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
Wow, Deide,I had no idea green tea was considered a blood thinner. I guess I’ll shelve that box from now until surgery. Thanks for that info!
I’m 49. I had mine out yesterday. Two hours after I got home, it was obvious I was bleeding. I kept having to sallow, I vomited blood, looked like a murder scene. They readmitted me and put me back under and put in more stitches. I’m on hydro condone. It doesn’t seem to help at all! but the miracle mouthwash is a big help! It numbs it enough so that I can get some liquids down. They told me to set the alarm so I don’t miss a dose of the pain meds. Not to get “behind” the pain. My daughter had hers out at 20, she said she started eating food at four days, but it was too early…caused her to bleed somewhat, nothing major, but felt it slowed her recovery. Does any one else have stitches?
Deide, I couldn’t find this comment thread anywhere to reply to so I replied in response to another of your posts on the general Recovery Forum. Looking at this now I see that this thread is in the My Recovery forum. At any rate I did reply but just to a different thread of yours.
My surgery is a Tues and my husband will take Tues-Fri off. Thank you for asking if I’d have help. Thsts so kind of you. 🙂 He and my son will hopefully help me in whatever way they can. They’re used to me doing all the cooking, shopping, etc (my fault) and neither knows how to cook. As long as I can get help with basics, I’ll get by. 🙂
I’m glad your pain has been somewhat manageable (compared to some others’ accounts) and that you’ve found a balance of pain meds that are working for you. That’s so important. I hope your recovery continues to go by without any surprises. 🙂
This site has been a Godsend for both physical and mental preparation! I just wish my surgery wasn’t 10 days away. 🙁 Seems like forever.
Please let me know how you’re doing. Hope you have a good night. Hug. 🙂
I just had an intracapsular tonsillectomy yesterday and so far it has been minimal pain. I have been able to eat eggs and soup and mashed potatoes. I am very pleased so far with my outcome. I am only on day 2 but I would recommend this procedure over the traditional tonsillectomy. It really only hurts a little when I swallow. Good luck everyone and I will keep trying to post.
Beth, another thing to take in to consideration is herb teas. I don’t know if you drink tea or not but green tea is considered a blood thinner. Thank god I googled herbs before surgery because I drink green tea daily. I gave up spices, herb tea and everything else that could possibly interfere with bleeding 2 weeks before my surgery.
Just one more thing to think about as you prepare…
I agree. I think the combo worked well for me. I really think the ibuprofen helped keep the swelling down which kept my pain level to a minimum. I also iced my neck as much as I could for the first 4 days. I’m starting to ween my self off of the pain meds today. I’m taking less every 6 hours instead of a larger dose every 4 hours.
So far my experience has been great for the first 4 days. I will keep you posted when I hit the 10 day mark. Hopefully I won’t see any blood before my post op.
Beth, I know how tough the wait is leading up to your surgery date. You will do fine if you’re prepared, and I know you will be thanks to this incredible website.
If you have any other questions, ask away. Do you have someone to help you after surgery?
Deide, that’s really good to hear! I think it serms sensible to decrease swelling and provide extra pain relief. (For others, it may be one of those things you have to decide on your own as it seems like no two doctors give the same answer.)