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.
Hello to anyone who has scrolled down this far!
Im Katie, 20 and from the UK.
I had my tonsillectomy done today at about 12pm and its now 9pm. Before i go into details about my day, i feel fine! i expect there to be a lot of pain in the coming days but today…the only pain i have is from my uvula (dangly thing) as its about 10 times the size! other than that…no pain!
After reading all these horror stories i had worked myself up into such a panic when they were about the put me to sleep i was about to scream and back out. If you have a crazy fear of needles like me, tell them, they put numbing cream on my hands about an hour before which helped a lot, as it didn’t feel like they were doing anything when they put it in! I woke up in recovery and after my checks and obvs i went back up to my room where i was eager for a drink! whilst being in there i had drank 4 cups of water (small sips at a time), a whole chicken sandwich and some orange jelly (jell-o for the US). The jelly stung a little as it was citrus but it wasn’t much and it felt so good to eat something!
I’m now at home and I’ve had some noodle soup and a whole pizza! (greedy i know!) I’m just so hungry today, it really takes it out of you! I’m talking funny and it aches a little to swallow but its just like having tonsillitis at the moment! As soon as i got home i had an ice bag on my throat which i think helped a lot, and my drink of water hasn’t left my hand yet! I hope it doesn’t get much worse than this but I’m doubtful!
Im currently on 2 lots of antibiotics, paracetamol and ibuprofen, these seen to be working…for now!
I hope you all have a good first day like I’ve had and ill keep you posted in the coming days hopefully!
Katie
P.S DO NOT LOOK AT YOUR THROAT IF YOU’RE SQUEAMISH.
Hi Katie and welcome!
Do you think it would be better to have the most recent comments on top?
It sounds like you are in what I call, “the honeymoon.” Watch out- it does get a bit more painful. Stay on top of meds and hydration. We’ll be here for you. Best of luck!
update- I just realized that I had the setting all goofy for comments- THANK YOU for making that comment!
I’m a 30 year old male and had surgery Dec. 31. Today marks day 9 for me and I knew this would be a painful and long recovery but I didn’t expect the pain to worsen as the days passed and I suppose that’s what caught me off guard. The first five days really were not too bad for me however, since then each day the pain has gotten worse and I’ve been sleeping less and less. Last night was by far my worst night. On the bright side my throat is looking much better and I’m starting to see pink behind the white scab. I’m hoping either tonight or tomorrow will be my turn around.
My advice to others who are just starting their recovery or thinking about having their tonsils removed is first of all, make sure you really need them removed. I have battled with chronic tonsillitis, strep throat and a variety of other illnesses for the last 6 years and my ENT suggested surgery. The recovery from this surgery is shockingly awful and lengthy. Make sure you have a good ENT who will be available if and when you need to contact them with any issues after surgery. Take your pain meds as directed and ensure you have enough to last you several weeks. Try your best to eat something before or after you take your pain meds too. The last thing you want to do is vomit because the pain meds made you sick. Drink tons of ice water and munch on ice chips as much as possible. Expect to be off work and unable to perform nearly anything for at least two weeks. Like I said, today is day 9 for me and is my worst day (pain wise) so far. Be sure you have someone who can be around to take care of you. Flying solo for this recovery is not an option. The biggest thing is just being aware of what you can expect during recovery and having your mind and environment prepared for it. Netflix, HBO Series and movies are great for passing the days.
Update:
Well like I said yesterday was day 9 for me. In the evening I experienced my first bleeding incident. I immediately applied ice packets to back and side of my neck then gargled with ice water which stop the bleeding pretty quickly. Over night I rotated ice packs and since then I’ve had no further bleeding. Pain in my throat feels like there are obstructions like shards of metal sticking out. Pain is getting more manageable though and less pain meds are needed. Hopefully tomorrow (day 11) I will continue to feel better.
How are you feeling now John? I hope better than your last update.
Does your voice return to normal after the healing process?
Yes- There may be exceptions, but just about everyone I’ve known of had their voice return to normal- even professional singers. Best of health to you!
I had surgery 12/23 and I am 38 yrs old, 2 children, 8 and 15…this is the most miserable experience of my life. I’ve given birth twice naturally, tri-male or fracture of left ankle, other surgeries….NOTHING prepared me for this!!
It gets better! I am on day 13 and have minimal pain. Only had to take one dose of pain meds and ate pasta, you’ll be at this same spot soon. I had my surgery two days before you, so you don’t have much longer to go until you’re feeling better. It will turn around, just focus on the fact that soon enough you WILL feel much better!
Hi- hemmorage this morning and back to surgery! Ugh cried entire time and almost choked on clots- lost about 1/2 liter of blood. Back to drawing board:(
I understand how you feel, I also had post op bleeding multiple times and had to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the day after Christmas in the hospital. Most crucial tips for no more bleeding- don’t cough or clear your throat, and only eat soft foods and liquids. Also, try to sleep upright and have a humidifier nearby. Rest your voice as much as possible. Stay positive, it helps. It’ll be over before you know it. My doctor told me that around day 11, I would have a turn around and would be able to significantly feel the recovery process happening, which was true. You’ll get there soon.
Recovery