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
What a great resource this website is! I wish I knew of this website before I had the procedure. I had my tonsillectomy 9 days ago. Similar to most people responding, the first post op day following the procedure wasn’t so bad, slightly painful, but not so bad. Had mushed steamed fish, soft veggies, water, jelly, ice cubes throughout the day, small portions of course. Making sure I sipped water between each few mouthfuls. In hindsight think it was so manageable the first day because I was still on the IV. Upon being admitted home I was feeling okay still until the IV and anaesthetic started to wear off. The doctor prescribed me Panadene Forte which helped me the first few nights. After which the Panadene Forte began to affect my heart beat, making me uncomfortable, short of breath and unable to sleep (it also made me constipated as there’s Codiene it it). Upon which I’ve now transferred to taking Panadol. Sooo much better! It’s day 9 now and so far my diet has consisted of jelly, ice water, ice, cold mash potato, diluted apple juice, purated and slightly watered down chicken and corn soup (I usually mix this with the mash to make the mash soften and easier to digest), and sometimes if I think I can handle it i’ll have a slice of light rye bread with butter and manuka honey (no crusts). At the moment the pain comes and goes. It’s less than the earlier post op days but occasionally when I wake up I have a lot of pain, and since yesterday I’ve been getting ear aches. These are quite painful so I’m making sure I take my pain mediation before they wear off. From what I’ve read its usally days 7-11 in which the scabs begin to fall off and so, there’s more pain during this time. As much as I make faces and get emotional about the pain I try and remind myself that if millions of others can survive a tonsillectomy then so can I. There’s life after and that’s all I’m holding out for. I also haven’t been using a humidifer but after reading several others comments saying how helpful it is to their recovery I’m considering purchasing one.
Is there anyone in Australia who can recommend a good Humidifer? Does it need to be cold mist or otherwise?
I didn’t feel like buying a new one, and we had a warm mist one used with vicks for colds. I just used it without vicks. It’s the moisture you need in the air to keep your nasal passages/throat moist, so the temp doesn’t really matter. Warm mist worked wonders for me. I started using it after my bleeds, and I never had another.
just noticed something very annoying. When I sit in a recliner chair (which was suggested by this website cause it prevents the throat from drying when you are asleep) I get a drip down my throat and causes me to cough! I do not know what it is. feels like saliva, or some kinda of natural fluid. I then cough and spit out any loose saliva in my mouth. It happens every 20 minutes when I am sitting on an angel. when I sit straight up it doesn’t do that. I haven’t tried laying down yet. Has anyone had that problem. If so what did you do to solve it. Also what are some suggested ways to sit while relaxing around. Or ways to sleep? Had my surgery this morning. 25 years old
Only way I could sleep or sit comfortably was on my side!
I have the same reaction! Agreed. Side sleeping has helped me.
You make a TON of mucus and saliva after this surgery. Your body thinks there’s an infection and it’s trying to push all the bacteria away from the wounds so it’s basically trying to flush everything out of you via the mucus and saliva. It’s awful. I had a cough, a runny nose, post nasal drip. I was like . . . “cuz the ripped up throat wasn’t enough.”
Had my Tonsillectomy this morning and took out adenoids as well. I am starving but obviously can’t what. what do suggest for high calorie, but still no acidic or dairy. I was thinking those NAKED smoothie drinks, but is there too much sugar in that?
PS I am a 25 year old male. They prescribed me to liquid Percocet and I am afraid to take it on an empty stomach as well. right now I feel okay. It’s sore as all hell, but it’s not killing me yet.. I am waiting for tomorrow for that. Any tips or tricks PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
My surgery was a week and a half ago. I tried the naked juice and my own homemade smoothies but they burned going down. For the first few days I relied on refrigerated apple sauce for calories and would eat one before I took the medicine. I’m 23. I was prescribed liquid oxycodone and it made me nauseous for the first couple of days but luckily I never threw up. Also, if they prescribed you anti-emetics I would definitely take those. I wasn’t prescribed any but had some left over. Take it easy today and tomorrow even though the pain isn’t that bad. It WILL get worse!! Good luck!
