What to expect following adult tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy?

Kellyellie · Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

I just posted this in another thread, but I wanted to post this here as well cos I've been following this thread for some time and it has helped me through the recovery process Smile

I'm 24 years old and I'm on day 7. Reading some of these posts at this forum almost put me off getting the surgery, but I'm glad I did it cos overall it has not been too bad.

Day 1. When I woke up after the surgery I had some pain in my throat and I could barely talk. I immediately went to sleep for a couple of hours in one of the hospital rooms. That day I drank heaps of ice water cos the nurse said that it was really important to keep your throat moist. I also ate some ice cream and jelly Very Happy My doctor said I was allowed to eat anything I wanted except bananas, tomatoes, spicy foods. He also said to expect some bad pain on days 4/5/6.

Days 2 - 5. I felt uncomfortable at some stages, but I made sure I took my medication and by day 3 I was pretty much able to eat anything I wanted (except spicy food and acidic foods of course) if I chewed them properly before swallowing.

Days 6 - 7. My doctor was kinda right cos the pain in my left ear and throat got a little worse but nowhere near unbearable. I just took my meds, found something quiet to do and forgot about it til it disappeared.

My scabs haven't fallen off cos I've been keeping my throat moist. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow for a checkup. One thing to note is that I didn't go poop for 6 whole days cos of the food I was eating and the medication. Some advice for those who have yet to have the surgery:

1. Drink lots of water! Keep your throat moist at all times.
2. Take your meds, otherwise you will pay for when the pain comes and it's too late.
3. Eat! Eating food gives you energy and makes everything easier. Also don't run out of ice cream in the freezer!

LJK · Newbie Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I am 26 years old an on day 9 after having my tonsils removed. I had them out due to multiple throat infections each year and because they had lots of little pits in them where tonsil stones collected and reeked! Despite warnings from my friends and families, I read many posts online before getting it done. Needless to say, I was pretty freaked out about it. I wanted to write my own entry to let people know that my experience was bearable. Now, I know everyone's experiences are different, but here's some tips/advice based on my experience...

Like everyone says- drink TONS of water. Things that were too sugary hurt my throat. (I got a smoothie on day 4 and it made my throat hurt so much worse!) Water was the best. It hurts when you swallow, but if you keep almost a constant stream of water going down there it helps so much. Your throat hurts a lot more when it gets dry. A couple people on here have said they spit so they don't have to swallow. Sure, it hurts to swallow, but it seems that would only do more damage. You need to keep moisture back there to keep it from hurting worse.

Keep consistent with your pain meds. Mine were for ever 3-4 hours, so I had an alarm set for ever 3 and a half hours- even through the night. This helped so that the pain never got too bad. Nights are the worse. I would make sure to drink a bottle of water each time I got up to take my meds.

Be prepared for a long recovery. Today is day 9 and the first day I've felt better. My scabs are still there, but they are decreasing. It still hurts when I swallow and really hurts when I yawn. But, I had normal food tonight- sloppy joes and french fries- i just had to chew it up real well before swallowing. I spent most of my recovery time just laying on the couch watching movies/reading/dozing, etc. Luckily, I did this a few days before my spring break- I'm a teacher- so I'll have a full week and a half before going back to school.

My tongue hurt a lot- It had a lot of sores on it like maybe I bit it during surgery or it was clamped down in multiple locations or something.

You'll get better then worse. I felt really good around day 4 and then much worse again around day 6-8. The pain gets worse as the scabs start to slough off.

My favorite food- mashed potatoes with cream of chicken soup for gravy- instant mashed potatoes made very thin and runny. Saltiness feels good- sweet stuff bothered me.

Other things I was happy to have on hand- Halls Breezers- I sucked on these when I got sick of water- kept my throat moist- especially helpful at night right after I took my meds to help my throat relax before falling back asleep. An ice pack that I could wrap around my neck. Ear drops. Lots of movies and books! Oyster Crackers- good for taking a few with your meds to avoid nausea.

Some things people talk about on here that did not happen to me...

Scabs- they didn't dangle there and fall off in one piece. They slowly slough off and shrink down- you don't feel them sloughing off, but while they're there it sometimes feels like you have something in the back of your throat.

Ear pain- I felt it some, but nothing horrible like some people describe on here.

Never did I feel like I was dying or couldn't handle the pain- Most people who get their tonsils out have had a lot of sore throats. If so, this is nothing new. Actually, it was better in some ways because nothing else felt sick- no headache, no stomach ache, like there often is when you're sick- just throat- and you can control it with liquids and resting it. My tonsils weren't too big, so maybe that helped me some.

I'm sure there's much more I could say- but the main thing I wanted to get across is not to be afraid to get this done. From what I've heard, it'll be well worth the 1-2 weeks of discomfort to not get nearly as many sore throats in the future. Good luck!

