Planning and Recovering From Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Let’s start with my own tonsillectomy recovery story. I wasn’t always this healthy. As a kid I ingested more penicillin than a corporate-raised chicken. I was in the doctor’s office several times each year with a sore throat. As the doctor or nurse peered into my mouth, the reaction was always the same: “Whoa, those are some big tonsils!” The diagnosis was usually tonsillitis, or strep throat. As the doctor wrote the prescription, he’d explain that years ago, tonsils like mine would have been removed, but, “these days,” we try to hang onto them. “These days,” were the 1970’s. I guess the tonsillectomy pendulum had swung back from the days when kids got their tonsils out because their brother was getting his out.
Aunt Kate’s reassurance helped, but I still wrote out some just-in-case instructions for my brother and hid them in my closet. I sheepishly told him where they were, just in case.
“This is temporary. You WILL feel better. Hang in there and stay hydrated!” -Greg Tooke
As an adult I continued to suffer from frequent bouts of tonsillitis. It seemed that I caught every bug that passed through my house or workplace. I guess those big ugly tonsils were a nice home for those nasties. It wasn’t until my 40’s that I also became aware that I suffered from something called, Obstructive Sleep Apnea -a condition in which a person stops breathing while asleep. I snored often and would awake abruptly, gulping in big breaths. I felt tired most days. After raising four babies, I had come to accept fatigue as a normal part of life! One day at a routine physical my doctor remarked about the number of episodes of strep throat and tonsillitis I’d had. We also talked about the sleep problems. While he didn’t formally diagnose obstructive sleep apnea, he suspected that I had it. He recommended a tonsillectomy, because of all the tonsil problems I’d had. As a bonus, I might find relief from the sleep apnea as well. If not, I’d undergo a sleep study. Forty four years old and father of four boys and a doctor finally said it: Those tonsils are doing you more harm than good! As much as I hated those tonsils, I was terrified at the thought of going under the knife. I started reading about tonsillectomy recovery on the internet and talking to friends. That didn’t help. “My cousin knew a guy who got a tonsillectomy and bled to death.” “At your age, tonsillectomy is dangerous.” When I met with the ear, nose and throat specialist, (an otolaryngologist), he told me that the risks are the same for an adult undergoing tonsillectomy surgery as for a child, but tonsillectomy recovery is longer and more painful. He was right about that!
Deciding to get a Tonsillectomy
I scheduled the surgery for the day after Thanksgiving. A traditional day of feasting in the United States. If it was to be my last meal, I planned to make it a good one! As it turned out, I was so nervous and scared that I could hardly eat on that day. I was recently divorced and had shared placement of my four boys. So many people counted on me that I began to question my decision. What if I died on the table? How reckless to leave behind a family, simply to avoid frequent tonsillitis? My aunt, a registered nurse reassured me about how simple the surgery was, and how far anesthesiology had come. I had nothing to worry about. Aunt Kate’s reassurance helped, but I still wrote out some just-in-case instructions for my brother and hid them in my closet. I sheepishly told him where they were, just in case
“My tonsils were like a 400 pound gorilla on my back. I don’t miss them at all. Ever.” -from the forum ________________________________________________________________________________
I took a week off from work, asked my ex wife to take care of the boys that week, and asked my uncle to drive me to and from the hospital. (a requirement with anesthesia) That was about all the tonsillectomy recovery preparation I did. I was about to learn a lot! Surgery went fine. I awoke in recovery with a serving of Jell-o in front of me. (“Jelly,” to my British friends) The nurse said that I had to finish it before I could check out. I swallowed it with great relish. It was divine! I called my uncle and we were out of there. I felt ok. I told him thanks and not to worry. I’d be fine. I believed this. Aside from a couple visits, I spent the next ten days alone in misery. The pain set in after about 24 hours. Streaming movies and television shows were my friends. Sleeping became my worst enemy. I’d wake up with my mouth dried out and my throat on fire. Oh my God. I was not prepared for this! I ran out of Popsicle’s on day three. I ran out of pain medicine on day five. The pain peaked on day seven. I broke down and cried in front of my brother on day eight- a combination of pain, drug induced depression, and sleep deprivation. Since then, I’ve read thousands of similar accounts on the tonsillectomy forum I created. It didn’t have to be so hard. If I’d known what I do now, I could have done so much to make my tonsillectomy recovery better. I hope to reach as many people as I can to help guide them through the tunnel. It has been my passion and taught me more about compassion and the amazing strength of the human spirit than any other life experience. When you shine a light for others, you also light your own path.
In the pages at follow, I’ll share tonsillectomy recovery tips with you that I learned from my tonsillectomy experience and years of coaching others through tonsillectomy and recovery.
