Adult Tonsillectomy Post Op

Don't believe everything you read and/or hear. The (normal) recovery stage is 7 to 10 days. Like any other surgery, there is always a risk of complications. Just know that it IS going to be VERY painful a few days after surgery, sometimes especially the 3rd and 4th day out. Try to get down as much fluids as possible. Jell-o, broth, pop-sicles, push-ups :-), will help with hunger. Stay on top of the pain meds tho because waking up in horrible pain waiting for more meds to kick in may be excruciating. Set an alarm to remind you ahead of time. Not sure about eating ANY solid foods until you are SURE you are ready. Foods could tear the scabs off and cause bleeding. And please have someone with you at all times. Pain meds taken more than needed can cause breathing complications or aspiration could occur if bleeding starts and you are too asleep from the meds to know the difference. Have someone check on you often!!

Ihave had my tonsils out 5 weeks ago, would not recommend this op to any adult so think again if you have a choice. It has been harrowing to say the least. I too suffered bleeding on day 5 and was rushed back into hospital and was very very scared,as was my husband who had to see the amount of blood loss. I am still not recovered have no taste have a choking feeling at the back of my throat and have some kind of problem with the soft pallete on the roof of my mouth. There is more problems at night as I have a feeling of mucus dripping down into my throat. I posted as I want to know if anyone else had the same problem and how long it takes to be back to normal?

I am 22 and I am currently on day 9 after my tonsillectomy. On day 5, in the early morning I experienced intense nausea which lead to violent vomiting (later discovered the nausea was caused by blood dripping into the stomach) . Up to this point I had only been drinking liquids and popsicles- but the vomit burned due to the medication I had taken. Hours later, when I started to feel better, I made a bowl of mashed potatoes to eat. After three bites, I felt an immense amount of warm liquid running down my throat. Turns out that the vomiting that morning had loosed the scabs in the back of my throat. Eating the mashed potatoes was just enough to knock them off, which ruptured an artery in my throat. In seconds, blood was pouring out of my throat in large amounts. Then 2-3 inch blood clots started to form in my throat. It was suddenly becoming difficult to breathe- the clots were forming around my teeth and throat like a sealant. I began to pull out the clots and the bleeding continued. I went to the ER where I lost control of my bladder and my entire body. I went into convulsions before passing out. Eventually the artery was cauterized and my stomach was pumped to remove all the blood. This was by far one of the most terrifying experiences I have ever had. I thought I was dying, and if I had not removed the clots it is very likely that I could have. I found out later that others who experience this rare complication have died or suffered brain damage. I feel very fortunate. I had the tonsils removed because of annoying tonsil stones- and at this time in my recovery I would rather have dealt with a lifetime of tonsil stones then endure that again. I realize this is rare, but be warned and be prepared for the worst! And never EVER be alone after surgery- you never know what could happen. If someone wasn't there with me- it is very likely I could have died.  

I have the same post op complications that you mention - did it ever go away? Especially the choking feeling and mucus dripping. UGH. It's been over a month....thanks,

I am 4 weeks out from my tonsillectomy. 36yo female. I still have some soreness in my tongue, my ears still feel sore when I swallow, and things still taste funny. All to be expected according to my follow up. Here are the things I have learned that may help others:

If they give you meds, TAKE THEM
If you have problems with the taste, try swallowing a spoon full of Cool Whip first. Unlike whipped cream it leaves a slight coating on the tongue and helps mask the taste.
If they give you pills as well as liquid, put the pills in a spoon full of Cool Whip or apple sauce or something else easy to swallow. Eases them past a very sore throat.

The doctors told me that the sore throat would be like the worst sore throat I had ever had. He had no idea. Compared to the repeated strep infections since I was 14...this was a cake walk. I did have some vomiting around day 6 but got that worked out by adjust when meds were taken in relationship to food. (Had to stagger the anti nausea meds and the narcotics and food.)

I'm 19 years old and I am on my third day post-op! I had my tonsils removed on December 26th, the first two days were absolutely horrible! I was in a lot of pain and could hardly swallow my own saliva.  But tonight it's about 11:00 and I just had a dose of Children's Strawberry (Walgreens) Tylenol and I am feeling great! Yes, I feel fine! I can't believe I said it! I never thought I would and tomorrow may be different! Not to mention 4 weeks ago, I had an emergency appendectomy that I'm still recovering from. Anyway, I was absolutely terrified reading other people's posts, everyone was in such rough shape! But, misery loves it's company, but I'm here to tell you that you will be okay!!!!! Drink until your eyeballs float! It will keep you in better shape and your throat will stay moisturized, also, keep a humidifier going. 

