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! i had my tonsils removed last wednesday on the 22nd. its now day 4. and these past 2 days have been the worst, i have constant ear and jaw pain and of course throat pain. i havent been eating so im easily aggravated. ive been laying down sleeping mostly during the day. im always tired. and constantly taking medicine that wears off too quickly. it always hurts, it constantly hurts everyday even when i take medicine. i havent eaten since wednesday and try to drink as much fluids as possible. though its very hard. as a result im super dehydrated and always miserable. im 16
Hi Kimberly, I’m so sorry that you are in so much pain, and I know that me telling you everything you’re experiencing is normal won’t make you feel any better, but it is normal. The ear and jaw pain is from your throat swelling – has nowhere to go but your ears and jaw. Keep ice on your neck and jaw, you NEED to drink more fluids, even popcycles is better than nothing. Do you have a humidifier running 24/7! You can go quite some time without food, but you CANT go without fluids – 8-12 glasses a day minimum. For most people, Days 4-7 are the worst! Some find it lasts up to 11 days before they feel human again. We all heal differently. The folks on this forum are AMAZING; always ready to share their helpful advice – you are not alone. All of us are here if you need to share or ask questions. My prayers for a speedy recovery. Keep us updated, we all really want to know how you are doing. Hang in there!!
I feel Amazing! I’m on my 10th day of recovery with minimal pain. I’m able to eat more and I even went to the movies. However I am a little concerned. I am having post nasal bleeding. Is this normal?
Hi Isabel
I agree with Janet. You are still in the early week of healing. A full recovery can take atleast 2 wks. As Janet mention the days will get worst first as you start feeling better. Pressure of pain of the ears are the worst, lack of sleep will get you so irritated being at work on day 5. Let along you wont be able to talk. You need more time recover. But I can say alot of people recover differently. As for myself it took me 3 wks to get back to work as my pain got worst on day 10-14. And Omg i had severe tongue pain that let me not to talk. Drink lots of water l, take your meds timley and definitely get enough sleep. Have a good recovery.
I’m on day 3 this is the most pain I’ve felt in a long time. I am due to be back at work on Monday. I work at a dental office and talk all day. I really hope all goes well.
Hi Isabel, Undoubedly, you have read other experiences in this blog. I’m going to be blunt, You haven’t yet hit the hardest days of recovery, days 4-6. On Monday, you will be smack-dab in the middle of the worst part of recovery. My fear that you overdo it troubles me, as it will others who learn of your expectation to return to work at a dental office on day 5. We have all been there, done that. The most common thread of all of our journey through recovery are days 4-6, which are, without a doubt, the most difficult. We all share our experiences in this journal hoping to help others traverse the difficult path of recovery. I hope you do what’s best for you, take care of your body, and give it more time. And to my new found friends in this blog, please back me up. Since we wouldn’t be here without having compassion for others, while trying to learn from the experience from others, help Isabel know what to expect on day 5. Be sure to remind Isabel of the scab, and the ear “pressure.” My hope for a speedy recovery, Isabel, along with my prayers. We are all here for you!
One post of video only please
Hi Isabel. Yeah it’s rough. I hate to say it but you might not be ready to go back to work by Monday. Everyone’s recovery is a little different but for me it wasn’t until day 11. Best of health to you!
Hi Isabel, I will go back to work on Wednesday and my surgery was on 16th of Feb. I think Monday it’s too soon for you, seriously consider to postpone it at least a week. Believe me it will be best for you. You won’t be able to work and you will delay your recovery. Wish you the best and a fast recovery!
I agree with Kostas.
I’m on day 8, I just wish I knew when this was over, I’m back to work now and maybe it was too soon.
Hi Skyler, I think each of us recover on our own time; it took me two full weeks to get back to work. I’ve read posts on this blog where some go back to work in a few days! And, others who don’t return for a month or two. I think it also depends on the type of job that you have, if it’s jackhammering concrete, no, give it more time. If you sit behind a desk, and don’t have to do a lot of talking, eh. Go for it. You be the Judge, don’t let anyone tell you when you’re ready, or not. Good luck, and I hope you completely recover soon.
Hi Skyler
Is true eveyone recovers differently. It took me 3 wks to recover and head back to work. At day 14 is when I started to feel a better. It was long journey for me but i pulled through and I know you will too. Since you are back to work try to take cepacol. It soothed me through out the day.
Great advice, Brenda!
My worst days were day 10-14. You might end up back out. Wishing you a speedy recovery
Hey skyler, I had my surgery on Feb 20th. And I can’t imagine being back to work so soon. How are you feeling now?
Hi Sally, How are you feeling? Painful tongue? Hard to swallow? I hope you are pounding the water, and forcing soft foods into your diet. Keep humidifier going full time. It took other bloggers on this journal to teach me that water/humidifier will hasten the scab falling off. Once that happens, your recovery will quicken! I know you are just now hitting the hardest part, but this too shall pass. No coughing, yawning or blowing your nose. (Ouch!). Gargle every time you pee, even if it’s only warm salty water – no spitting, just let drool from your mouth. I’ve got you in my prayers, for Speedy recovery. Keep in touch. We are all thinking about you.