I ate a bunch of avocado. It’s HIGH in calories, but it is considered a “super food” it has the good fats in it that lower bad cholesterol and raise the good cholesterol, so it will fill you up while being a really healthy food. If you get it when it is ripe you can mash it right up and mix it in with whatever you’re eating.
I don’t know about high calorie, but cream of chicken soup worked well for me and some other people on here. It’s actually all I ate the first 2 days when I actually made myself eat and wasn’t passed out. The only downside with this soup is the actual chicken. Although it’s good to help make sure your able to chew and whatnot, I personally had difficulty even moving my mouth much for a few days. So if you have the same problem with chewing and have a pet, you can do what I did: I gave all the chicken pieces to my dog. He loved my not being able to eat it.
Hi Jake, drink ensure clear. Chicken broth and on day 4 or so! Small amounts of peanut butter with a lot of water….you need protein…also Dentine ice gum helps a lot….mine were phloem on the 4th….you will make it 🙂 .
Pulled on the 4th 🙂 .
Hi guys, I’m a 25 year old Australian girl, and had my tonsils removed Monday 14 Jan. As my first ever time under an anaesthetic I was extremely nervous beforehand, I have to say however, this was the least of my problems! I woke up feeling great, and my pain level was extremely bearable. This did change quite quickly however, as I reacted the the narcotic based painkiller Endone, and was vomiting within 12 hours of my operation. After going a night without pain relief I had to take action as the pain and the rawness of my throat was unbearable.
Most doctors and anaesthetists are hesitant to recommend any post operative meds that could potentially increase chance of bleeding, however, the only meds I am seeking relief from are ibuprofen and codeine. I have been taking these tablets consistently since and alternating with paracetamol/codeine (panadeine forte) also.
I agree with most people on this forum that the pain is unexpected and you will not always receive the support you expect from your surgeon as they have most likely not experienced what you are going through.
My main tips would be to ensure you have a backup plan straight up if your pain relief is not working. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! Also I have been living on ice blocks and ice cubes, especially when waking up during the night and first thing in the morning to ingest painkillers it is a lifesaver to numb the throat before doing this.
I have been keeping as normal a diet as possible to assist the healing process and remove as much of the scab and tissue as possible. Steer clear of anything acidic though such as tomato or beet root, as I find this really burns!
I wish everyone the best with their recovery – we will get there and you are not alone!!
I am a Trinidadian. I had both my tonsils removed on the 20th December,2012. It was a same day surgical procedure that lasted forty minutes and cost a fortune but thankfully the pain and discomfort was reduced drastically due to the use of the doctor’s prescribed medication “Enhancin” and “Cataflam” .By day seven pain was minimal, voice and eating was normal. I did not experience any bleeding as I rested and followed the doctor’s advice.I ate jello, mashed potatoes and porridge, also drank a lot of fluids and protein drinks.
Day 10 post op, and I’m feeling great! It took till around day 7 or 8 until I really started to feel like I was recovering, but since then I’ve had very little troubles with anything. I still take a pain med before bed to help me sleep and one when I wake up because the dry throat is still a problem. The worst thing now seems to be that every morning when i first swallow, the scabs in my throat crack slightly and it becomes very, very sensitive. Even drinking cold water stings. I have a humidifier going all night right next to my bed but I don’t think there’s any avoiding the dryness in the morning (especially in these winter months). Also, I’m still having some trouble eating most things. I’m taking my time to thoroughly chew all my food and I still cringe a bit eating things like eggs. Fruit juices burn horribly if there are any cracks in my scabs so I’m still avoiding those all together. I’m hoping by the 2 week mark I’ll be back to my normal eating habits.
For anyone who is still in their first week or if your surgery is coming up soon, just know that a week is all it really takes! Drink lots of fluids, use your ice packs and humidifier, and do your best to find short term pain remedies for the week. I promise if you lay low and don’t stress yourself or your wounds for the whole week, you’ll start to feel great in no time 🙂 You can do this!