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.
Day 15 after tonsilectomy–the worst is finally over. I regret getting my surgery done over spring break–I was told the recovery period would be between 7-10 days but I’ve only just started to feel normal again. The percocet has left me depressed and unable to focus since I stopped taking it 3 days ago, and while my doctor assures me it is a normal and temporary side affect of stopping the medication, I have 3 tests i need to study for and Im struggling to get out of bed every morning and open a textbook. Which is very unlike me. my throat still hurts but it is minor (especially compared to that pain in the first week–UGH!) but I’m still having some nausea which sucks. Drinking is difficult as the water keeps coming back out my nose if I drink too fast–very weird. I would have scheduled this surgery for the summer had I known the recovery period would be so lengthy. I just don’t feel quite like myself yet, and it’s frustrating. I still am having trouble pronouncing some words like “hole” and “pole.” But I’m sure I will relearn that in time. The back of my tongue still hurts to much to brush with a toothbrush so that’s made my breath not smell so awesome as of late. This has been the worst experience of my life! but some advice to those going through the recovery period: DRINK LOTS OF WATER. I didn’t keep well hydrated and I’m convinced that’s one of the reasons my recovery sucked. Drink till you can’t drink anymore. Force it down. It will help. Goodluck to all of you. It’s been a ride.
Hello all. So I am on day 8 and I’m not horrible but not great either. My main concern is I’ve gotten a disgusting case of thrush. Did or does anyone else have this problem? What is the best way to get rid of this crap? It’s a very thick layer on my tongue I can’t taste anything but the thrush itself
This is day 9.I have a thick coat on my tongue too and I now think I have ear infection bc I have major pain in one ear which my right one. I was having trouble with it a few weeks before my surgery and my ent gave me antibiotics. I am beginning to get concerned bc I haven’t been able to eat anything. I have only had vitamin water and water. I tried diluting mashed potatoes w chicken broth but they coated my mouth and left a really horrible taste. I tried oatmeal pureed and couldn’t get it down. People keep saying jello and it has no nutritional value and its just sugar. I am extremely weak and tired. I got up and cleaned a little and now I am really exhausted…..Thoughts???
Well not too long after typing this message. …i found out i indeed have thrush. My ent is calling in a prescription for a mouth rinse. So I literally had a break down. I had just bought some boost shakes and cant drink them. This surgery is crazy depressing.
Hello all,
So I’m 30yrs old and have sleep apnea. This is now day 12 including surgery day. I didn’t want to believe all the post about the recovery, but indeed they were true. So my recovery as my ENT put it, is on the more sever side. On day 6 I noticed my tongue and strange yellow color and looked hairy. I thought it was just because of the medicine i’ve been on, however day 7 came and when I went to spit (because i’ve been having trouble swallowing my saliva) It was all blood. So of course I freaked out. I had to be rushed to the ER the amount of blood that came out of my mouth was about 2 cups worth. I was admitted to the hospital for 2 days. My ENT said he couldn’t even see where all the blood was coming from and that it looked like it cleared up.
However he also said I have thrush. He put me on Nystatin for 12 days. I’ve never had anything like this, but the amount of anti-biotics I was on probably caused it.. Thrush loves sugar, I learned that the hard way. So stay away from anything with sugar, milk, carbs… It will help with the recovery. Try and eat plain greek yogurt, also it doesn’t hurt to take probiotics, you can get them at any health food store. Your body needs them.
All in all the pain is finally going away, I still have slight soreness in my tongue, and my swallowing isn’t completely normal. But I’m able to actually eat food now (slightly soft) I did’t think I would need more the a week off from work, but I still haven’t returned. Maybe by next week. Good luck to everyone getting this surgery done. Now I know why they say recovery is worse for adults.