FunKate · Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I have been dealing with chronic throat infections for 27yrs so this surgery was long awaited!
The pain is no worse then any throat infection I've had. I'm only on day two but am staying very hydrated so I don't experience any of those aweful scab stories I read. I have kept to popsicles and smoothies in the blender.
I faithfully take my percocet every 4hours(which I had trouble swallowing until I found it easier to mix it in a little non-dairy ice cream and swallow). It's not very nice that my boyfriend is eatting all my favorite food next to me but I really have no desire to eat anything hot.
The worst parts so far is my swollen uvula(i'm gagging on it) and the flem that feels like its getting stuck in my nasal cavity. I've been staying away from dairy products they cause more flem.
I'm glad I went through with this. It's not all that bad. I know surgery was an excellent decison!

gkc516 · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I am 49 years old male and my tonsillectomy along with septoplasty are scheduled May 6th (go figure). After reading all the posts I am wondering if I should cancel the whole thing or belly up and get it done. Also wondering if the results are worth the pain. Dr says I really need to get this done but at my age?
Thanks
Ken

mdokter · Newbie Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

I had my tonsils removed in November, and have since healed wonderfully. I haven't had a serious sore throat since. I have had some weird issues with taste. Initially I couldn't taste anything sweet, but have since regained that. Now I get a chemical-like taste all the time! The only time it goes away is right after I brush my teeth. It's not very strong, but enough to be annoying. Anyone else experience anything like this?

Guest · Guest

Well, I am on day 5 of my recovery and thought that I might throw my two cents in here since I have been reading all of these posts religiously. It has really helped to read about other people's experiences! Ok, here are my thoughts thus far:

Day of the surgery went by in a haze. I just remember trying to drink as much water as possible and keep ice on my neck.

Days 1 and 2 post-op weren't so bad pain-wise, my throat was sore of course, but I kept drinking and icing. I attempted to eat Ramen noodles after learning the hard way that taking Percocet on an empty stomach makes me throw up. Yech!

Days 3,4, and 5 have shown a steady increase in my throat and ear pain, but really, it's not *that* bad. I keep taking my meds and have experimented with eating different foods: Jello, pudding, scrambled eggs, soup, Ramen, Italian ice, popsicles, etc.

Right now the back of my throat is all coated with a thin white scab membrane and my uvula is freaking huge! When I lay down to sleep, I have to sleep on my side in order to breathe through my nose- otherwise my uvula flops in the way. Ewww. I naturally end up breathing through my mouth which dries everything out and is kind of painful when I wake up.

It's still kind of laborious to talk for long periods of time and I do get tired easily so I have been taking little naps throughout the day.

So here are my suggestions:

1. Drink as much water as you possibly can to stay hydrated and heal faster. Drink all day and all night. I keep a water bottle by my nightstand that I chug from when I wake up during the night.

2. Ice your neck for the first 48 hours. Not only did it help ease my pain, I really think it helped reduce swelling in my neck as well.

3. Do NOT skip your pain medication, even if you think you are feeling better. Make a meds schedule and stick to it. I had to take antibiotics three times a day and Percocet every 4 hours so I would actually set my alarm for 4 in the morning to take a Perc (and chug some water).

4.Chew gum! It seems to help with the ear pain and encourages swallowing. I like Juicy Fruit.

5. If you can stand hot foods, I suggest good old Ramen noodles. They are super soft and slightly salty which helped soothe my throat. I was eating them without a problem by Day 2.

Would I go through the surgery again? ABSOLUTELY.

agreendc · Newbie Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I'm thinking about having my tonsils removed. I am 23 y/o and I have sleep apnea and I don't want to spend the next 50 years using a CPAP.
My right tonsil is swollen to about at my uvula however there is no pain, but other than that and the sleep apnea I have no complaints.

I'm just wondering if people think its worth it, I'm not worried about the pain, just about the possible loss of taste.

Does anyone here know a ball-park figure for the cost, my health insurance only cover 80% and I am a student so I don't have a lot of money.

Thanks for the help.

goofyme · Newbie Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Guest · Guest

I am 31 years old and 10 days post-op. My story is not the norm at all. I was sick for a month prior to having the surgery done. I had tonsillitis and a sepsis infection. In total from the month before the surgery until today I have lost 32lbs. Eight of those are post-op.

Day one: My surgery took an extra 40 minutes. My tonsil on the left side was wrapped into the muscle and up in the ear canel. The DR said it was the worst he had ever seen. When I woke up I felt and looked like I had been beaten up. I spent the night in the hospital. Recieved Demeral every 3 hours via IV. I was able to drink broth and eat some Jello. I had trouble with the jello going into my nose. I was instructed to drink ice water but the cold was a problem for me. I allowed the water to warm to room temp.

Day two: The ear pain on the left was the worst pain I have ever felt. The Dr. upped my dose of Demeral and allowed me to stay the night again. Again I was able to drink broth and jello again. Still drinking room temp water.

