Tonsillectomy- female, 16, UK
Sorry about the detail but when I was having my operation I searched everywhere. Just remember everyone’s different and the pain does go away! So stay strong!
So from around the age of 10 I started getting frequent tonsillitis, at least three every year. I kept going to the doctors getting the same antibiotics, when it came to my GCSES I kept getting ill, so when I got them again I asked if I could be referred and I did. When I was seen they were massive at this point in time they never went back to “normal” so I straight away got made to book the operation and just had to wait. 
I had to arrive at the hospital for 7:30, waiting in an area called pre admissions.I was waiting for about 3hours and 45 minutes, then I was called to go upstairs. I changed into a gown and then onto a bed. I was wheeled into the an anesthetic room, the man told me he was going to give me some gas and air as I didn’t have strong veins and he would just put the cannula in once I was asleep to prevent as much pain as possible, the last thing I remember was laughing at my mam and then waking up alone in recovery! I went down at 11:15 and woke up about 12:30 the surgery took some time as the doctor said my tonsils were very large. When I woke up I felt groggy and confused. The pain was bad so the nurse gave me more pain killers and anti-sickness medicine, I was crying at this point. I was then moved up to the furthest end of the room and was asking for my mam, as I was 16 they allowed her to come into recovery room I was in recovery until 2:30 as the nurses decided where to take me ( they weren’t sure if I was going to children’s ward as I was still in full time education(a levels) or the adults ward, I went to the adults ward as there were no beds in children’s ward. At about 4 I was asked to try and eat. Because if I could eat and felt OK I could go home. I ate two mouthfuls of weetabix and had to lay down with nausea and sudden sweats, the nurses gave me more anti sickness medicine and pain killers then at 6 I got broccoli and cheese sauce and two hash browns. I managed to eat all of that so at 8 when the doctor came round again I was allowed to leave, at this point I felt great, I was able to get up and move about feeling fine. And the pain wasn’t bad. I was discharged at about 8:30 and arrived home at about 9:15. Once home I ate some custard and took my medicine, extra strength ibuprofen and paracetamol and went to bed.
Day 1 post op:
I woke up (7:30ish) Feeling sore but not too bad. I laid on the sofa took my medicine then managed to eat half a tin of soup and one slice of toast, the pain during the first day was manageable and barely noticeable towards the night. I also ate another slice of toast at lunch and for tea I had chips cheese and gravy. During the day I was regularly taking my pain killers. Went to bed around 11:00 feeling fine and only woke up twice for a drink and then went straight back to sleep
Day 2 post op:
Woke up in slight pain Had of toast and one scrambled egg for brunch. Pain throughout the day being manageable. for tea I ate broccoli and cheese sauce. Good nights sleep
Day 3 post op:
Woke up in the most pain I’d been in so far, took medicine, Ate soup and a slice of toast, Later that day I started to eat peaches and had to stop because they stung. Yoghurt caused nausea Struggled through pasta for tea. Rest of night ok
Day 4 post op:
Woke up in excruciating pain ate a few mouthfuls of weetabix, dough balls and a few mouthfuls of spaghetti. Pain being a 6/10 throughout the day
Day 5 post op:
Very bad day, barely any sleep, couldn’t eat without feeling nauseous, so didn’t. Pain medicine did not seem to be making a difference. Went to a&e, got antibiotics for an infection, codine tablets, liquid paracetomal and some anti-sickness tablets.
Day 6 post op:
woke up during night needing more meds, steady day. Manageable pain. Ate one weetabix, small bit of pasta and half a tin of leek and potato soup and bread.
Day 7 post op:
Woke up after a full sleep. Felt little pain, ate weetabix, crisp sandwich
Day 8 post op:
Christmas Day! I managed to eat my dinner, just a smaller portion. Starting to feel better, still laid around, Resting. As it was Christmas for the next few days I laid around and relaxed, as you would do anyways, so I would say around 10 days post op I was feeling better and well enough to go out. However I would suggest staying of work/school for 2 weeks if possible so you don’t get an infection. Any questions please ask 🙂