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
Since yesterday I have had the most disgusting taste in my mouth. No amount of brushing and gargaling or listerine has made it go away. Is this normal??? It is driving me crazy. I think i am going to find a hard candy to suck on because the gum is not working..
Thank you. I will definitely try the ear plugs and I did start icing more and it sure does help. As for the taste in your mouth the nurses warned me about ”tonsil breath” and said no amount of brushing can help. It is normal and is part of the healing process going on back there with your scabs and I think hard candies will help.
Ricola dual action throat lozenge-cherry ….numbs and gives you something better to taste. Not perfect, but it works for a while.
I am so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. Day three and four were really hard for me too. Have to tried ice packs on your throat? I did 30min on 30off for both those days and it help me get thru it. I also used ear plugs in my ears..the noise and cold made the pain worse. Good luck and know that we have been there.
I woke up this morning in excruciating pain. It is day three of my recovery and so much worse than yesterday. I have been getting food down and staying hydrated. I missed my middle of the night dose of liquid Vicodin and woke up crying in pain. I’m having an issue with alot of blood being spit up and my stomach is in alot of pain from the Vicodin. As well as having terrible ear aches, today I am struggling to breathe and swallow. After reading many posts, I have gathered that tomorrow will be even worse? Please someone advise me on how to minimize this pain. Any tips aside from water, ice, and medicine? I have hardly slept since the surgery. All I would like to do is rest, my eyes hurt so bad from staying awake.
Unfortunately , no I cannot help you through day 4 much. It is a bad day for most. Try not to eat anything but broth , sleep is whenever you can, and drink the water that feels like glass . Ice is good. Everyone goes through day four. None like it. Find a bad joke and cling to it. You will make it, you just won’t like it. Read through the day 4 posts and you will notice the times. No one sleeps much. Mine were pulled on the 4th . We are all here with you on the other side. Bad joke movie reference : ” Bring me a shrubbery! “
Ok another day almost gone…another side note…asked my wife to bring me chai tea and a mcdouble from mcdonalds…she brought me white castle burgers and frappechinos…I could probably have eaten the mcdouble as you just pull the onions and pickles off…..don’t eat white castle…you won’t like it 🙂 — burnt like fire and the fraps milk mucus actually emulsified it into place. Ran for water…just another trial and ERROR that you guys can laugh and learn from…did drink a beer though 🙂
A must know for all tonsillectomy patients. I just discovered the great benefit of the old fashioned Horehound Candy. I am on day 9 and my throat and mouth are itchy and burn anytime I chew gum or suck on a cough drop. The Horehound Candy is not loaded with menthol or acid. It is made from the horehound herb and is loaded with lots of vitamins. I am so thankful I remembered I had these candies sent from heaven in the house.
The good thing is I have not had any soda and frankly do not miss it very much.. I do notice that my tastebuds are out of wack and nothing taste good..best diet ever lol…. God I miss food
Lol in six days I’ve lost 7 pounds…phenomenal diet…..