Hello everyone, I am going crazy over this surgery. I am 39 and had to finally have them removed after 7 episodes of strep this year and a horrindous asthma attack cause from pnemonia, doc said “time to get the bacteria catchers out”. Surg 3/4/15 and I have been miserable every since. I work full time, I am currently taking five college classes, married w/ 2 teenagers. I washed rushed back in for emergency surgery on day 10 when I woke up choking. Dr. was a complete jerk because he had to come in during the night, so I haven’t called for a pain med refill. Today is 3/26 well actually 3/267 since it 3:40 am. I have been back to work for a week and half and I am miserable. Please tell me if I am crazy.. I have ear pain, itchy throat, headaches, my teeth feel like are going to fall out, my tongue feels like I have been through a meat grinder, I have insomnia, miserable hot and cold flashes (no fever), still can’t really taste anything except metal, any I constantly feel dizzy and weak. Oh, and I feel out of it like I gave been in a comatose state and just woke up. I don’t know if I lost so much blood and still can’t eat and drink enough to compensate. I really think I should have had some blood but like I said the dr.’s mannerisms were ridiculous the night I was bleeding. Is thus normal this far in the pricess? Did I start my recovery period over on the second surgery? I so need to feel normal again, I feel like I’m losing my my mind between feeling awful and my resoinsibilities. PLEASE HELP.
Ok, so I’m wondering if my experience is odd or I’m just not there yet in terms of pain. I’m 30, male, with hypertension and diabetic. I needed to have my tonsils removed due to chronic tonsillitis, stones and obstructive sleep apnea. I’ve been hospitalized for a week before due to peritonsillar abscess.
I had my tonsillectomy procedure done last week, 18 March 2015. Doc said it’ll take 7-10 days to recover and I might need to stay in the hospital until day 3. It was done very early in the morning so I consider that as day 1 of the healing process. Not so bad. I was still able to talk a bit during day 1, but eating anything was hard. I could only down 2 teaspoons of cream. Not ice cream. Just… cream. I stayed overnight at the hospital, so I had that going for me, which is nice. They can adjust the pain meds. Sleeping was tough because it felt like I was going to swallow my uvula. Still, I was able to put in around 4 hours of sleep. Not bad.
Day 2 was when it was most painful. I couldn’t talk and eat much, but on a scale of 10, I’d say the pain was a 5. I got discharged that day and I was able to drive my self home. The only pain meds the doctor gave me was Tramadol+Paracetamol to be taken only when needed and in 8-hour intervals. Only had juice and water the entire day. I was able to sleep on my side. A full night’s sleep. Again I don’t know if this is weird.
Day 3 I was expecting more pain. Well, I got a 4 out of 10 in pain scale. I even went to the grocery to buy some instant ramen, and I was able to eat them lukewarm. Still taking the tramadol+paracetamol just in case. I was wondering if it’s just so effective that’s why it’s not that painful. No problem with sleeping. In fact I was thankful because the apnea is gone!
Day 4, based on the comments here, is when it’s most painful. Well, a 3/10 for me. Accompanied my wife shopping. I was able to eat lasagna, but not the crusty bread. Day 4 was a breeze but I can already feel the scabs. I have pics if you want. 😛
Day 5, it’s like a mild sore throat. I can eat a warm soupy meal. I tried eating pork steak when the wife was not looking, and I was able to down it. I’m thinking, “hey, this is not so bad. Should I be worried??”
So today is Day 6. Pain is at 2/10, only due to the scabs scratching the side and back of my throat. And I only feel the pain on the left side. I’m typing this is the office. Everyone is surprised I’m here. Tomorrow I’m supposed to give a talk to graduating students. I dunno. I feel like I’m recovering very fast. Either that or I’m doing something wrong that I’ll regret soon. I’m also curious as to the method/technique used by my ENT so I’ll ask him during our follow up on Wednesday. I’ll update you guys. Again, I don’t know anything different with what I’m doing. I’m not even praying or like that. I was expecting worse but I guess I’m recovering fast.
Oh one last thing. The thing that makes it painful (up to now) is when I strain or exert a lot of effort like climbing up the stairs really fast with a heavy laptop bag (just this morning).
Hi Ronald, I also had a tonsillectomy on March 18th. Sounds like you are recovering much faster than I am! My pain has been pretty consistent, days 2,3,4,5,6 were bad. If I were you, i would be careful not to do too much. It takes at least 3 weeks for the scabs to heal. I still can only eat oatmeal and chicken noodle soup. My main problem now is that this whole thing triggered a strange and big flare up of my ulcerative colitis. Does anyone out there have colitis? I wish I had contacted my gastroenterologist before to help prevent constipation, diarrhea etc. I just had total breakdown tryingto go to the bathroom. Now I have 2 things to deal with! My scabs started coming off yesterday. Im hoping that means that it will get better from now on? What is the experience ofothers on days 7-10?
