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.
It’s been 1 week and soo sore. Trying to drink more water but then I dose off and wake up in pain and drooling. Find it best to try and drinkaa lot right after pain meds because then it doesn’t hurt as bad.
Hi all,
So glad I found this site!! I’m due to go in today for my tonsillectomy. 3rd time lucky I hope! First one got cancelled cause I had mrsa at my pre op, then I went in last week and it got cancelled due to me being last on the list and a ‘complicated’ case before me. So fingers crossed! I’m so nervous!
Awesome
When the you are fully recovered you will be so glad that you had it done. I use to get sick 3 or 4 times per semester and it was awful. I completed my Tonsillectomy safely in December. Praise God. I have not been sick all year! Six months no fevers, chills, sore throat, strep throat, etc. It has been wonderful. Make sure you are prepared in advanced. Have ice chips and Ibuprofen. You got this!
Just a quick update on my situation, things seem to be improving slowly but surely. I am now on day 12 post op, and day 7 post recauterisation. The pain is now more of a discomfort than a pain, and I am no longer taking painkillers. I have still got some scabs, but each time I look in my throat there is more and more pink showing through. I have had several bleeds since the recauterisation, but not as bad and they have all been self limiting. I am still signed off work for one more week so hopefully things will go smoothly and I’ll be back to normal this time next week!
If it wasn’t for the bleeding, then I would not have had too much to complain about during my recovery, as the pain has at worst been moderate. I was expecting it to be far more painful! Hope everyone is doing well.
Dan, UK
Hello all. I’m a 20yr old Texan who is still a baby to this; I’m 24hours post-op. Never saw it coming when they knocked me out, and when I came to, I simply felt sore. I was wondering, “Where’s this pain that feels like swallowing glass shards??” My operation room nurse told me that the pain is going to be no worse than strep. I get sick every two months, and ALWAY with multiple things: Laryngitis mixed with Pharyngitis, strep on top of Mono, Tonsilitis coupled up with Bronchitis. I’m a Musical Theatre performer, so I know they needed to come out. Once the anesthesia wore off, I’m definitely feeling the Strep symptoms. Is the “swallowing glass” pain just biding it’s time until my scabs fall off? From what everyone on here has said, I should expect the worst between days 7-10.
Thanks!
Holey Throated Theatre Gal
Hey guys. I am now Day 8 post opp and I’m not going to lie, its been pretty bad. Things are looking up though, I’m starting to feel more human and the pain during the day is minimal. The main reason I wanted to leave a comment here is to give a tip on the ear pain. I woke up night of Day 7 CRYING and SHAKING clenching my ears the pain was so intense I thought It would never end. Anyway I found out that CHEWING GUM fixes this pain almost instantly. yup just gum. Grab some sugar free mint gum and enjoy not feeling like you’re about to die. Secondly some of you ask about dried blood on your scabs. I’ve had this on both sides of my tonsil beds after brief bleeding and I was terrified but it always cleared up by itself after a little while. Hang in there!! I’m starting to get optimistic about my recovery and I wish all of you a safe one!