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
Good luck! Share your experience with us! I am having it done on June 7th. I am expecting the worst but hoping for the best!
Tomorrow is my big day! 10am EST these bad boys are coming out. Thanks for everyone who has shared stories. At the beginning I was horrified and not so much now. I’ve got my recovery kit all ready. I will keep everyone posted of my progress. 🙂
I’m a 24 year old on Day 5 post-surgery, today wasn’t so bad, but there seems to be a normal pattern that has developed. I would take the pain meds, which would give me about an hour to eat soft food without pain. Then after about 45 minutes to an hour, I would have to sit down because the meds would make me extremely tired. I would fall asleep almost instantly, and would occasionally wake up but would have great difficulty staying conscious. After about 2.5 hours, the pain meds would wear off and the pain would return. Most of the pain would result from swallowing, though I do occasionally get pains in my ear.
Last night was a scary experience, however. I was prescribed anti-nausea pills by my ENT, and while taking one last night it must have knicked a blood vessel or something, I started throwing up bright red blood. Had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital, where they had to perform surgery to cauterize the knicked vessel. The doctor who performed the surgery said this shouldn’t delay my recovery, but the nurse checking me out said I’m probably back to square one. I sure hope she is mistaken. Had the WORST stomach pains after swallowing so much blood, was having a difficult time breathing. (I also had a septoplasty done at the same time, but that hasn’t really given me any difficulties except for crusting).
I just want to say, in terms of after care…chloraseptic, or Vick’s 44 throat spray, is a GOD SEND!!!
When the scabs come off and the wounds are exposed and RAW…you will not regret having it.
Trust me!!!
I had my tonsillectomy last March at the age of 34, which had me very nervous. My tonsils were very big and the older I got the more problems I was having with them especially as my allergies/sinuses flared up. But I just wanted to let everyone know that my recovery was “standard” according to most accounts on this website and knowing how I feel now I would do it all over again. I have had absolutely no throat infections/swelling/hurting since I had my tonsils removed. So good luck to everyone considering or about to have their tonsils removed.