Thanks Haley
I have been drinking water and vitamin water. I bought coconut water and it was disgusting. Lol I bought a small cheap humidifier last night. And omg the difference. I wish I didnt have this disgusting taste in my mouth lol…it doesn’t help. As far as pain meds..the burning is horrible and makes me constipated. So, I am just avoiding things to compromise my throat. I am drinking sips of water ever chance I think about it. I have heard people saying there doctor gave them gargle stuff. But mine said gargle w warm salt water and im no sure that helped me.
I am 35 and I went in for the op on Monday due to having tonsil stones, strep throat & pharyngitis. Its been 3 days i can’t sleep my body aches all over im constantly dizzy & exhausted & my jaw, teeth & ears ache & my glands(throat) have swollen up like elephant woman. I was prescribed soluble cocodomol & voltarol which i cant take because it gives me severe stomach cramps. The mornings are the worst the pain even trying to speak is unbearable & my mouth is just filling up with thick fizzy saliva, I have only managed couple sips of water until today but i have managed couple spoonfuls of soup and tea. But i am getting bad acid reflux also. The smell from back of my throat is horrific it’s smells like a ball of shit is sitting at back of my throat (exactly 1 of reasons i had op) tonight the throat has really started to ache & bleed a little. I have now tried to remove some of the gunk with a cotton bud but its all under my tongue at sides & ive rinsed with luke warm salty water & im only obvious taking excess gunk off dont want to scrape the tonsil area but its horrific the smell is sickening & i am just worried were this gunk ends up. The tip of my uvula is also very yellowy/white & hits of back of my tongue it feels so weird. There is so many horror stories regarding this procedure i am dreading next few days. What happens to all the crap at back of throat will the tonsil stone party in back of my throat be dispersed. I hope this op isn’t in vain. Does anyone know what happens to the white/yellow/grey stuff as its foul im at my wits end
Hello
Im 30yr old female and had mine out on 19th march after putting it of for far too long (i should have had them out as a child) for years ive had nothing but horrid luck with them. They were huge and id get run down, simple cold or just catch tonsillitis so easily. They also affected my sleep. Ive always looked after myself. Ive never smoked, drugs and drink alcohol hardly worth mentioning. Fit and healthy. And thought for years how unfair it was on me that i was so often sick. Being 100% well was such a rare thing for me and my husband and i celebrate when i was! So my surgery went well. I’ve been given 2wks of. Im on day 7 and i knoe im going to take that 2wks.
Day 1-3 were actually ok. Ive slept well really. Only when i wake i need to use my mouth wash and spit the crap out.
I have high dosage meds… endone. I started taking day 4. As these are addictive and are basically morphin. I needed to take my first dose to be able to eat something! I lost 4kgs in 4 days. Thats huge for me. I cant loose that amount in 3 months eating healthy!
Day 6 ans 7 i feel ok at times but out of nowhere i ger sudden excruciating pain… like someone has poured chilli on parts of my throat. . I assume this the scabs coming of and its raw ??
I actually struggle to drink at all. Even thru a straw. Even taking a sip for my meds. I tear up and punch the bench… is this pain normal ? I actually fear drinking at all. Only today could i manage icecream. Day 3 i had a good feed… after endone but it hasnt worked the same since.
I in no way regret this i know after 2wks ill be a lot better and of cause the long run but judt a little worried of this pain as i know i need to drink. And i try but im really struggling.
Hi Hailey
I know what you mean. Im cutting down in the Norco tablets because they gave me terrible constipation and hemorrhoids. But my throat is hurting much more today, day 8. Im also having trouble drinking. The trick is trying to drink water at different temperatures. Sonetimes ice water goes down best, others its lukewarm or hot tea thats best. The scabs are starting to come off so thats why our throats are really sensitive. I cant believe how slow this recovery is going! Patience is not my virtue!
