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 a sufferer with panic attacks anyway and I am on my 7th day after op, I am so worried, my uvula is still swollen and my tongue at the back is bruised and slightly still swollen, I am in so much pain. Will I ever feel my mouth is normal again? very depressed and keep crying.
its only been a few days since i got my tonsils removed, i was having problems with tonsils stones. however i am not in much pain but my throat is so swollen i hardly can keep or get anything down any suggestions?
Try Ice cream after placing an ice pack for 30 on your throat. I had the cirgury on the 9, and my recover has not been smooth. If you feel that you are going to be sick, talk to your doctor and get Gravol or something to avoid nausea. Trust me, you do not want to be sick.
It’s been a little over a year now since my coblation tonsillectomy and life has never been better. I like to stop back to this site occasionally to share my positive, fairly pain-free story. I contribute my good recovery to the coblation method, I would highly suggest finding a doctor that does that method. I only took pain meds for the first couple of days, and didn’t have too much pain overall. I just slept a lot and took it easy. Popsicles and Jello were my favorite. I took 1 week off work and that’s all I needed. Life after the tonsillectomy has been great. I have more energy and rarely ever get sick now, and if I do get sick it’s much more mild than before. My doctor said my tonsils didn’t look that bad but given all the information I was telling him about getting sick so often and that my tonsils would swell and bleed, he agreed to take them out. Upon taking them out he realized they were terrible inside, they were kind of deceiving from the outside. Trust yourself and your body, if you think you need them out you probably do. Research the coblation method and hopefully you’ll have a positive story like mine! I would happily do it all over again if I had to.
Welcome back Allison! Thanks for sharing your good news. So glad you’re doing well. Take care and stay in touch! -Greg
I’m only on day 3 and I’m already in a lot of pain, I’ve been eating scratchy foods like toast and cereal a lot to try and get used to the pain and it’s actually making eating much easier! I’ve stuck with cold iced water as I feel other drinks make my mouth full with saliva (which I’m sometimes reluctant to swallow). My tonsillectomy was apparently a struggle as it usually takes 1-2 minutes to remove 1 tonsil, it took 15 minutes to remove 1 of mine as they were very large and badly infected so I’m expecting a very rough recovery. I’m finding this page very helpful as I’m not too sure on what to expect sight wise so the photos are a big help thank you!
I am 48 years old and on day 12 now. I have lost a week in a painkiller haze! For me, once I had gone through the too much pain to drink, eat, sleep (days 4-8) it was actually warm black tea that was easier to swallow than anything cold. I am still taking it easy and resting during the day and beginning to eat a little more. Take it slowly, try not to overdo it and you will feel better soon!