thank you for the kind words about the site.I created it while in the middle of recovery because I could find NO good resource. If it has helped you, all the work was worth it.
Please check in after surgery. I won’t judge your drug-induced poor spelling. (At least YOU will have an excuse!)
Take care. Talk soon (DRINK, DRINK, DRINK!)
Got home around 1:30 today. I got your message on my phone just minutes before heading back to pre-op and cant tell you what it meant to me to know I wasnt alone in going through this. The nurses were so nice to me and gave me versad to call my nerves(3 doses). I was put to sleep with gas and it took about 15 to 20 seconds that I recall. I read it is usually takes less time.
I have plenty of meds and am going to try and take a nap now. Just ate mac and cheese and some mash potatoes.
I will continue to post daily and that is part of what my plan has been.
You made it! Welcome to life without tonsils! 🙂
Hello all
well I am back in work after my 2 weeks of recovery and I just wanted to share my experience for anyone out there worried about getting this done. For me, I had no pain and minimal discomfort (with Solpadol and Diafene each every 4/5 hours with 2 hours between them to spread it out some). A very mild tonsilitis would be close.
I took everyones advice and took my pain meds religiously and also drank water to beat the band.
But for me, the only thing I did differently to most people here was eat a normal food from the moment I was out of theatre. Toast after surgery, then gum throughout the night, toast and cornflakes the next morning, more gum… once I got home I was Eating (chewing) every 2 hours and when i wasnt eating I was chewing gum. Toast, cornfakes, sandwiches, pears in halves, anything that was for dinner.
And the recovery of my tonsils was unbelievable, my scabs were noticably thinner and moist by day 3 and started to come off painlessly day 4 onwards. I think this really made the difference in speeding up recovery and avoiding pain (throat and ear)
I am so glad I had this procedure done!
Thanks Greg for your website, I went in well prepared with all your tips and it really helped!
Thanks Twillix. Glad to hear that you are well.
Hi all
I am due to get my tonsils removed on monday but I have had a head cold for the last 11 days, its almost gone, I am hoping this wont delay my surgery, does anyone know if this would be an issue?
The nurse is due to call me tomorrow to confirm all is well, I am wondering if I should mention it…
PS I feel so ready for this surgery I would hate to have it delayed!
I’m going in for a tonsillectomy on Friday. Anyone have any advice for anxiety? I’m getting nervous. Also, my doctor said the humidifier won’t really help. Any thoughts?
Hi Susan. 1st, your doctor is wrong. Sorry, he/she is. A humidifier won’t help him, but it will help you. That ticks me off. Tell him to have a tonsillectomy some time.
Anxiety- yes. I had it. My trick is to use visualization. Mentally walk through the day of surgery, with as much detail as possible. It really helps. Also remember that the surgery is very safe. It’s been performed since the time of Plato.
I wish you well. Please explore the site for more tips.
Thanks Greg! I really appreciate your reply and all of the work you’ve put into this site. It helps knowing about other surgery experiences.