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
Hey everyone, I’m starting my first full day of recovery after my surgery yesterday, and I have one thing to tell you all: GET A HUMIDIFIER. I was indifferent about it before the opperation but my dad insisted on it, and I am so glad he did. Last night before bed I was already feeling the pain of a dry throat and I was beginning to get misserable. But I had set up my humidifier right next to my bed on a night stand and after managing 3 straight hours of sleep (which I thought was pretty nice) I woke up in much, much less pain. If you’re still in the early stages of recovery or you are about to undergo this surgery, please do yourself a favor and get one! The less pain in your throat means the more water you will want to drink and the faster you will recover. I’m so happy because I never expected to be feeling this little pain on day 2. We can do this!
So it looks like the scabs are coming off on the right side… less white and a little bleeding.. sitting here chewing ice…
If there’s bleeding let the ice sit as far back as you can for as long as you can stand it. It constricts the vessels. I was also told by my ENT to sit upright, and bring your activity level right down to zero. No leaning directly forward for a while either.
I had my tonsils out yesterday morning (1/7/2013) and have been doing okay. I have eaten applesauce, jello, and a couple of smoothies so far. Drinking lots of water and have been on a strict schedule for my pain meds! The only thing, other than the pain of course, is that I keep waking myself up by snoring or feeling like my airway is blocked completely. My uvula is really swollen. Anyone have any suggestions??
Mine did the same thing for quite a few days. My uvula was huge. I sucked ice before going to bed. Just a ton of crushed ice for a half hour. It brings down the swelling. Then you need to lay on your back sat pretty upright with pillows. if you’re on your back your uvula kinda goes down your throat then gets blown up over your nasal passage and blocks your airway when you breathe out. I got soooo frustrated, but it only lasted a couple days.
I was the same way. Im 21 days post op and around day 14 I traded out the wedge pillow for my regular pillow. I was sleeping propped up and on my side. I also made an ice bag collar (the hospital have me 2 ice bags when we left) and ate lots of ice before bed. Don’t forget to set your alarm so you can get your Meds round the clock. My pain Meds were liquid, so I ended up mixing with around a 1/4 cup of ensure. The pain Meds didn’t feel like acid going down, I got a little protein, and my stomach got a little something.
Hi I am on day seven of my tonsillectomy. Keep drinking cold water, (I have found relief with decaf iced green tea). Before my tonsillectomy I had a swollen uvula and I drank lots of ice water and pop sickles. I would also call your Dr. and report the swollen uvula, I was also put on prendnisone. Good Luck I hope this bit of information is helpful.
Welcome Heidi , Beware the moors and keep your seat in an upright position, it is a bumpy roller coaster ride , but one we all paid for (keep your pennies) , so enjoy , make merry, tell jokes, help out, and above all stay so focused you can cut diamonds like butter…cause this is your ride..make the most of it…
Did you save your pennies for Charon 🙂
The meds have not helped with my mood at all and now mother nature has decided to grace me with her presence so everyone should take cover now..lol…didnt take the lortab instead took pain pill and my tongue isnt swollen 🙂 i am sure i would be less cranky with some food in my system.. will make more of an effort to drink water..
Mine did the exact same thing. I had a cold the day up until my surgery, suffered through that and the depression, and hello period juuuust as I was beginning to feel human. I’m like . . . really, earth, really? Could ALWAYS be worse. Lets just remember that!
Yes, honey has he helped a lot. I’m now off the Lortab Elixir and taking ibuprofen and honey..tongue is now almost normal sized(still hurts–just not the screaming pain it was.)Remember surgery was on the 4th and now for dinner I had scrambled eggs and biscuits…hurt but was good….now gotta get rid of this miscue/spit crap 🙂 Good luck all…
I really hate the auto speller 🙂 mucus…