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 on day 2 post-op, and so far, it’s not too bad..there are some unbearable moments, but I’m dealing with it. I’m a 40 year old male, been putting this off for a while now..but my biggest concern is I just now got a look at my throat for the first time, and I’m SHOCKED! it looks like he went really deep, and took out a LOT of tissue..will those holes ever fill in? how far back do the tonsils go? I’m worried about this. any help would be appreciated.
Don’t worry, new tissue will form over the operation site when the scabs start falling off and the tonsil pits will look a lot less deep. I was also shocked at how deep the holes looked after my tonsillectomy but it’s now been just over 3 weeks since my operation and I’d say the new tissue has made them about half as deep as they were to begin with.
The holes really do fill in I had mine done in June. I can’t believe how much my throat has changed at first there was a huge hole and everything got stuck there then it started to fill in and now it’s like new. I have noticed though that the dangley thing in the middle haha can’t remember it’s name I have ME as well so bad memory. But that was weak to begin with when I breathed in it barely moved and seemed like my whole throat was smaller but now it’s beginning to come back. So yes it will fill in 🙂
Good luck with recovery it’s worth it in the end
HI ALL
It’s been a little while but I thought I should touch base.
Had my tonsils out on 18the June 2012. I still have a furry kind of feeling at the back of my throat/tongue. Everything is still tasting weird like water has a bitter kind of taste. I had the operation to get rid of tonsils stones as I was having about 10 a day!
Does anyone one else have any after effects?
Also when I wake I have some gunk to spit out which I though would stop after this hey-ho.
Hope everyone else is recovering well and feeling well. Those who read my posts will know what a nightmare I had during the recovery including two separate hospital stays. Hope you’re okay BETH if you read this
I’ve had chronic cryptic and sever tonsillitis with tonsil stones for as long as I can remember. So this will be my 3rd scheduled tonsillectomy. Once at 17 my Dr. Canceled b/c I had strep throat during my scheduled surgery, one time in college i put off a job and my Dr decided to book his vacation during my scheduled surgery (yes his scheduler unabashedly told me this)’ and now my surgeon is telling me he’s rescheduling me for a month later no explanation…that’s great but I already have planned time off from work.. I’ve already had strep twice and tonsillitis 4 times this year. I’m thinking of trying to weedle
the time at work but I’m nervous
about this Dr now he said at 27 I was young and only needed 5 days to recover…my job is all talking, and he never went over the type of procedure he uses…any one have any thoughts?
Just had them out on Sept. 7 and I am 56 years old. It has not been as bad as I anticipated. Lots of ice water!
I had my tonsils out yesterday. I, too, have to speak for my job (psychotherapist) and have arranged 12 days off work including 2 weekends. Most of my clients know about my surgery (and are very empathetic). I’m sure they would be understanding if I need to reschedule them. I think my doctor did a coblation tonsillectomy which is where they burn the tissue to close it.
Best to you with your surgery!
Brenda, yes to most of your questions. The weird feeling does go away. During week 3 & 4 my throat would feel like it had been scratched from certain foods. I thought that I would be stuck with that feeling for the rest of my life. Thank god it slowly went away.Careful with the foods. My Dr. said soft foods for the first 3-4 weeks. After having that scratching feeling, I understand why he said to be careful.The holes do fill in. It’s not that much different if you had a deep cut on your knee and then the scab came off early. It would take awhile for the cut to close and heal. Good luck!
Hi all,
I am 10 days post-op tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Was curious how everyone is doing transitioning back into solid foods? I’m able to eat more solid soft foods like fish, pasta, eggs, etc. but it’s not going smoothly. Does the incredibly awkward feeling of food getting stuck in the tonsil bed holes go away? Do the holes fill in eventually? It’s even weird drinking water. Also, how is everyone’s stomachs handling the transition? It seems each time I eat something other than applesauce or Popsicles my stomach throws a fit to the point that it hurts to move. Is this normal?