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 had my tonsils removed on Monday (4 days ago) the pain is something else! I thought the Dr was exaggerating when he was explained how bad the pain was during the recovery. Yesterday I went to my GP and got more painkillers and another throat spray. (It stings but it does help) Tonight I fell asleep so didn’t take my pain killers on time. When I woke up in felt like I was going to pass out the pain was so bad! I’m now dreading the next few days but just keep telling myself it will all be worth it.
day 1-surgery at 9am got put to sleep woke up at 11:30 feeling dazed from anesthetic, my pain was like 2 out of 10, i told the nurse i was feeling 7 out of 10 so i can get an extra shot of morphine lol. 20 minutes later i really need to go take a leak and i was able to go on my own but they wont let me because i was in the patient recovery section. i would have to be transferred in order to use the washroom. so i got transfer to like patient check up section. walked to go take a piss, got couple Popsicles. i left the hospital like an hour 2 hours afterwards. got home lay upwards ice cold water only and rest. IMPORTANT WHEN YOU SWALLOW HURTS LIKE A BITCH, SO TILT YOUR HEAD UP EVERY TIME YOU SWALLOW. DON’T CLEAR YOUR THROAT!!
day 2 – drove myself to go buy ice cream, yogurt, juice, Popsicles. continue swallowing by tilting your head up so it help with the pain. rest all day. don’t talk!! DON’T CLEAR YOUR THROAT!!
day 3 – woke up with a shit load of mucus and flem, cleared it out. brushed my teeth with cold water only. brushed my tongue also. ate ice cream, drank juice. and alot of water!! drove downtown, walked around in the sun get some vitamen D. at night time i ate chicken noodle soup from tim hortons, i was chewing lightly. eat the noodles only make sure theyre well cooked and soft. went hope sleep some more.
day 4 – which is today may 5 2016, i’m eating noodle soup make sure its well cooked, throw some onions parsley or anything green that gets cooked and soft, you need some greens in you, i ate scrambled eggs, 3 bowls of different type of noodle soup. a lot of guava juice. coconut Popsicle, some crab soup with like fish maw soup or something from a Chinese restaurant. TODAY WAS THE DAY I TOOK A SHOWER LOL. cleared my throat oh yeah have a cup of water with you always!!!!
a note the pain so far was worst on first and second day, I havent taken the pain meds that i bought to take home yet the ocycodine. im managing without it be a man and take the pain dont mess up your body. i only took the amoxicillin every 4 hours every single day to prevent an infection. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WATER BY YOU SIDE!!! and its not so bad i’m managing. I wrote this because i read some nonsense thinking it would be the bad…. its not that bad just dont talk!! and a shitload of water eat as soon as possible so u get some nutrients and brush that nasty teeth and tongue lol. good luck.
dont take the pain killers if you dont need it!! im on day 4 at night and havent taken any single painkillers yet. im preparing for the pain.
Hi i am on day 4 going into day 5 and this pain is something I can’t even explain. I applaud you for not taking pain meds…??? 37 year old female mom of 1….
Hey Tia – everyone feels pain differently. I would rather give birth again than go through tonsillectomy recovery.!! Take whatever meds you need to get through, and do whatever it takes to distract yourself from the pain or make you more comfortable – you have a few more days of the worst phase and then you WILL start to get better
Hi,I found this entry and thought i would give you some insight upto DAY 11…
I’m going to be blunt- the pain never ends! I swear i thought the doctor’s were exaggerating the fact i would need 2 weeks off but i feel that’s not enough. I’ve got to the point where i have broken down so many times everytime i take the painkillers I don’t check the dose anymore. It gets better though i promise 🙂 Day 5-7 is probably the most aganosing time for anyone. I’ve been to A&E (British version of ER), I’ve attatched to an IV many times to rehydrate me, I’ve suffered sleepless nights, coughing up blood… The list goes on. On a positive note you lose so much weight. I’m just waiting now for the pain to stop, plus i’m sick of eating jelly and crumpets, i want to be able to eat my Jaffa cakes 🙁
day 5 – Still hurts every time when i swallow even spit alone, I haven’t taken pain meds yet, waiting for the excruciating pain to arrive. Eating scrambled eggs, noodle soup with chicken bits, ice cream, tostittos chips with salsa (make sure to chew well you don’t want any bits cutting you), ice cream, alot of juice. ALSO WATER BY MY SIDE AlWAYS. Also i notice I can’t clear my throat yet it hurts so much so what I do is I tilt my head down to the ground while standing up, and clear my throat very lightly alot of mucus will build than I spit it out, it’s disgusting. tonight before i sleep i have to rinse my mouth and throat with salt warm water. One last thing, WATER!WATER!WATER!
Hi. I still did not have my tonsils taken out and I’m so scared. I’m scared of needles and now I’m so scared of taking the IV. I would like for some advise please. Thank you
I’m at the end of day 8- dreading abother night of setting my alarm to take pain meds and sip ice water. On day 5 I went to ER for a reaction to the percocet. I was given fluids and a steroid. I left being able to “kind of” talk for the first time since the surgery! I started taking prednisone yesterday and all that progress has reversed. My tongue is enormous- my teeth lay on my tongue in my sleep and it’s making it sore. I’ve been diligent with ice chips, ice water, ice packs in my neck/jaw, and tylenil- no relief! Tomorrow is day 9 and I am praying for this swelling to go down again so u can at least quietly talk to my kids.
I’m on day 2 on recovery and have been sick 3 times but literally can’t do it anymore. Can anyone recommend something to help with the sickness? Or tell me how long it’ll probably last 🙁
You need to go to GP or hospital to get maxolon (or similar) 🙁 it is probably happening from the anaesthetic, but if it is blood thay is coming up let them know asap.
Good luck.