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.
Hi,
I’m on day 8 after my tonsillectomy, I can’t sleep, I ate last night for the first time and now I’m paying for it. I’m in so much pain. I now have a blood patch on my right tonsil. My painkillers don’t seem to work anymore either. What I find works is chewing chewing-gum sometimes! I’m not sure whether to go to the doctor or not.
Laura I’m also on day 8 with s blood patch where my right tonsil was. I’m alsonin severe pain. Hang in there. I keeo reading we have to wait until at least day 10 but we are on day 8. It will all be over soon! Over half way! 🙂
Hi Laura and Pasha. It has been a year since I had my tonsils taken out and had coblation done to my lingual tonsils. You are both over halfway there and it can only start getting better now and not any worse. Stay positive : ) I remember thinking I would never feel better and time passed so so slow but now I have never looked back. I had posted on here and reading others experiences and having support made the journey a bit more clearer in what may come. Everyone has different recoveries which is shown through the posts. I wish you both all the best in a speedy recovery now yous are on day 8 : )
I’m 59 and the pain must increase exponentially with each additional year of age! This has been so miserable . I’m on day 7 and the pain has greatly increased, likely due to scabbing and the development of thrush. I appreciate everyone’s advice and tips. I guess misery loves company. ?
I’m a 25 year old male and I just underwent a tonsillectomy. I am currently on day 8 of recovery and let me tell you this has been the most painful surgery I have ever had. All the pain meds I was prescribed only seemed to subdue the pain for about 30 min incriments I was on percacet a pain mouth gargle and lidocaine suckers and nothing seemed to help I could not escape the pain I had not slept in 6 days or eaten or drank anything in 7 days because it was far too painful but today on day 8 I discovered something that changed the game my aunt suggested using clove oil in a little water to gargle with and numb my throat and let me tell you it 100 percent saved my life within a few minutes of gargling a few times I was able to eat soup and drink and entire glass of ice water I was jumping for joy so I 100 % recommend going out and getting you some if your going through what I have been going through.
I’m going on day 7 now after my tonsillectomy. And it is by far the worst recovery from a procedure I’ve had. Including an all natural labor and child birth. I think what makes it so unbearable is that the pain is constant. I’ve been given Tylenol with Codeine and it doesn’t even touch the pain. I take Ibuprofen half way between the Tylenol/Codeine doses. I’ve slept maybe 3-4 hours a day in the last week and its for one hour increments if that. I’m afraid to sleep because waking up is the absolute worst pain of it all. And the ear pain is just now starting, but most of the pain is on the back of my tongue and into my jaw. Although now it feels like I’m swallowing shards of hot glass. Day 5 I was finally able to eat more than one bite of something. And it was jello. The pain is too much to eat anything else. And for the first 5 days my taste buds were wonky, everything was so salty that I couldn’t stand eating at all, even Popsicle’s. And ice cream is a big mistake. Needless to say, I’d rather suffer through the tonsillitis every few months than go through this.
Hi Sarah- sorry you’re having such a rough time. I did too. I’m very glad I had it done though. I hardly ever get sick now and I sleep much better- no snoring!. Try to remember that how you feel now is not how you’ll always feel. Things will get better soon. Hang in there. I’m pulling for you!!!
It s 7 days after my tonsilectomy surgery.
My opinion is don’t do this surgery if really don’t required.
It’s very very bad and very painful treatment post of surgery.
Patient can’t eat and drunk well.
I had my tonsils out nearly weeks ago and am fully recovered.
I was referred to ENT as I had a large abscess on my right tonsil and also suffered from regular tonsillitis.
I had read lots of horror stories online about people being in lots of pain, and their throats bleeding etc…. However I can say the recovery was not as bad as I thought.
I had my tonsils out and stayed over night at hospital. During the night I had regular pain relief and morphine.
When I went home I kept on top of the pain relief taking paracetamol and ibruprofen every two hours, I was also given a throat spray and cocodamol. However I stopped taking the cocodamol on day three as it made me very constipated.
The key is to keep eating and drinking. Water, jelly, Ice cream… This was uncomfortable but stopped my throat from drying out.
After 10 days I felt almost back to normal.
If you keep on top of the pain and keep drinking water, you will be fine!