Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery Time – a Poll
Tonsillectomy recovery time is unique to each individual- sure. We know that recovery time for adults is longer, and maybe harder, than tonsillectomy recovery time for children. I remember my own son bouncing back in less than a week! My own experience taught me that ten days off from a job that required lots of talking was a bit light. I generally advise two weeks. As I’ve said, most employers will let you come back early. That’s easier than asking for more time after the fact. I’ve read the accounts of thousands of tonsillectomy patients- most of them adults. I’ve learned that the time required varies. I wonder though, how many tonsillectomy patients never really post about their experience. Are you one of those quiet ones lying in the weeds? I’d like to get a better feel for the average adult tonsillectomy recovery time. Please take a moment and share your own experience in recovering from tonsillectomy surgery. You can help us all!
So let me put this out as an informal survey for people who have been through it, to help those planning a tonsillectomy. (It’s also one of the most commonly researched questions by adults considering tonsillectomy.) It’s my hope that we can amass a good sampling of experiences to help guide would-be adult tonsillectomy patients as they plan their family, work, and other obligations,
What is the average recovery time for tonsillectomy in adults? Read my Summary: Tonsillectomy Recovery Time Summary
So, what is it? What is your recommended adult tonsillectomy recovery time?
Join the discussion
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Before you schedule an appointment to have your tonsils removed, do a little research.
I was 35 years old when I had my surgery. It was four weeks before Christmas. The surgery was pretty easy and there was really no pain. Until I got home, I vomited blood and that was no fun and then of course the drugs started to wear off. It was more like a bad sore throat, which I was already used to, since I needed my tonsils out for about 5 years. Day 5 was the worst, childbirth was a piece a cake compare to the EAR PAIN. It was nothing I have ever experienced in my life. It was not a like a ear infection it was a pain that I cannot explain. The sound of noise made it feel so much worse. I medicated myself to get me through the day, and I did. It was pretty much smooth sailing after that, however in my fourth week of recovery I contracted bronchitis, on Christmas eve. My surgeon was out of the country, so I was very lucky that my primary care doctor was on call so he gave me some antibiotics. Can you imagine having a bad cough after the surgery ? Well I did and let me tell you it was NO FUN. I would have to say after my bout with bronchitis, and after the antibiotics kicked in I felt so much better. I didn’t let the surgery kick me down, its easy for you to feel sorry for yourself but in a few weeks you will feel so much better. My energy level shot up and the great thing about the surgery is that you hardly ever have sore throats, which is not a good thing cause you really can’t feel a cold coming on. But I have notice in the last 4 years since my surgery the colds don’t last as long and you have so much energy. I did not realize how horrible I was feeling because of my tonsils. My only wish is that my insurance had not fought me on covering my surgery cause of my age. As look back I have no regrets having the surgery and the main thing through it all is that you stay positive. After it is all said and done the pain and the surgery will all be but a memory. STAY POSITIVE bottom line. 🙂
I was 41 and while it wasn’t a pleasant experience, I was eating oatmeal, eggs and pasta by day 3. Meds helped with pain, sleeping wasn’t great when meds wore off, and meds made me feel pretty crappy. I began weeding myself off the meds within a week because I knew i’d feel better, which I did. It’s hard not to wallow in self pity when you physically feel bad, but i’m a positive person, so tried to find ways to feel good. Being around people helped, but i did sleep a lot. I was pretty much back to normal in just over a week.
I was 24 when I had mine out and I live in the UK (there’s a LOT of difference in the aftercare and medication depending on where you live) and it took me a week before I could really go anywhere other than to the bathroom and back but by day 15 I felt normal and was able to return to work.
The operation went fine – I wasn’t really in that much pain for the first night although I was vomitting blood occasionally and sleeping lots for the first couple of days and had to be kept in the hospital. When I got home on day 3 it was very painful to eat/drink but they insisted that I try to eat crunchy foods so as to make the scab as thin as possible to avoid haemorrhaging (they specifically tell you in the UK to avoid ice cream and milk 23as the film it leaves makes you swallow more or worse, it can make you cough lots!) I ate lots of KFC chicken as it was probably the only thing tasty enough to warrant the pain of the crunchy foods lol They gave me tremedol and that took the edge off while eating – I took painkillers about half an hour before I ate and drank as much ice cold water as I could. Another thing is – say goodbye to sleep! You should aim to drink every couple of hours – the longer you go without a drink the worse it will be when you do! I found that by drinking water every couple of hours and avoiding a long sleep session was the key to having the least amount of pain possible!
Oh but I would like to add – at the time I thought it was the biggest mistake ever having a tonsillectomy (I even had to pay to have them out myself as I live in Jersey and there’s no NHS there!) but since having it done I feel SO much better. I’m never ill anymore (aside from the VERY occasional ear infection) and I would encourage anybody that has recurring bouts of tonsillitis, ear infections, snoring, recurring colds – get those tonsils out!
Thanks Lulu! btw, love your email -lol
I had mine out at 60. Each day got worse. I lost 22 lbs. in one week. The stitches were unexpected and awful. Everything I ate or drank went out my nose. I could not sleep, take meds, keep anything down. It was the biggest mistake of my life.
I asked my ENT if there’d be stitches and he said no, he said it would be very unusual to need stitching after a tonsillectomy especially with the cautery methods used. Did the tonsillectomy solve your problems? Are you recovered now?
Hi Marilyn- thanks for posting. I’m so sorry to read this. Are you feeling better these days?
38 years old – was out of work for 4 weeks. I returned to work but still not taking calls yet, surgery was 3/12/12.