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
Had my op 6 weeks ago, still a little pain sometimes but overall not too bad! Only problem is, when I yawn it feels like my throat is really swollen and feels like I’m swallowing my tongue! Is this normal??
I had my tonsils out on March 1st – I reviewed this site several times. I’m in the forties – hate to admit it. And like many have said, while I read the horror stories I had a typical recovery. It was the most painful in day 3-6. After day 9 things were manageable and I am a big salsa and west coast swing dancer, I was back dancing! It is true that on day 6 and 7 I was concerned I wasn’t healing fast enough but I guess it just takes patience. I still miss my big “yawn” capacity. I did most everything suggested here, and I am grateful for finding this resource. May you all do fine and meditate away the pain.
I had my tonsillectomy march 7th and active tonsillitis at surgery. At first I thought it wasn’t too bad but by day 3 I was in agony, my painkillers weren’t enough and had two hot water bottled strapped to my face. I fully recommend even overnight you keep on top of painkillers or you spend the entire next day trying to catch up. I had to be looked after for the first week and really wasn’t well. Most likely because my body was recovering and fighting an infection. I didn’t get antibiotics but as it was viral it wouldn’t have helped anyway. I went back to work after 3 weeks, but I am still tiring very easily. Did anyone else get this?
I was able to eat normally after 3 weeks. Unfortunately they struggled to get my small tonsils out (they were surprised to see tonsillitis) and bruised my tongue at the base so I couldn’t manoeuvre food or fluids for a while. I didn’t meet to strict criteria here in the uk for tonsillectomy but the constant tonsiloths and painkillers were it good for my job (nurse) so it was decided to remove them. I still don’t feel the 100% benefits yet but I’m still recovering.
The first 3-7 days are difficult but as soon as the scabs start lifting it gets much better. I just remembering it being horrible when I needed to yawn.. Oh ouch! It still hurts a bit (more my tongue) but you will get through it!,
I’m going for my medical clearance tomorrow and pre op appt on Monday. A friend recommended lots of cepacol lozenges. 13 days. AHHHH
Hi All,
I had my tonsils removed yesterday am. I have been keeping up on my pain med every 4 hours, running a cool mist humidifier 24/7 next to me, tons of ice water, jello and popsicles. I am doing fantastic. I went in ready for the worst and I have to say that my pain is a sore throat at most. I really think you have to have your mind in a good place prior to this surgery and do not baby yourself. Force water down and tell yourself it will be over soon. But so far so good the only thing that I’ll complain about is the nasty taste in my throat but thats just the beauty of the surgery. I hope I keep on this path of recovery:) Thank you to this site for helping me prepare.
Good luck to everyone else recovering or about to have this done. I hope it goes as smooth for you as it has been for me. Fingers crossed!
Hello. Are you still feeling as great as you did the day after your surgery? I felt great the first two days too but now I am on day 5- and i am in AGONY. +(I can hardly swallow. I dont know what to do with myself. Please help =(
On your meds does it say take one but not more than 2? I was worried about the drug so stuck w one..my dr said take 2 and issued second perscription. Id call your dr and check the dose. Also at preop I told my dr that vicodine does not affect me…they gave me oxycodone..it is very painful and even w meds there is pain but it should not be so intense. Also chewing gum may be stiff at first but will coat the mouth and help w the ear pain.
Hope you feel relief soon!
Forgot to say that I also took the following supplements… 2 x Vitamin C 500 mg tablets every day. I x Glutamine (Immune Recovery assistance), 1 x Lysine Tablets (Amino Acid and Immune System Support). 1 x Ginkgo Biloba (3000 mg) for assisting blood circulation and therefore tissue repair.
Eat lots of protein, (Chicken, Eggs, and Bread for scratching the throat and keeping those scabs small, so when they do come off, it’s less painful and less likely you will bleed uncontrollably!
I am not being unsympathetic to anyone with serious pain, I am just a firm believer it’s about management and mind set. If you tell yourself you cant eat this, or drink that…. you simply won’t. It’s a self fulfilling prophecy otherwise and ultimately you need to control your body, not the other way around. be sympathetic to it’s needs, listen to it and care for it but do what is best for it and not just because it’s easier to do, drink and eat nothing and lay down. You’ll regret it and the pain will drag on and last much, much longer!
See my other post for this one to make sense. 🙂 Best of luck people.