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 speechless, literally and figuratively on how much pain a tonsillectomy for an adult is. My Dr told me “I am not going to sugar coat this…you will go through hell for a few weeks”. My advice for anyone about to do this is to prepare before hand. Get your pain meds, stock up on ice, food such as jello/jelly and soup. Try to take meds on time. For the first few days you will likely have a swollen tongue and uvula. For these early days it may be easier if you sleep upright in a recliner or sofa as sleeping horizontally will make you feel as if you are choking on your tongue and uvula. Take it day by day. This is a good website read everything. All the best to you.
I’m 25 years old and I am on day 10. I have finished my antibiotics and I haven’t taken pain meds in over 24 hours. My throat constantly feels dry no matter how much water I am drinking. The tightness in my jaw is still there, but not as bad. As far as eating goes, applesauce and eggs have been about the only foods that don’t cause me excruciating pain. I just tried a banana and that burned slightly. Drinking water has become easier, but I can’t wait until I can eat and talk without pain. It is still a struggle to talk. I just want this to be over!! They say 14 day recovery, but at this point I feel like it could take longer 🙁
I am on day 10 now too. It still hurts to talk more than 30 min (I am at work now). Drinking is easier, I agree. my scabs bled a little today and I had to tell my coworkers Okay I just have to stop now. I ate an ice-cream, ice, and milk smoothie for breakfast. For lunch I had 3 applesauces in those pouches (very cold) and 1 cup of very cold soy milk. For dinner I had some very soft fish, the middle of a roll and watermelon. I am losing weight but that is okay. I know it will take more like 2 weeks or more to get fully back.
Hang in there! My jaw pain and stiffness went away around week 3 along with the mouth dryness. It continually gets better and better and before you know it you’re back to normal!
Hi Everyone. I’m a 35 year old male who had his tonsils removed the usual way in Canada yesterday. The pain on a scale of 1-10 has only really been a 3-4. I have a humidifier, drinking I’ve water regularly, sucking cepacol and managed a Muscle Milk today. Took a look down my throat and was quite shocked. My pictures look a lot worse than any I’ve seen online. My uvula is pretty much as big as the whole space in my mouth and rests on my tongue. Looks like a really gross butterfly in shape. I know I’ve got some phlegm and I’m desperate to cough it up. Did cough some up in recovery but the doctor said avoid coughing as much as possible. I’m not looking forward to the pain getting worse. I am looking forward to loosing weight. But judging by the size of my holes, I’m hoping that my pain isn’t going to reflect how big they are, as the holes go really deep. Probably as deep and big as a Ping Pong ball cut in half. I’m going to try and keep you all posted on my progress. I desperately wanted to read a positive account online and here’s hoping mine will be just that. But I’m at the beginning of my journey so it could go either way at this stage. Oh, I’m also taking 2 x 30 mg of T3s every 4 hours. I don’t have a problem swallowing pills and get them down pretty easily. I tried ice packs but the weight and coldness hurt me more than any pain I had so gave up on that. May need it later though – who knows. Anyway, that’s my ramble over with for now. Wish me luck! PS. With the T3s I have been on another planet at times. This is the most mental clarity I’ve had since the operation yesterday. I’m sleeping/resting with my eyes shut for more than 50% of the day. Now back to doing just that as I’ve reached my concentration limit. Think positive peeps. Short term pain for long term gain. It’s got to be with it in the end. Trust the doctors!
So it’s Saturday and I had my op on Wednesday and I’m actually feeling fine. I slept for three x four hour intervals throughout the night and at one point didn’t feel any pain or discomfort swallowing. I managed to have some soup and jello and apart from what feels like a minor sore throat it’s a million times better than what I was expecting. My scabs are still in place so maybe it’s the calm before the storm. I have had some pain, especially in that first 10 minutes after waking up, but nothing unbearable or agonizing. I’ve been taking it really easy, humidifier still on, laying down mostly, not talking at all, and drinking loads. The whole area is very tender and I certainly wouldn’t attempt to eat anything solid. But my soup was tepid and I actually think the saltiness probably helped a bit. The best purchase I made was a double lined beaker for my iced water. Sometimes the ice stays in the water for up to four hours, which is great for middle of the night sips, every time I rolled over without fail. The other thing I’ve been doing is forcing myself to swallow properly since the start. My doc said it’s good for the muscles and helps keep everything lubricated. I have two swallows, a gentle one, and when I feel brave enough, a full on hard swallow to push everything down. I could do both an hour ago and it had been 5 hours since I had taken a T3. Didn’t want to push it anymore than that but will try and see how I feel again later in a hope that I can go every 5 hours and not 3-4. I hope this semi good news story gives some of you a different perspective on things. I looked everywhere for an account like mine and was convinced it was because they didn’t exist. But thankfully, I’m here to say, it’s only been 4 days and I feel little to no pain and I’m in good spirit. I also didn’t have that colbolation technique either (although I did really want it). I’ll keep you all posted in case things change when the scabs begin to fall off. But looking forward to being able to continue my good news story with you all and having a speedy recovery!
Me again. It’s now day 10 and oh my god what a nightmare. It really was the calm before the storm. I so wanted to be one of those people who had a fairly okay experience but quite the opposite. Pain started to peak at days 5-7 to the point where I was in so much pain at times my eyes would water and I couldn’t move, speak or drink. The worst was waking up after any legnth of sleep. However, my biggest issue was bleeding. I ended up in the ER twice. With no warming, I felt a pop, and hot thick blood started gushing out of the wound. It was possibly the most scared I’ve ever been. I had to have chemical cauterization because thankfully the bleeding stopped. That was the worst experience of my life so far. The pain was off the scale and I almost passed out. The day after having it done I had another big bleed. That was nearly 48 hours ago now so I hope I’m out of the woods. The doc said if I keep having problems I’ll have to go under again and be re-cauterize under general. She said that will set my recovery back to day 1. I can’t even begin to imagine having to go through this again so fingers crossed it doesn’t happen. I still have lots of scabs but I’m off the pain meds. It’s now like having a really bad sore throat so lozenges and regular Tylenol does the trick. Still limited on food. Was brave enough to eat soggy cereal today which was a major breakthrough. I don’t want to push it though for fear of bleeding. I’m hoping that things get progressively better now. Especially as I start to eat more and sleep through the night. All I can say is that I’m so glad to have arrived at day 10. It’s been a traumatic experience and one I don’t think anyone should have to go through. With modern technology, why can’t they do this in a way that prevents all the pain and suffering, which to me just seems barbaric. I would have rather they kept me under sedation for 10 days because this whole experience has been horrific 🙁
I just had a tonsillectomy 7 days ago. One medication I did not see listed here was CHLORASEPTIC throat spray. my doctor said it was fine to use. It really helped me take my meds, etc. I would just spray a few spritzes into the back of my throat to help deaden the pain and then take the meds right afterwards. It was not painless, but it really, really helped when I thought the pain was unbearable. I have gone through an entire small bottle (I think 1 oz) already and am on my second one. Worth every penny when you’re hurting and need to stay hydrated and can barely take another sip of water.
Bree, Can I ask, how old you are? I am 47 and would love to have mine removed. I have sleep apnea but know that i will not use the CPAP machine. I feel like I can’t breathe when I am carrying on a conversation at times due to the small passage of my throat. I have already had strep throat twice this year. I am nervous about having the procedure but know that I will feel much better when its done. Thanks 🙂