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
Today is day 12 for me, and it was probably my first completely pain free day, Eben when I had a sneezing fit. The only thing that bothers me is yawning. I also noticed that there is a lot more tissue left on one side and my uvula is pretty “uneven”. I guess that’s common, though. I have my first post-op appointment on Tuesday and was going to ask about it then.
I had a related question, though. How long after surgery did it take for your energy to completely come back? Im a runner and I have a big race in 2 weeks. I started running again 2 days ago, and it doesn’t bother my throat at all but I feel SO tired and weak still. I’m worried I’m not going to be ready for my race whichsucks because I’ve been training for it for months 🙁
Mary, I’m so glad for you that you’re pain free and at day 12 no less! I can’t even imagine that as I’m on day 11 and still have pain pretty much all day long – though certainly less than in the beginning, So I find that pretty amazing that at day 12 you have none! 🙂
My uvula is a little uneven too and I know Becky had mentioned the same thing. I don’t think there’s anything to be done about it but it will be interesting to see what your doctor says.
As far as energy, I feel like I am back to my normal every day energy. I am not a runner, but I work out vigorously (elipticals, jogging/walking on treadmill, weight training, etc) and I have not attempted any of that yet. I have gone for walks every day (going longer and faster more recently) and feel my energy getting better and better.
Healing requires and enormous amount of energy from the body and I think to be able to run with your normal energy this soon, is simply not something your body is going to cooperate on.:-( Being tired is your body’s way of telling you to slow down. I’d listen to it. You’ve probably read a lot of others’ posts and it seems very common to have a lot of fatigue even 3 or 4 weeks out just going about your normal routine, returning back to work, etc.
I know it would be a big disappointment to not run if you’ve been training for it (must be a long race if you’ve had to train for months – half marathon??) But your healing is more important and being gentle with your body during recovery. I’m not trying to lecture at all but I think it’s just so important to listen to your body. 🙂
I don’t know how old you are but I’m 45 and can’t imagine getting back into my normal workout routine for another week or two at least. My doctor was firm about no strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks as well. What has your doctor told you?
Hi Beth,
thanks so much for your reply. Honestly, I never thought about the fact that your body uses a lot of energy in the healing process. I couldn’t really understand why if I’m not on medication anymore, and if my throat doesn’t hurt anymore, why I would still be so exhausted. But that makes a lot of sense. I’m just used to being VERY active, so it’s killng me to lay around and take it easy. But you’re right that I should be listening to my body and the clues its trying to give me. The race is 10 miles. Ive been training wit a great group of people and was really looking forward to running with them, but if I’m not up to it I guess I will just have to cheer them on from the sidelines 🙂
My discharge papers said no activity until my post-op appointment, but I obviously ignored that since my appointmnent isn’t until Tuesday. In fact, I ignored most of my doctors instructions. I’m a pretty terrible patient – Lol.
Oh, and I’m 33. Ive been putting off this surgery for at least 10 years so I’m so glad that its finally done and over with. I’m sorry to hear you’re still having some residual pain but it sounds like you’re improving every day and I bet you’ll be pain-free before you know it!
The custard is amazing…eating my second one now! The first batch he forgot to add vanilla and he forgot to put water in the pan. I was pretty upset because I was starving so he started all over again. Secodn time worked like a charm!
I just had my second dose of pain meds for the day and I think I may go take a nap after this.
i’m a tonsillectomy nerd at a soccer game checking in on my peeps. love you guys!! take care.
We love you too Greg! I just got back from my son’s soccer game. Hope the weather is as nice for you as it was for us! 🙂
Holly, the weight will come off by day 10. You’re only on day 3! I ended up losing 9lbs in 10 days. I needed to lose 5 and happy with 9 which I’ve kept off. Glad things are getting a little better for you with each passing day.
Has anyone had a funny feeling on the tonsil about a month after surgery? I feel like something is there like a blister. It has gotten better though but I was a bit freaked out. I just hope it’s not permanent.
Deide, can you actually see anything? Is it stinging or something?
No Beth, I can’t see anything different where my tonsil was. I think I may have scratched it with a corn chip or something. It is feeling much better, but for a few days I thought it wasn’t healing properly.
Day 3! I was getting real scared when I saw I could not post today! Thats for hooking us up Greg! My husband Blake has pulled his head out of his you know what and is up making me Becky’s custard as I type this. I woke up at 4 am to find that I had been asleep for 4 hours with my mouth open. I chugged the ice water and was in extreme pain. I am just now starting to get the pain back under control. I have a headache today and I feel pretty weak and hot one minute and freezing the next so I need to get the custard in me pronto. Im sipping warm tea and drinking water.
Beth…I can’t beleive you are on day 11 already! You have been my inspiration. I say wait until Wed to go back. Maybe do some household work Mon and Tues that you have been wanting to do. Like organize things or somehting? That’s my plan while I am off. I am mad I have not really lost any weight…I hogged down the week before surgery and got up tp 140 so now I am 136. Normall I am 135. Figures!
Holly, interestingly I only lost about 2 lbs. I think because I was forcing down high calorie Ensures and drinking 2 Slimfasts a day (when the Ensure just seemed too thick) that I never really lost a lot. I am not a big eater anyway so maybe that was part of it. Don’t worry about losing weight…..just being healthy and getting healing nutrients into your body. 🙂
Glad hubby is back online and doing good by you!! I would never have been able to get my husband to make Becky’s custard so that is saying something and I hope when he’s done with it you’ll love it!
Holly, you are too kind to me….I have been inspired myself by the people on here and their honest discussion about going through all this. Yes, I’m glad it’s day 11. I am not pain free but now only take Tylenol or Advil a few times a day. My energy is back and I am pretty much doing everything I normally would be. I think I may take your advice and stay out until my expected return on Wednesday. My sister told me the same thing.
Holly, I really hope that you’re ready to go back when you need to but, promise us, if you’re NOT that you will stand up for yourself and tell your boss you need a few extra days? You’ve read enough on this forum to know that for some, not all, but some, days 5-9 or so can be pretty rough (they were the worst of it for me). I am so hoping that you will not encounter that but if you do, give yourself the time you need and the rest. The work will be there when you get back. 🙂 And if your boss is not understanding, perhaps your doctor could draft a note to be emailed or PDF’d to your boss letting him know you are still healing, In the scope of life, this healing time is very short and your boss will handle you being out a few extra days if need be. 🙂
Let us know how your husband did with the custard 😉 and I hope you’re having a good weekend. 🙂