Also, the best advice I can give anyone who is anticipating a tonsillectomy- have somebody to take care of you around the clock that will force you to drink, eat on ice chips, and take your medication... In other words, GO HOME TO YOUR MAMMA!

Hello, I am 23yr female, I had my tonsils removed do to ongoing tonsillitis, it just would not go AWAY! At first when my Dr.  told me that I would have to have surgery I was a little afraid.  But I did a lot of research and talked to a few people that I knew also had the surgery and I began to feel more comfortable. 

I had my surgery on Friday the Jan 4th 2013, I think the worst part was waiting for the surgery to begin, and going into the surgery room.  They had me lay on a table, I was freaking out, I told the nurse I was scared and I began to cry, she held my hand and talked to me calmly giving me words of encouragement until I fell asleep.  When I woke up, I woke up in a panic, I felt as if I could not breathe and I was swaying my arms like I was batting a fly.... My nurse again helped me stay calm and I left my state of panic. 

The best advice I can give anyone directly after surgery, Is when they give you an option of ice chips, water or Popsicle.... DRINK THE WATER.. I drank 6 cups of ice water before I left and it felt AMAZING! The cold really helps.  When I got home the first day I did drink a lot of water, I tried some ice cream but I noticed that the Cream made my mucus thick which made me gag and was harder to swallow.  So I recommend water and Popsicles, I could not open my mouth far enough to have a Popsicle in my mouth, so I squished it like it was ice cream and put it in a bowl! 

I did have an issue with nausea, I told my Dr. and he gave me something for it that dissolved in my mouth. It really helps, If anyone is afraid to puke, DEFINITELY ask for something! 

Keeping your mouth clean is also important, I didn't brush my teeth the first day, but the second I did, I just did it face down to the sink, and with minimal tooth paste... dont brush like you normally would, and definitely do not gargle, just do it soft, your body will tell you what you can handle.

  Try not to eat food stick with liquid, I know it is hard, because I tried... I ended up ripping a lil hole in my mouth... I tried to eat potato salad.. thought it would be soft enough.  I did however eat mashed potatoes with gravy, and its very moist so it helps... I recommend eating cold the first few days tho.. I made myself sick by eating warm foods and but a lot of stress on my mouth. 

All in all I think the surgery will be worth it in the end. Having tonsillitis for 6months was far worse then this... Only thing that is really difficult to deal with is the scab growing because it smells... again brushing teeth helps... I also found mouth wash with no alcohol, nothing that would burn, Biotene    

Advice: When you are dry  and are in a lot of pain, I found it VERY helpful to take a shower and sit in the steam.  I used a straw to drink... I found mucinex liquid that helped with my saliva being thick... Get a slushie! 

It's not recommended for anyone post OP to take a hot shower or sitting in the steam. The high temperature will cause your blood to flow faster , hence increase the risk of post OP bleeding.

Long , hot shower is definitely NOT good after tonsillectomy.

p.s. Do not use straw as well , straw suction will create a pressure in your mouth and that is the last thing you want. Just drink from cups or bottles like normal , small sip at a time is better than using a straw.

I am happy to read the post from the girl who did really well after surgery. I need Tonsil Surgery & already suffer from mild anxiety so reading these horrible stories of what people went through scares me a lot. I meet with a specialist (3rd one) on Monday. I met with one last year who said I did not need them out & said my throat problems was acid reflux related. So I have been on a special diet since last year-avoiding anything that would cause acid which is a lot. Then I had an Endoscopy done Oct 2012 to make sure the constant sore throats & acid did not do damage to my throat. I have been on antibiotics 12x in 2012 & my dr. insists I need my tonsils out. My throat has been so bad over the last few years that it has brought me to the ER 2x. now my 

biggest problem is that i'm getting immune to the antiobiotics & my strep throat is not responding-I've been sick for a month & dropped 8lbs. My sickness has affected me at work b/c I can't be out during the 3 month busy season (jan-march) of course when you would be prone to getting strep. My medical bills are crazy. I will see what the doctor says Monday but I'm not taking this lightly after reading all the things that can go wrong. I wish I had problems like this when I was younger so I could have had them out. I am 37. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories. 

