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.
27 years old and in college. Feeling very depressed and hopeless. Surgery was December 21st. It was uncomfortable for the first day or two but then I felt like I was suicidial thereafter. Thankfully my mom has been with me this whole time but I was honest with her. The pain was sssoo bad on day 3 that I would have easily taken more pain meds than I needed in order to stop the pain. I think this was also the time I realized what I had actually done by choosing this surgery. I did this to myself. I chose to be uncomfortable and suffer pain in order to get better and no matter how hard I could try, it was irreverisible. There is no going back and I’m stuck with this pain. That was a very low moment for me. I cried sssooo hard for like 15 mins. I havent cried that hard since my grandma passed. During this episode, blood rushes to the head causing even more pain and more tears. After a very long prayer for inner peace, i regained my composer. In addition my mom started crying because she could see how much pain I was in but couldnt do much about it and she was already doing alot. Shes a saint! I understand and I know that things will be better in a few days. I know it will be worth it. I hear you but its not helping me through today. What can help me through the next afternoon or the next hour? Im eating ice chips constantly, drinking fluids, being mobile at a minimum, etc. Im looking at all the possible online forums for tips and advice to help. Is there any more I can do? To make matters worse my mom has to go back home now, in another state. The doctor says i cant leave town for two weeks but i have no family in this state and all my friends are gone for the holidays. Im alone. Should i leave with my mom or stay here alone for the remainder of my recovery?
I’m so sorry. I’ve been where you are. I was actually alone through my whole recovery. One thing I can recommend is to try to move your focus from yourself. Hard to do- I know. Sitting and thinking about how painful it is makes it worse, and crying- Ow! that’s THE WORST. Plan little events. A movie at noon, a bath at 3pm, a walk around the block at 6pm…etc. It helps.
Also try changing your attitude about where you are at. You said, “I realized what I had actually done by choosing this surgery. I did this to myself. I chose to be uncomfortable and suffer pain in order to get better..” this is true- try to focus on why you had it done, and the benefits you’ll enjoy by not having tonsils. I can tell you- my life has been MUCH better without them. 10 days of misery- yeah, but now I’ve enjoyed 8 years without strep, sleep apnea, tonsil stones, and frequent sore throats.
reply #2: A COUPLE MORE THINGS: I gather that you are a person of faith. I didn’t really think of myself that way but I stumbled across something when I was at a low point in recovery- The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual adoration. These women have held 24hr/prayer vigil for, geez, a century? They happen to be located a mile from my house- I know they are legit. Anyway, you can put in a request and they will pray for you for a week, I think. It gave me great comfort- I was even a little scared as the week came to an end. Here’s a link: https://tonsillectomyrecovery.com/franciscan-sisters-of-perpetual-adoration/
It can’t hurt!
Finally, please know that many, many others have been and currently are where you are at. I’ve read thousands of stories. I’m pulling for you. If you join us on Facebook, you can probably get more support- the people on my friend list have all been through it and are WONDERFUL. Send me a friend request if you like:
I wish you comfort and peace.
Greg- Webmaster
I had my surgery in my 40s and understand fully what you are going through! It does get better and in the end it is so worth it! It has been 3 years for me now (i think) and the best thing I found was the support of Greg and his friends on facebook! If you write what you are going through – someone will respond … It is the best thing for recovery! Having support from those who understand!
I found that having netflix and choosing a few new tv series to watch really helped pass the hours and days! Almost like taking you somewhere else – for a short time!
I wish you peace while you heal and just remember – this too shall pass! All the best!
I had my tonsillectomy on the 17 and had a trip planned for christmas on the 27 to Indiana, wow I never knew what a horrible mistake I had made.
Surgery went well came back home and was able to eat some jello and fall a sleep but from that day on hell was unleashed in my throat I ended up crying myself to sleep in front of my family on the 6 day and felt depressed and anxious because of my pain medications, and on day 7 ended up bleeding so much I had to go to the ER and basically have the surgery again as a scab started bleeding like hell… After that I felt way better I am now on day 9 and I feel fine still not eating but I can now swallow and do normal things, had to cancel my trip because of my trip to the ER.
When will I be able to eat solid foods my stomach wants a pizza but my throat wants jello
What does “feel fine” mean? Did the pain go away and now you just have discomfort?
I had mine out the 18th and had to go back for a 2nd surgery on the 27th. I feel better than I did the 1st surgery but the pain is still bad! I’m so hungry… I want a chicken chipotle burrito 🙁 but these naked smoothies are all I can handle now.
Hi, my 5 year old daughter had her tonsils removed on 23rd Dec – she’s doing ok as I’m keeping on top of her meds but she’s barely eaten anything & im struggling to get her to drink much. My question is – her breath is really smelly – is this normal???
Thanks for any advice
Yes this is totally normal as the scabs and mucus and such have bad smell I was told by my doctor to not worry that after probably 2 weeks this smell and bad saliva will go away
Hi everyone – I had my tonsils removed a year and a half ago at age 42, and I just wanted to say hang in there!! It is not an easy surgery, but it has been so worth it for me – I haven’t had a single sore throat since the surgery (after years of strep/tonsillitis/regular sore throats) and have been sick much less often overall. What helped me in the recovery were many of the tips I found here – shaved ice, gum, humidifier, setting alarm to take meds and drink water, etc. I got very tired of sweet stuff and found baked potatoes (overcooked) with salt to be a good meal as the days wore on. Good luck!!!
Thank you Sarah. Glad you are well.
Hi Paul. I know what you are going through. I had mine out 7 weeks ago. It will be rough for the first 10 to 12 days and I promise once you get to 11 days you turn the corner, it is amazing you wake up and you feel the difference. You are just at the beginning and day 7 and 9 were the most painful , from the throat though the jaw and most painful into the ear. Make sure you take your pain meds please you do NOT want to go through this without them. I was only given Panadol and volvast and thought I was dying . But there is light at the end of the tunnel I promise you. At the time you don’t think so but now I breathe better , don’t snore anymore and no more painful tonsillitis . I am a 40 year old male so I know what you going through. Drink water water water and grab sleep when you can it all aids in the healing . Get well soon and a Merry and Blessed Christmas
Great advice Tim- Thanks!