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
Today I had was what was suppose to be my return to work follow up appt…. everything went well, it was the first time I have ben able to talk to my ENT since the operation, accept for a couple words right after I woke up that I dont even really remember…. He confirmed what I had known all along, my tonsils were “nasty” and “needed to come out.” He said they were very deeply rooted, which is why they looked fine from the outside, but actually were very large and infected on the inside. Not to discredit my ENT, he is a very good surgeon, but this is the same guy that initially tried to talk me out of it, and only after recounting my horrible story about dealing with tonsil stones did he agree to take them out. So to say the least I am more than relieved that it wasnt some crazy paranoia which if you have ever dealt with tonsil stones you know what i am talking about. I was scheduled to return to work tomorrow for the next week, and then have my scheduled 2 weeks off with one week of vacation, until the doc said he didnt feel comfortable sending me back, and gave me the week off =))) next month off =)))) He said my throat looked right were it should, and was REALLY surprised that i was not in any pain, and had actually stopped taking ANY pain meds yesterday. He commented on how deeply rooted they were and was more than pleased with the healing that has already taken place, but said I am still in the window for bleeding to occur, which is why he didnt feel comfortable sending me back to work. After a whole month off I will be more than healed. This has been a good experience, not nearly as bad as I was prepared for. I think another key element in all of this is peoples perspective. Whether you are a mother and has felt to pain of child birth, or you are someone who has endured broken bones or traumatic experiences, this would all be put into that perspective, the perspective of my own is one that has endured 3 years service in the airborne infantry, seems like a lifetime ago, but still, given that perspective, this was a cake walk.
My husband was marine corps infantry. He can not understand why our daughter has had a rough time with this recovery. She is a competitive dancer though. Once I showed her how little “extra” time she had to recover before summer workshops, she bucked up and started to try a little harder. Perspective.
Wait so how many days did you end up needing to take off work? I am only planning on taking off 7 business days. I think I remember you saying you have an active job though. I just sit at a desk all day, talk about boring 😉
My daughter (almost 13) had the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy last Wednesday. Today was the first day I really heard her speak since the surgery. Honestly, today I finally figured out I would be able to keep her alive through all of this. She finally drank more fluids today without being forced and she tried eating some soft foods today. As she went to bed, she told me her scabs felt funny. After thinking on it for awhile, she decided it wasn’t her throat after all, but maybe just some referred ear pain. Her breath has improved today as well. Is there anything that makes that nasty taste go away any sooner? She eats and drinks, but then she belches and the taste comes flooding back and she gets sick. Very sensitive gag reflex on this kid.
Hi. I had the operation on Wednesday 19th. In a bit of pain, but taking CoCodamol 30mg/500mg – more uncomfortable than painful really. I am interested in whether the pain will get worse (currently it is only when I swallow) or when scabs develop. I am in the UK where it is recommended to eat rough foods like crisps, cornflakes and toast. I have been doing this plus apples, cucumber and raw carrots.. Does anyone have any thoughts as to whether this is worse or better than the traditional ice-cream and jelly diet?
I should have added that sleeping is not a problem, but that could be down to the pain medications which make you drowsy.
How is your pain now? Living in the US I’m prone to think soft foods would be better but who knows. You could try things like soup, mashed potatos, eggs etc.
I just had surgery wed the 19th. I’m in lots of pain and can’t eat anything but popsicles and broth. Can’t sleep either
Oh yeah, and I wanted to thank Greg for taking the time and effort to put together this websight and the facebook page, made my recovery that much easier, thanks.