So I too just had a T&A at age 19 on Monday (today is now Thursday). My surgeon told me the 3rd day would be the worst and it truly was. The first two days were definitely difficult and it hurt to swallow. The third day was pure torture. I wanted to cry but really couldn't. I just stayed in bed thinking about how miserable I was. This morning I woke up feeling much better! It definitely still is uncomfortable to swallow but nothing like it was! Food is still a struggle for me. Mostly mashed potatoes, some pasta, and I even was able to get some dumplings down! The taste is awful truly. It's a constant reminder of everything going on in your throat. At this point I'm more hungry than anything though. Be sure to sleep as much as possible and definitely drink as much as you can! I really believe that I am doing so well today because I have forced myself to drink so much! I haven't really been taking my pain medication either (hydrocodone) because it made me nauseous so I've been doing either liquid children's Tylenol or nothing at all. Ice packs are a savior!! Hold them to your neck for as long as you can! I have been all day just to be sure that my swelling doesn't get out of control. Lots of good movies if you can, computer games (king's quest 7), and books! I have yet to brush my teeth (ew gross I know) but I'm still scared to. I'm also afraid of the bleeding although that hasn't happened to me yet & hopefully won't. Remember everyone: DRINK DRINK DRINK DRINK! Apple juice, water, Popsicles! Stick to those and ice packs and you should be feeling better soon!

One of my best childhood friends died a month after her 30th birthday following a routine tonsillectomy. 

My husband is 45 and had the surgery for sleep apnea which included a tonsillectomy, removal of adenoids, base of the tongue and also removal of nasal polyps with the assistance of a DaVinci robot. I have never seen him in so much pain as I did after he returned to his hospital bed. To make matters worse, he has a reaction to narcotics that makes him jittery and almost combative. Because he has a mechanical heart valve he is on blood thinners and remained in the hospital for 4 days following the procedure to get his blood to a therapeutic level for the heart valve. It was a blessing that he had to stay because without the IV pain meds, I don't think he could have handled the pain. He was finally released from the hospital and 2 days later woke up in the middle of the night spitting up bright red blood. I raced him to the ER and before I knew it he was in critical condition in the ICU losing blood faster than they could replace it. It was horrifying and to make matters worse his lazy ENT never came to see him and instead had a GI doc come in and perform an endoscopy thinking he may have developed a bleeding ulcer from the pain meds. Because he was so heavily sedated to keep him from spitting up the blood, he had to endure the scope in his ICU hospital room with no anesthesia and I could hear him screaming from the hall. The GI doc immediately came out of the room to inform me that before even getting the camera to his stomach he saw a vessel behind where his tonsils were removed and could see the blood pulsing out of it as his heart beat.  They immediately called the LAZY ENT and told him to get his ass to the OR to repair this bleed. I shutter to think if I hadn't begun to demand action what would have happened if he had lost anymore blood. He was in ICU for 3 days after the repair and another 3 in PCU. He is now home and recovering but now having lots of jaw pain and we have found out that because of the mouth gag that they use to pry the mouth open to perform the surgery, it can sometimes leave a patient suffering from TMJ. We thought that by having this surgery and relieving him of sleep apnea he would be able to have the energy to exercise and therefore lose weight, a life changing surgery. I think we both agree now that we should have sought out a good diet or personal trainer before enduring this nightmare. I think the docs should tell adults especially that there is a lot of risk and pain associated with this surgery. They made it sound like a simple procedure to the extent that most patients return home the next day. I could not imagine that.

One of my best friends died in December 2012 after having a tonsillectomy. The doctors and research does not validate the complications or negative results accurately for adults who are thinking of getting this surgery. Devastating decision!!! Be Cautious of you decisions, It could cost you your life and your family/friends horrible anguish!

I'm 19 years old and I had my tonsils out 6 days ago. I cannot keep anything down. Even when I don't take my pain meds. I've lost 15 pounds in 6 days because lack of nutrition and food. My face is starting to sink in because of no nutrition. I've stayed hydrated and I'm still in horrible horrible pain. I'm so scared. I'm going back to the ER today when my mom gets home. Please PLEASE get your kid tonsils out when they're young. This is a nightmare for me. Projectile vomiting almost everyday when you have nothing on your stomach is horrible.

I went through exactly the same as you! Was truly awful!