Tonsillectomy Recovery Time
After a lifetime of tonsillitis, it was time. I made the appointment. Was I scared? Yes. Was I prepared for tonsillectomy recovery? NO. Can you be? YES!
Planning for and recovering from a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedure, (often referred to as T & A Surgery), can be daunting experiences. The days leading up to your surgery can be frightening. If you haven’t read up yet, you can find information on tonsillectomy methods, risks, costs, adult tonsillectomy, sleep apnea, and numerous tips for tonsillectomy recovery on the other pages of this site. I’ve even added pictures of a post tonsillectomy throat by each day. Study, talk with your doctor and consult with your friends about the decision to undergo tonsillectomy and adenoid surgery. Explore the pages created here to aid in your journey.
If you should decide to have tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, let us help you through the entire process. Whether due to problems with sleep apnea, chronic tonsillitis and strep throat, tonsil stones, trouble swallowing, or a combination thereof, you can benefit from the experience of others. My own experience taught me that, as patients, we need to advocate for ourselves. Ear, nose, and throat doctors are, by and large, extremely talented individuals. However, very few of them have experienced an adult tonsillectomy, and the subsequent recovery. I have. Many others have too. We share our experiences here at the adult tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy recovery resource center. As you’ll read in the tonsillectomy recovery forum, everyone’s experience is unique. There are many factors that influence the level of pain you experience, as well as the length of time required during recovery. The method, and skill of your surgeon can have an affect, but there are also many things within your control that will reduce pain and recovery time. I’ve tried to include as many helpful tips as possible within the pages of this online resource. Tonsillectomy recovery can be pretty rough, especially if you are unlucky enough to be an adult! It takes longer for an adult to recover from most things. Tonsillectomy is no exception. There are many things you can do to make it go more smoothly. I’ve published numerous tips here on various pages. I encourage you to read up BEFORE you are in the throws of tonsillectomy recovery.
Talk with your doctor, friends, family, and work as you prepare. You are not alone in this. Like you and like me, many others are facing or have faced a tonsillectomy recovery. I created this forum for you. The community of adults or parents of patients will amaze you and warm your heart. I read these comments every day and every day I am humbled by everyone’s story and their compassion for others in the midst of recovery, or the anxiety that often precedes a tonsillectomy. Please join in. Hundreds of other people, perhaps in your same situation, have shared their wisdom, concerns, tips, and questions about tonsillectomy, as well as their tonsillectomy recovery.
-Greg My short bio
I’m 31,female with more than 20 years of tonsils problems. I had to take antibiotics at least 4 times a year, in the last 3 years, more than 6.
I had surgery on 1st of October in private clinic. All went well, doctor told me that they had to cut a lot (?) but I didn’t care. I was thinking that all my problems were gone. Wrong.
Day 1, the pain was bearable, I ate almost normally.
Day 2, still in hospital, things started to get worse.
Day 3 they let me go home, warned me to be very careful, so I knew I will have to stay in bed long, while in horrible pain. But I didn’t imagine that the pain will be so horrible that I won’t be able to eat, drink and sleep for so long.
Day 5 I was thinking that pain cannot get any worse. It did. My teeth started hurting.
Day 6 was so bad I even couldn’t drink my milkshake mixed with painkillers. They were not even helping anymore. My uvula was so swollen, I had to sleep in recovery position.
Day 7 and 8, can’t remember a thing. I was too tired and dehydrated, even noise from TV was making me more ill. I felt like I had a rotten animal in my mouth and will be sick most of the time. Have no idea how I survived these 2 days.
Day 9, my mum brought me very strong painkiller. Said, take it on every 12h. Yeah right. Was taking it on every 6th hour. I lost 7kg in meantime. It was the first time when I managed to eat a bowl of soup.
Day 10, finally I managed to eat. Cold soup, but its something. This painkiller was helping me to drink water and eat. Without it, pain would come back and be even worse, followed by headache and earache.
Days 11 to 14, was eating liquid food, started feeling like I’m getting better and won’t die.
I was taking the painkiller every day until day 20.
I didn’t want the pain to come back.
Now is day 30 after surgery. Still haven’t recovered properly, but Im ok now. Im going back to normal with food and daily routine. I do get tired quickly, but im taking it easy now. My throat still looks like it can bleed any time, but Im careful what I eat. Mostly soft food, with 2 glasses of water on every meal.
Tip from me, make sure you take painkillers since day one.
Hi
I had a tonsillectomy ten weeks ago. It was a tricky operation as my tonsils had been “quincified” – spent a week in a French holiday whilst in France with Quincy! The worst experience of my life! Anyway tonsillectomy done! Recovery was rough! Got chip stuck in wound – ouch!! Anyway we are now ten weeks on and my throat is scratchy and I keep urging randomly – seems to be when throat is dry but not always! Any advice pleas?)
I’m on day 8 of my tonsillectomy and I just woke up in a lot of pain. I drank some water and took my Percocet asap. My doctor prescribed 1-1 1.5 every 4-6 hrs but it wears off exactly 4 hrs for me. On day 2 my tongue was so swollen I couldn’t swallow and was having a hard time breathing. I went to the hospital were I was given morphine and steriods. Which helped but not right away. I find there’s no happy median. My mouth is either too dry or too much saliva. So far the things I’m able to eat are green jello, sherbet, (my two favs) broth vanilla pudding and farina. Cold and room temp water hurts but I still drink it. The ear pain are the absolute worst. I’ve been using a ice pack and it helps a lot. Definitely been staying calm and resting when I can. Get a humidifier. Well waiting to see what else is store for mmdm
Cold custard
Day 2. Worst pain I can recall in my life. Doctor refuses to change script because of opioid crisis. I wish I would have not had surgery. Percocet 5’s are like M&Ms.
I’m on day 6. The doctor prescribed Norco, which has Hydrocodone in it, but it doesn’t help with the pain at all! It only makes me sleepy, so opioids don’t really work either. I just ate raw honey and it seemed to make a difference, it took some of the pain away. I hope this helps.