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.
Hi all, so glad that I have found this forum to share my experiences with you all. OK, so I am now on day 7 following my tonsillectomy. Day 1 and 2 were absolutely fine, I thought I was going to get very lucky, just felt tired which was probably the combination of the anaesthetic and painkillers. Anyway, things started to change around day 3, the pain was extreme and suddenly eating became a challenge. I was still able to drink water with only a small amount of pain. Day 4 and 5 things got really bad, I found that waking up was the worst bit, I would wake up with a terrible sore throat and really terrible earache, all I could manage to eat was a bit of jelly and drinking water was really difficult. I found that I had a couple of hours during the afternoon where the pain reduced slightly where I tried to take on a slice of toast. I was religiously taking co-codomal every 6 hours and found that the final hour before meds was unbearable. I’m on day 7 now and the pain has been really bad and showing no sign of letting up so I have switched to a stronger painkiller (tramadol) and am trying a new tactic with food, I’m forcing down hard toast and crackers in an attempt to scrape the scabs away and reduce the likelihood of infection, I will update you on how this goes as I have only switch tact today. Fingers crossed the wake up won’t be as bad as the last few days because it has been getting more and more unbearable.
This whole experience has been far worse than I expected and was not mentally prepared for. I know long term it’s the right thing to do but I’m not sure I would have gone ahead with it if I’d known what I know now.
@TashaG I am 37 yr old female, also on day 6 post op and experiencing some pain in throat & ears mostly when the acetaminophen wears off. Staying hydrated with water definitely helps, as opposed to juice. Also I’ve gone to certain baby foods to get some fruit & vegetable servings instead of pudding and jello. Putting soup and cooked potatoes through a blender/food processor helped too, but still the fruits & veg aggravate my throat the least. Protein shake could also help.
This article is accurate to my experience. Days 1-3 were no big deal, then increase in pain. I just keep thinking to keep hydrating and resting till at least day 10. At day 10, I may or may not need to set a new recovery time goal. Wishing you and everyone else a manageable recovery.
Today, 6 Nov 16, is post-op day 6. I am glad I used Google to find out if my persistent pain is normal. I finally had normal food today. (Mac-n-cheese) I over- cooked a little to add extra softness to the pasta. Swallowing my saliva is painful. Icannot do cold or ice because they actually hurt more, I am alternating the Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen every 2 hours per my doctor’s instructions. I have liquid oxycodon for breakthrough pain but it is triggering migraines so I’m having to suffer the pain. I have a couple of friends who have had a T&A and are shocked that I’m still in pain. I’m not sleeping, I’ve lost 7 pounds since surgery, my entire body hurts, my ears itch, I’m trying to stay positive but I wish death would swallow me up ?
How are you doing now? Your entry really shook me up. How long did you endure pain? I’m ten days post op, there appears to be no end in sight.
Hi, I’m due to get my tonsils out in a few weeks time. I’m going to get a humidifier but wondering if warm or cold mist is the best way to go? Has anyone tried both? Did they notice a difference? Thanks, Nicola
Hello all. had my operation 10 days ago.Female in late 30th. i find it extremely helpful, as a speedway to recovery if you take antibiotics. Just make sure this is agreed with the doctor. The wounds dont recover well and fast because of the bacteria living in the mouth and there is nothing you can do about it. so having the wounds clean with the antibiotics will make your body concentrate on fast healing rather than healing plus fighting the infection gathering there. And make sure you have enough protein in you diet. I found warmish (almost cold) tender omelette very useful.
To be honest i only took painkillers once in a while, used ice to the neck when needed. Drinking is very important to keep the wounds and mouth moist especially at night. Dont ignore the dry mouth at night. Sip on water. And have the head elevated with the pillows.
In the end my wounds are almost healed. I still have a bit difficulty talking loud and for long. But its getting better by day.
I hope this is helpful.