I’m 16 & had my tonsils taken out 12th April (UK), so I’m only on day 2 of recovery. Yesterday was a lot less painful than today and I could speak easily and ate food/drank regularly but I have woke up with my throat / neck / ears in mild pain too making it difficult now to even open my mouth and I’ve already broken down in tears. I don’t know how I’m going to get through the next two weeks when these two days have felt like an eternity. Managing to drink water and I’m taking painkillers every two hours is there anything else I can do to ease the pain externally (neck etc) Should I try to speak to exercise muscles etc or just try and rest? Does unscabbing always have to be so painful and is there anything to do to prepare as I’m extremely nervous considering the amount of pain I’m already enduring.
Freya, pack your neck with ice packs, and keep humidifier running all the time. Drink all the water you can (glass every hour) and use heating pad for ear pain. Its the swelling causing the ear pain, which typically starts around day 4, but everyone is different. If you keep the ice on both sides of your upper neck, it will help with the swelling. Be sure to check out the menu at the top of this page for other helpful hints! Let us know how you are doing.
i’m day 6 in recovery and only get some painful moments here and there but cough up this very thick substance that is whitish and i’m wondering if that is my scab? also i’m wondering if gatorid will sting my throat when it goes down i’m afraid to try, as well as wondering if i’m recovering fast.
I’m on day 7 of my recovery !! I couldn’t drink the gatorade in the first few days but by day 5 I was able to and now it’s almost all I’ve been drinking. That and authentic coconut water for some reason feels really good haha. Anyway, the white might be mucus actually. The scab is more brownish yet subtle. My scab just started falling off today(7) It really freaked me out at first because I wasn’t sure if that was actually ok. It caused my nose to bleed the first time, (only the left side–the side the scab fell) but it quickly stopped so I knew it was ok. What I’m trying to say is that when your scab actually comes off, and if there is some bleeding, DON’T freak out! It’s normal and expected. However, if you’re bleeding a lot, and it won’t stop, definitely call your doctor IMMEDIATELY! Wishing you a speedy recovery and healthy heeling!
Hi Scott, it sounds like the scab, which is amazingly fast! Yay for you! We are all envious.
Hello everyone! I need to say i’m so glad i discovered this because i’m in a world of hurt. I’m going on day four now since my operation and i feel no better than i did the first 24 hours. I find myself constantly coughing and choking on something back there, which usually leads to heavy gagging. I’m too scared to look, however, because of all the pictures i’ve seen. I also am having excruciating pain in my jaw, ears, head and now back (presumably because of laying in the same position). I have been keeping myself hydrated (monitoring with my urine) but it fluctuates. I just don’t want to feel the scabs peeling but that’s what it feels like every time i swallow. It makes me gag. I’ve learned to pain manage with Tylenol but even then i’m in unbearable pain as soon as that wears off. I haven’t eaten in four days and i’m starving! I tried mashed potatoes the first day because i was feeling good, but then i threw up blood and now i’m too scared to try anything else. Jello just doesn’t fill me up and it feels warm in my mouth, even straight out of the fridge. I just want this stuff to be over, i’m miserable!
Hi Kylee, Most report the worst days of recovery as days 5 – 8, so you shouldnt expect to feel better than the first 24°, and unless you are under the age of 10, you should ask for medication stronger than Tylenol. Its way too soon for scabs to be falling off (usually around the second week) so I suspect its the dairy that causes you to gag! Avoid dairy for awhile. As long as you are keeping hydrated, you can go without food for a couple of weeks. Keep hydrated. Keep a humidifier running full time. Popcycles, gatorade and water. The most important right now is water! And more water. Others in this forum report drinking ICED water has better helped them. Try jello again in a few days, then soft foods. Hang in there, we are all rooting for you!!
I got my tonsils removed 2 days ago, and the pain wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. but yesterday was so bad, I could hardly swallow. still on antibiotics and pain meds, I prayed last night for less pains, and God answered. today wasn’t as bad. I was able to have just a small slice of fish as I was hungry; but I have been on Gatorade and water till tonight.
I also use ice pack on my cheeks. overall, I’m able to speak better but not far away from my pain medication.
#JesusHeals!
hi
I am in 7 day of tonsillectomy and hvae severe pain and I feel very week.
my diet last seven days only milk , bread and juices I am unable to eat something els any suggestions for me.
I was told by my Dr. not to consume any dairy products b/c it thickens mucus and makes it more difficult to swallow. Water is probably better for you than milk right now(and always, IMO). You can also try Gatoraide–worked well for me.
I agree with JILL, try to avoid dairy products for a few weeks. Cold water. Thats all your body needs right now. Most people can go weeks without food, but water is essential. Add popcycles – make your own to make them perfect!