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.
Hi my name is Barry i am a 37 year old male from Scotland and im on day 3 of recovery now from a tonsillectomy and septoplasty, after coming here before surgery and reading some of the horror stories i was terrified and was expecting the worst but everything went smoothly and while admittedly my throat really hurts it is no worse than a bad throat infection, having a blocked nose from the septoplasty is more annoying lol.
What i suggest is to keep eating normally and drink plenty of water and take your prescribed medication (when you remember lol )
Dont Worry! Im the biggest coward when it comes to pain and i cry like a little girl at the slightest bit of pain, lol, If i can do it so can you.
Hi, my name is Maggie and I’m 21. I had my tonsillectomy on 30 Nov and today is 5 Dec which makes it day 5. I agree that this is the WORST experience I have ever had and I want to punch my doctor for not giving me stronger painkillers. I am a relatively strong person when it comes to pain – I had my wisdom teeth removed on the chair and was eating steak that same night, but this pain is terrible. I slept in hospital the night of my tonsillectomy which was nice because they were able to give me something every time I was in pain, I recommend that everyone who is considering a tonsillectomy ask to be booked in for the night. I started eating normal food straight away but I have learnt that Coke and salt and vinegar chips really help and are easy to eat. Do NOT stick to mushy soft things, the more proper food you eat, the faster your scabs will come off and the wounds will heal. Chew lots of gum and drink a lot of fluids, because the more your muscles work and swallow, the faster you recover. I have also learnt to stay AWAY from ALL dairy products – the dairy creates more saliva and makes swallowing hard. Stick to salty things and soda. I also feel that my doctor could’ve prescribed stronger painkillers, becuase the ones I’m taking have very little effect. I’m still not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel though, and I will post another update when I start to feel better. Good luck to everyone recovering from a tonsillectomy!
Hi Maggie,
I am also day 5 with surgery having been on Nov 30. Not sure about eating solid foods of any type yet at all – let alone salt and vinegar chips! lol. I was using pop to take my meds as it helped wash them down but have not been able to swallow much pop since. I find the very thought of swallowing hard and have to brace myself! I also tried chewing gum today and found it was very painful for the base of my tongue and my jaw as well.
Good luck with the remainder of your healing!
Hello All
Today is day 6 and it keeps getting worse. I now feel like everything I try to swallow burns. Water and ice cream were not bad the first couple of days but not I can not bear the thought of either one today. It took me 2 hours to eat 2 small scoops of ice cream this morning because of the burning on the sides of my tongue and throat. Hope to get better soon.
I had my tonsils out on the 14th so its day 4 and im so hungry i feel sick. The pain meds arent lasting as long as they should but the doctors told me to take when needed. Alot of the scabbing is gone but i really want to eat real food. I get a few bites of stuff down before i almost fall asleep. I just wish the feeling sick would go away..
Hello All,
I’m Danielle a 26 female. I got my tonsils out Nov13th. I’m on day 7 as I’m writing this hoping to fall asleep sooner than later and be on day 8. I didnt have the typical symptoms where most of you continued to get strep. Myself on the other hand got strep only a few times… but with a rash of a lifetime. It lasts up to 6 months. Its called gutatte psoriasis. It happens to about 3% of people when then get strep and of course it happens to me every time. It is horrible. It takes over your entire body including your scalp 🙁 I got so depressed and hid out. It wasn’t until this third time getting strep… then the rash that a doctor actually told me what was wrong with me! It all made sense. So, here I am because I thought I’d rather suffer for what a thought would be a few days of getting my tonsils out rather then ever thinking about getting this rash for months again 🙁 I can’t tell you which is worse now lol. Actually I feel like I’m finally seeing light at the end of this tunnel. Ive been thru a lot but honestly this was so painful I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Just stay positive and keep your head up it gets better and its all worth it in the end! I used warm salt water to gargle with which helped a lot and brushed my teeth often and always had crushed ice to swallow. It helped so much. Chewing gum is great as well and putting an ice pack on your neck after a relaxing hot bath!!! Take this time to take care of you. Xoxo
Wow that sounds horrible. When going through the pain of recovery you do wonder what was better. Its day 8 now and im not sure if im starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel or my painmeds are just working good and i managed to eat a sandwich and drink a diet shake.
I know today is Thanksgiving and I couldn’t eat much at all and EVERYTHING looked amazing. My mouth was watering. It still hurts to swallow. I’m taking the pain meds until I feel no pain lol.
I had the same problem with the pain meds not last as long as needed im about day 10 into recovery it still hurts idk when i should start eating regular stuff though im hungry and want real food back!
Hi Maggie,
I am also day 5 with surgery having been on Nov 30. Not sure about eating solid foods of any type yet at all – let alone salt and vinegar chips! lol. I was using pop to take my meds as it helped wash them down but have not been able to swallow much pop since. I find the very thought of swallowing hard and have to brace myself!
Good luck with the remainder of your healing!
Its Chris again. Today is day 7 and the pain is excruciating still. My tongue, throat, ears, and jaw are throbbing with the worst pain I’ve ever had. Ive slept a total of 15 hours in the last 7 days. This is by far the worst experience of my life.I’m going back to th ENT to get stronger pain meds.
Today is my 7th day and when i try to swallow water or anything it stings like hell!
Yea everything hurts, tongue throat ears jaw, everything. I haven’t eaten a real meal in 7 days, everytime I see a food commercial n tv my mouth waters and I get angry.
Today is my 7th day and it has been one of the worst because my tongue and throat burn with anything I try to eat or drink.. I have no idea why it’s burning.. Even my liquid lortabs burn when I take 1 tablespoon only every 4 hours.. I wish my ENT would have given me stronger meds..
I got my tonsils out 2 years ago when I was 20. I didn’t eat for 10 days bit after the 10th day I’d say I started to feel like myself again. Still a little pain but after 2 weeks I was completely healed up. I buffets pain meds and sleep. That’s all I did for the first week. It was painful but take pain meds around the clock and rest. I haven’t been sick since….definitely worth it.
I am 22 years old and I got my tonsils and adenoids out on Monday November 5 th 2012. Today is Sunday the 11th….all I can say is this is by far the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. Days 1 and 2 weren’t too bad because I was still feeling the effects of the anesthesia I assume. I didn’t eat anything other then applesauce orange sherbert and green tea. I didn’t think the pain was going to be too bad, but was I very wrong. Once day 3 came around my whole head, my ears, my jaw, my throat everything was throbbing with excruciating pain. The only way to sleep was to double my dose of percocet that night. Day 4 was the same, I pretty much just cried all day but I figured this can’t possible last another day…..well it did and day 5 was the worst because I haven’t really eaten so I started getting dizzy. Ive lost 8 pounds and slept a total of like 15 hours this week and i cant stress enough how miserable it has been. It’s day 6 now and the pain is starting to subside little by little and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. All and all this has been the most painful experience of my life, 100x worse then wisdom teeth surgery, and 1000x worse then when I had to get surgery on my meta caraparal.. If you are getting your tonsils out anytime soon and you’re reading this……expect and awful week ahead, and expect not to work or go to class for at least a week, I don’t think I’ll even be able to work tommorow (day 7)