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
-Greg My short bio
Before you schedule an appointment to have your tonsils removed, do a little research.
Had mine out on the 7th of December. Reason I have had constantly infected tonsils for years that did not respond to antibiotics. I finally decided to get out for better quality of life. I feel like for the last 8 days I am having all my future major infections and pain x1000 lumped into 2 weeks and then it is The End.
That’s an excellent way of looking at this!
Day 2- all I can say is WOW! I had another relatively easy day. I was able to get ready and go with my husband to take my 4 year old to school. I stayed active: did a little laundry and wrapped a few presents and still feel good. It was difficult after waking from my nap, but after a few hours of broth, ice pops and tea I started to feel better. I have made sure to stay up with my meds-religiously every 4 hours! I can actually talk a little today. I feel totally blessed. I’m anxious for day 3 and 4 since a lot of folks seem to really feel bad but so far so good. I’ll say an extra prayer for all of you tonight.
Brig
Glad you feel so good, I was the same, waiting anxiously for day 4. It wasn’t to bad, but hit me around day 6. My surgery was on Dec 4th, and if you count day of surgery I am on day 10. It is the best I have felt since day 5. I am still eating mushy, tasteless room temp foods and drinking tons of water. I can’t imagine eating pizza, or going out to eat as some have mentioned. Scabs, are the whitish stuff you see all over and mine are starting to slough off. It burns to drink water,or eat anything fruit flavored. Keep drinking, you don’t want that to dry out. And a humidifier is key! Just when you don’t think you can do it any more, you will turn the corner. Good luck!
Thank you! Today has started a little rough. My mouth is raw and I’m really nauseous (probably from the meds and lack of real food). Maybe I can sleep it off 🙂
Day 1 of surgery-December 12, 2012: so far today has been really good especially since I know it’ll be about 10 full days before I feel recovered (day 1, check). Although i had some coughing problems at the hospital which resulted in a few breathing treatments, I cannot complain. My throat hurts a little but my ears hurt more (its mild). Ive had way worse cold symptoms.
I could eat Popsicles, luke warm broth, apple juice, ice water and ice chips. I know the probability of eating/swallowing this much may not be possible every day so I’m thankful for a relatively easy day 1. I have liquid lortab that tastes awful but really keeps the pain down. I’m going to keep up with it based on all the great information from this web site. We are well prepared and I cannot thank everyone enough for all the honest information. I will post daily to talk about my experiences
Wish me luck
Brig
Good luck Brig
Hello Im 23, and i had my surgery on Dec 3,2012. And today is my 10th day. So far ive been getting better but not that fast. Been really suffering from ear pain and have lost some weight. If i could go back and redue i would deffintly tell you no .:( i think its better for people to get it done when their really young and the recovering process is much faster. But hope i get better soon, havent been back to work yet !
I am on my 7th day and I feel awful. I actually feel like my medicine is not working as well as it did I’m the beginning. The ear pain is really bad. Sometimes it wakes me up out of my sleep. Now the I mention it…the pain is almost always worse when I wake up. I am interested to know when this is going to be over. I am due back at work on the 20th. If I knew how horrible this was going to be I definitely would not have had his procedure done.
I had mine out on the 6th due to being extremely swollen, the cause is believed to be an adverse side affect of some medication I was put on to control my Chrones Disease (either this or a massive coincidence based on the timing)
I didnt realise quite had bad they were until lookign in the mirror after the op and seeing how massive the chasm in my throat now is. looks like a couple of golf balls have been removed. I’m hoping once healed my fitness will start to increase rather than being at the same level regardless of the amount of exercise I was doing.
I havn’t been too bad, managing solid foods as recommended from basically the same day.
I have mostly struggled with sleeping not due to the pain but due to when lying on my back breathing through my nose I’m assuming my swollen epicglotis (spelling?) blocks my wind pipe. This seems to be easing off as time passes but the pain is increasing, today (day 5) is the worst yet with the pain sky rocketing.
I have just tried a strepsil lozenges which has actually substantially reduced the pain so this might be an idea for some of you guys at your bad times.