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 my tonsils done along with sinus surgeries and I DO NOT recommend it! It was 10 days before I could breathe through my nose which made my throat even more raw. It was 10 days I went without sleep, I ate jello, Popsicles and water for 2 weeks and went off pain meds at about the same time. After a month, I could eat a little more regular foods and felt good. Without the sinus stuff, I would guess about a week or 2 at most. The lack of sleep probably slowed down my recovery.
56/female. Two weeks off with gradual return to full days the third week. Pain was tolerant with medicine but I was very weak. My job at the time required full mental acuity at all times and the mental effects of the anesthesia/medicine was the hardest with which to deal.
34/f – I work from home so I was able to do a little bit now and again a week after surgery, but could not work a full day and use the phone for long periods of time for at least 2 weeks.
i had mine done a little less than two years ago, at age 36. i was eating on day 3 (saltines, pudding, etc.) and back to work on day 18. i felt okay through almost all of it (day 3 morning was rough because i hadn’t had solid food and i started throwing up); i kept to my painkillers every 4 hours and the pain was never even as bad as it had been with strep. i felt cruddy coming off the drugs, and then (literally) overnight i was all better; i consider day 20 to be my full recovery. that said, it was still a couple of weeks before my sense of taste returned to normal, a couple months before i could yawn without wincing, and even longer before my throat was doing all the things it used to (sneezing without making a mess and swallowing every time i meant to without having to stop and think about it a little…) but it was never as bad as i was led to believe it would be, and i’m SO glad i had it done.
oops, forgot to add – two-plus weeks of doing nothing wreaked havoc on the rest of my body; i was shocked how weak and easily-winded i was when i got back into the world.
32/female- I returned to work after 2 weeks. The most important thing is take care of your self. Drink lots and lots of water, take your pain meds as prescribed, keep an ice pack on your neck, keep a humidifier going at all times, chew gum and eat soft room temp foods. I followed these rules by the book and on the 14 day mark which was Valentines Day, I went out for a wonderfule dinner with my husband.