Day three: I was discharge mid-morning to my mother-in-laws care. My husband is away and I have 4 children. This is where my troubles began. I was discharged with a script for antibiotics and liquid lortab. I never questioned the nurse that handed me the paperwork. Filled the script and went home. I was in so much pain from my left ear that I went right to sleep. I took my liquid lortab every 3 hours. I did not eat or drink anything from the point I left the hospital until 48 hours later.

Day four: I slept. No water and no food. Liquid lortab and antibiotics only.

Day five: Same as day 4. The pain was horrible and I was waiting for the next dose within an hour of taking the first dose.

Day six: My husband who is out of state became concerned after my son told him I had not left the chair in 2 days. At this point I was out of pain meds. I started drinking room temp water and broth.

Day seven: I was standing at the sink after filling my cup. I took a small sip of water and passed out from the pain. I decided it was time to see the DR. I had no energy at this point. Getting to the DR was an ordeal. The minute he saw me he was concerned. Upon inspection he found that I had a throat infection that spread into my ear and nasal passage. On top of this I also had thrush. The thrush was what was making the pain so much worse. It turns out that when I was discharged from the hospital I was given the childs dosage of antibiotics. It was not enough to help me. I was able to talk the Dr out of putting me back in the hospital. I would have jumped at it in a heart beat but having 4 kids at home I didn't feel it was a good idea. I was given meds for the thrush, an adult antiobiotic, and Percocet for the pain.

Day eight: I started to feel a bit better. I was able to drink a yogert smoothie and room temp water.

Day nine: I had more energy. Cottage cheese was added to my water diet and went over well. Yogert smoothies do really well. I tried gatorade but it burns. My MIL drove me to Kindergarten roundup for my youngest daughter. I had a bit of trouble with this. The school gym was cool but I was sweating like I was in hell. Over doing it is not recommended. I also do not recommend crying at all. It was very painful and caused a lot of mucus. Which caused me to cough.

Day ten: I was back in my own home this morning and felt almost normal. The pain is controlled as long as I do not miss a dose of pain meds. I can tell that the thrush is going away. My ear pain has decreased. I'm still very tired but things are looking up.

My biggest recomendation is that you have someone who will really take care of you for the whole first week. Not just someone to stay with you.

Another would to to make sure you have the right scripts before leaving the hosiptal.

Roshops · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

I'm on day 9 today and there have been ups and downs. I have to say that I am thankful that I took control of my own health and life. I think I really lost myself the past 9 months being sick w/at least 5 documented cases of strep throat, so fatigued- I was like a hollow shell of myself just walking through life and I didn't even know it. I feel so much creativity trying to pour out of me and really wanting to be a part of this wonderful world! It's like a second chance at life. Smile

Not sure if anyone else has felt like this but I certainly never expected it!!

Sucking on ice chips is still my #1 companion for both fluids and pain relief. I have 2 alarms on my cell phone that I set consistently. Still putting a sock full of ice around my neck and found it actually helps me sleep better. Just had well cooked mac n cheese and hot dog cut up tiny. I have gained weight and I'm ok with it! Continuing with LorTab which controls the razor blades in my throat that began yesterday. Twice a day I put 5ml hydrogen peroxide plus 5ml water in my medicine spoon and gargle very lightly to clear out the back of my throat, then softly brush my teeth. I haven't attempted once to look at the condition of my throat because I figure it will heal in time no matter what it looks like.

Good luck to everyone who has made the decision to have their tonsils out! Be prepared and confident and it will see you through!

Robyn

--Update for 5/2/08--

After my amazing epiphany on day #9 (maybe it's just the drugs?!), day #10 turned out to be the worst day of pain since surgery on the 23rd. Can no longer tolerate anything cold or even cool. Water alone feels like razor blades on the right side, which is where the doctor had to dig in deep to remove all of that tonsil. I had gained about 4 lbs the first 5 or so days post-op. I've now lost that plus one more as of this afternoon. I called the on-call dr at the ENT speciality in tears around 5:30pm and was told I just had to finish toughing it out. Boy did I cry some more. Then got a grip and took more pain meds.

--Update for 5/3/08--

Today was day #11 and am still taking the hydrocodone although have cut down considerably (am wondering if being prescribed 4 tsp every 4-6 hours was too much for me anyway). Am now taking 1 to 1.5 tsp every 3-4 hours and at least a 2 tsp dose once. Am using the lidocaine/mylanta/benadryl mouthwash every 2-3 hours. It still hurts really bad. I really thought I would be out of the woods by day 10 and instead I'm still in hell!! Still keeping the ice filled sock around my neck to help with swelling and pain at least 4x/day. Only drinking warm tea and an occasional sip of water. My parents took pity on me and took me out into public (my first time out!) which helped my spirits. If I must include a positive note, my left tonsil incision/stitches must be doing pretty good.

What to expect following adult tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy?

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