Hang in there, you will make it.
I had mine on the 20th. I am 42. I am having major pain. Today has been horrible. I have ear pain and neck pain on one side. I can’t take my pain meds bc they burn like swallowing lit matches. I have not eaten anything. I tried jello but it was disgusting and i have never liked it anyway. I spit up yellow mucous and i called my ent office and they said its normal. I have asthma and other health issues. Is there anything u guys are gargling with? I have been told dairy is bad idea bc of the mucous. What color are the scalbs?
Hi roshanda
Sounds just like my pain… Unfortunatly its normal. Its hell. I spoke to my good friend who is a nurse… we MUST take our meds when we are required to.. not when pain is unbearable. Its hard. I know. I was having panic attacks day 6-7. Today not so bad. I find lukewarm or room temp water the best. Not icy. I have to psych myself up to swallow them but theres a fine line before u cause a panic attack. I try standing over bench with a cushion so i can hit if need be. Sounds corny but go to ur happy place. Listen to sum soothing music. .. get ur breathing normal. I know how hard it is. I really feel ur pain but it will get easier. Today for me was day 8. I still struggle to talk ( dont force it.. even if u can manage talking… wait 10mins and ull be in a world of pain again) my husby and i have our own sign lang-its kinda fun really. Or write what u want to day down.. carry a notepad. It really isnt worth the pain to talk. If u can sip on powerade/gatorade/coconut water. These have a tonne of electrolytes and good stuff ur body needs. If u cant swallow pills. Can u get soluble panadol? This works for me. As u can sip not have that gulp.
im not s fan of jelly either but its helpful. What about custard (cold) ? You will get there. Read up on ppls aftermath blogs.. i couldnt find one regret after the recovery. Reading these will help lift ur spirits. The scabs come of day 5-10 so id say urs are coming of to. I was prescribed cephacaine for my mouth wash. Its not as harsh as some. Im in australia though. Luke warm water with salt is also fantastic.
Spitting yellowy phlem is normal. Spit as much of that out but don’t dry ur mouth out. As painful as it is sip water or powerade etc to keep mouth moist. Stop if it starts hurting.. uvr probably had it go over a raw bit. Then sip again when u can.
You will get there.. 2weeks is nothing compared to the lifetime of wellbeing u will have !! Stay positive & good luck.
Hi Roshanda,
I had mine on the 18th and am 43. The pain was getting much better 3 days ago but today is really bad. I woke up at 3am with major jaw, ear and throat pain. I’m having a lot of difficulty in swallowing anything! I checked and it seems that quite a lot of the scabs have come off. I hope that the pain will start going down in 2 days or so. I checked with my doctor and he said that it can be normal for the pain to peak again and that’s why you really need at least 2 weeks off. Have you been able to eat anything, even after 30 minutes of taking pain meds? Pudding is better than jello. I’ve been eating oatmeal in the morning. Low sodium chicken broth, not too eat, usually goes down. I don’t have a mouth rinse, I can’t gargle because my uvula still touches my tongue!
Hope you’ll have a better day.
From about day 8 I found it was really comforting to sleep with my head on a hot water bottle. The warmth helped remove some tension and diffuse some of the pain.
Good luck with your recovery everyone – I had a tough time but am glad now that I am tonsil (stone) free
Hello vanessa
Oh i am not a patient person either.. i was a little better by the end of today though. Hopefully were on the downhill ride now! Thanks 4 the advice on temp.. it helped me 🙂 my nursing friend advised me to take soluble panadal about half hour pre breakfast and an endone pill and then voltaten after (or nurofen if u don’t have voltaren). reckon this might helpme with pain tomorow. Fingers crossed! She made it quite clear not to miss taking ur pills though as hard as it may be! We need them. Pain will only get worst amd make it harder to take. Better put my big girl boots on then 🙂
I haven’t eaten anything but popsicle. I am thinking of trying oatmeal but sooo nervous. Lol I have been really weak. I walked my dog for a few minutes but omg i was exhausted.
Has anyone had the laser method? if so how was your recovery? I believe that’s what my doctor said he was going to use