Tonsillectomy Recovery Time Poll


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?

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Tonsillectomy Recovery Time
Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery Time

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280 comments

  1. Soo April 17th was my surgery, i am 25 and i would say fairly healthy all n all. I also heard that I’d be able to work with in 2 or 3 days from people who got theirs removed before…….. Load of crap, later i find out its because they got them out as kids.
    Anyway

    The mornings are the worst like waking up with the worst cotton mouth along with some one tattooing the inside of ur neck…. Over all I’ve read a lot of the other posts and to some degree they r accurate , It hurts to swallow ANYTHING so i turned to soups and liquids , problem with this is i been getting the worst acid reflex and indigestion that chain react burps/hiccups with a vengeance/puking – all excruciatingly painful….mostly from tomato based soups, that stopped shorty after realizing…
    More recently I’ve been getting more of a burning sensation far worse than beginning post op which is making it difficult to indulge in cold or sweet foods as it burns further. Im hoping this is to do with the scabs falling off although i have yet to see any come out
    …..

    Now for the positive….
    Tho im still in pain with a lot of the same symptoms as the rest I’ve been tapering off the pain meds and training myself not run to them first sign of pain…
    Breathing is still difficult at times especially when im lying on my back or my upper body is up side down but yesterday i did 20 min of yoga. At first it was very difficult cuz my body kept wanting to take lil short breathes to minimize the pain but i calmed n took deep slow ones; by the end i could defiantly feel my body and mind much more relaxed

    I’ve finally moved up to eating pasta (extremely slow) i have to take small bites and chew it till its a paste that i can painfully choke down and by the end im in more pain but well worth it to get some food in.
    I have to watch for some foods because ital build to much mucus and thats another problem in it self, i got a spit cup practically everywhere i go but it helps

    As everyone has mentioned if you do not need this surgery dont even bother, it does so much more then just a sore throat
    Ear/Headaches equivalent to migraines
    Loss of weight in turn lack of nutrition
    Mentally and physically draining
    And the obv swollen/painful mouth/throat/stomic
    Im sure theres more but theres a light at the end of the tunnel i just dont know how long till we reach it

    1. I’m 33 and I am 8 days out of a tonsilectomy. Still on a soup diet. I did get some chocolate boost to help with my intake cause I’ve lost 10lbs in 7 days. Was in the ER on post op day 4 for dehydration. Haven’t taken the pain meds in 3 days because they have me constipated! Went for my one week follow up and I’m not healing so I got an antibiotic shot and actually felt human for the first time today :/ Very frustrated, hungry, in pain…. Go back to work on the 28th on light duty. This is probably been the worst recovery ever!

  2. I’m 19 years old and I got my tonsils removed on April 16th and I’m due back to both my retail jobs on the 29th…. as of right now this seems unimaginable. 6 days in and I’m so sick of not being able to eat anything with flavor. Or anything for that matter. Needless to say, I am a total emotional wreck. Woke up from surgery in VERY mild pain, and I mean a 2 on the scale just confused. The ear jaw and throat pain are killing me. I can’t sleep at night, I broke down in tears earlier yesterday because my throat was bleeding last night and eating and drinking anything warm or cold burned. Plus the liquid vicadin felt like someone poured acid down my throat. I’ve thrown up 2 times both were mostly mucus but last time was a pill chopped and plugged into jello bits, so discouraging and my family will not leave me alone, everyone wants to visit conveniently when I finally want to sleep. Anyway better feel my full self by the 29th otherwise my associates will be doing A LOT of extra work. Hopefully I won’t need pain meds by then so I can walk in a straight line.

  3. I had my tosillectomy on Monday the 15…..so today is my 4th day in recovery!!! All that im able to eat is ice-cream & jelly and drinking water. The pain is so bad even my ears are affected. The pain meds only last for about 2 hours……had I known what I know now, I wouldn’t have removed my tonsils.

  4. I am 22 years old and I am day 7 in the recovery process from my tonsillectomy and I feel horrible. The pain meds just stop working after awhile so I’ve been taking Tylenol to ease up the pain. I can’t eat anything more than ice cream and water downed soup. I can’t sleep. My ears hurt so bad (which is normal in the healing process) I just want to pull them off! Im told by day 10 the scabs will start coming off & that I will start feeling better so I’m crossing my fingers!
    but don’t let any of these posts scare ya!! EVERYBODY heals differently and some people are more tolerable with pain than others. I have a few adult friends who say their recovery was not NEAR as rough as mine. So, Good Luck to ya & just follow your doctors instructions & STAY HYDRATED!

  5. I have had my tonsils removed on April 8 2013 and I must say I would never had had it done if I knew of the pain I’d be in. I described it to my husband that id rather have 8 more kids with no pain meds. Im a 32 year old woman who is constantly busy with 2 kids and full time job, my time of recover has been very discouraging, I feel that I should of felt better by now, at least enough to go back to work on the 22nd, which im now considering asking for a few more days off. All I eat is water,waterdowned chicken soup,water, some icecream, water, and well, water. I have been told to avoid all citrus foods/drinks and any pasta sauces. only bland foods with no spices, and trust me I sufferd when I have tried to eat them. The pain moved up the back of my head, ears, eyes and nose. Im constantly tired, and fussy since i dont sleep unless i take gravol for an upset tummy. my liquid pain meds run out after 2-3 hrs of taking them. I am not a happy person. I recommend, if you don’t need them out don’t get them out. I just am thankful I dont need to ever do this agin.

    1. I had mine taken out along with part of my thyroid and a cyst on my thyroid on April 10th. Like you , I have three kids and I am suppose to go back to work tomorrow the 22nd. I am so nervous because I am still in pain (especially in my ears). I am a teacher and can’t imagine talking all day! This whole thing started because of the cyst and my doctor wanted to take out my tonsils because of a “spot” on the ct scan. If I had it to do all over again, I wold have opted out of the tonsils and taken my chances with the “spot”!

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