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.
I had a horse wreck a few months ago. I broke my hip. It’s been replaced. It was painful. But doesn’t compare with the PAIN I’ve endured from the tonsillectomy a week ago. I would be completely devastated not for the pain meds.
RB
OMG!!! I am also very reluctant and if a hip replacement is easier than tonssilectomy recovery, I wish that I could opt- out!!! I have heard how incredibly painful it is for adults and Im just shaking my head. SMH… I will let ya’ll know how my recovery/ pain level is, in two weeks. Wish me luck butthe original onset was a pain scale of a Ten!! And I just recovered from spinal surgery. A Fourteen on the one thru ten pain scale.
OMG!!! I am also very reluctant and if a hip replacement is easier than tonssilectomy recovery, I wish that I could opt- out!!! I have heard how incredibly painful it is for adults and Im just shaking my head. SMH… I will let ya’ll know how my recovery/ pain level is, in two weeks. Wish me luck butthe original onset was a pain scale of a Ten!! And I just recovered from spinal surgery. A Fourteen on the one thru ten pain scale.
So i just had my tonsils removed 4 days ago, tried to go as long as i could the day after without pain meds and i can confidently say i could have made it all day, i just did not want to. the pain has not been too bad (i’d say about a 3 out of 10), but maybe that’s due to me not talking and just laying around all day. My experience so far is more weird than anything feeling those stitches in the back of my throat sometimes gets itchy, but i’m 23 years old and like i’ve been saying, the pain is really not all that bad. drink lots of cold liquid, stick to your med regimen get lots of sleep and with the way things are going so far i expect this experience to be over pretty soon. foods i’ve been eating are alot of mashed potatoes (cooled off), cottage cheese, and small slices of cheese. biggest key in eating is to nibble and not chomp. hope this was helpful
Tomorrow I am getting my tonsils removed. My biggest fear is that I will have a hard time breathing due to the swelling from surgery. What have you all experienced as far as that is concerned? I need some major reassurance! I did watch some tonsillectomies being performed on you tube. It doesn’t look too scary! Looks quite painful though after the fact. And once the scabs fall off does your throat go back to being red? That yellow color is just nasty! I hope to hear back soon! Thanks for this site. I’m real glad it is here 🙂
I had my tonsils removed on 13 Mar. The first 10 days were painful swallowing, eating, etc. The key thing for me was pain management with meds. I am still not 100% but at least I can swallow and eat food. Ears and throat still hurt but not as bad as days 1-3.
I am having my tonsils out in 2 weeks after reading this I am terrified
Hannah,
I felt the same after reading all the horror stories but the three days worrying about it before the op ended up being far worse than the recovery period. It will be uncomfortable but doesn’t need to be any worse than that. It clearly varies hugely from one individual to another but, as I wrote in my original post on 19/2, my guess is that most people who don’t suffer too much don’t write on the blog. None of the other friends I know who had the op as adults had a really bad time. See that post for further advice….
Good luck!
Nick