I am 66 years old and on day 7 of my recovery from a tonsillectomy. The main reason for the surgery at my age is to get rid tonsil stones.
First and fore most I was really ready for the surgery and had a positive attitude toward recovery and I think this helped so much.
I read all about the surgery and recovery, I stockpiled the foods and drinks that were mentioned in the blogs.
I use alternative medicines every day and have had for years so in addition to prescribed meds from my doctor I added some of my tried and true alternative meds.
Here is a list of things that helped me so much:
Colloidal Silver – I could not believe that no one else mentioned this. I sprayed it in my mouth/throat and ears all the time. Make sure that you have the 30 ppm Silver Solution. This is something you should keep on hand all the time – works for all ages even babies. Read up on it.
Young Living Oils – I rubbed my body and throat with oils as well as infused them into the air I breathed. On line under Young Living Oils you can find a pain remedy that you can mix up and use that after surgery. Very soothing and it works. I rubbed my stomach and throat chakras with oils also.
For my immune system I took NingXia Red by Young Living and Aloe Vera.
I used Pure Energy chips and Pure Relief chips when I needed an extra boost. The chips are made by CieAura.
I used an old technique: Supplies – a piece of flannel cloth, a bottle of castor oil and a heating pad. Put the oil on the flannel (it must be flannel) and place on the area you want to work on, then add heating pad for only 20 minutes at a time. Reapply whenever you want to –it felt good on the ears too.
Coke is a wonderful thing first thing in the morning with lots of ice – seems to get things moving. Goofy!
Add oatmeal to pudding to make it go down your throat very easy.
Later 4 to 5 days after surgery nice hot teas or coffee feels really good.
I drink lots of ice water which feels so good.
I have run the humidifier non -stop since surgery.
Keep up the blogs they are helping so many people. Try not to focus on the extremely negative ones. This surgery was not the worst thing I have ever experienced but I am grateful I never have to do it again!
I am turning 20 years old in 2 weeks, and I got my tonsils out on Wednesday, May 1st. From age 5 or so, I have had cronic tonsilitis, visiting my doctor 3-4 times a year for it. Throughout the years, I've become immune to some antibiotics, and the last two years of tonsilitis cases I had to be prescribed oral thrush medicine on top of my antibiotics because of being on antibiotics so often. Literally the only time I have ever seen my doctor (except a few times) has been for tonsilitis. It was getting rediculous. FINALLY my doctor recommended me to a throat specialist. The specialist took one look at my tonsils and said, "Oh my, WHY do you still have those?" They were twice the normal size and had craters/holes in them. He said the surgery went really well, that I barely bled and that it was one of the easiest/quickest tonsillectomies he has ever performed on someone near my age. That made me feel a little better. I didn't feel any pain at all after I woke up; a combination of the local numbing and pain pills. The only thing I noticed was my throat felt like there was thick mucus stuck in the back of it. Before I left the hospital I had some vanilla pudding, applesauce, and a few bites of mashed potatoes. It all went down super easy, no pain. From the time I woke up, I immediately started downing ice water. My doctor said the more you drink, the faster/easier you will heal.
I am staying at my mom's house through my recovery. It's a HUGE help to have people with you helping you through it. By the time I was ready for bed my first night, the numbing was wearing off, and I was already starting to feel miserable. I didn't have an appetite and didnt like the way food felt going down my throat. Because I wasn't eating, I was getting sick from my pain pills. Throwing up is NOT fun with a swollen throat and uvula! My uvula is swollen like 3 times its normal size. I also had a slighttt cough. But it wasn't too bothersome. Also my throat had already coated in white. Probably from all the ice water I had drank that day.
Day 2 was absolutely horrible. I felt so sick, I vomited a few times, swallowing was painful. I laid in bed and cried. I felt like a total baby. I still managed to force ice water down.
Day 3 wasn't as bad. Swallowing still sucked but I didn't feel like I had the flu on top of it. My appetite was coming back a little bit, so getting some food in my stomach really kept the pain meds from making me sick. I was actually starting to see the light at the end of the longggggg dark tunnel. I was gaining confidence. ICE WATER !!
Today is day 4 for me. I am continuing to OD on ice water. The pain is a little more tolerable than yesterday. Drinking and eating the soft stuff is easier. Slight ear pain comes and goes, light headaches, sore tongue and jaw pain. It's all tolerable, nothing I actually want to lay in bed and cry over. I have been taking more Tylenol than my actual pain meds.
I am worried because I've been reading that people are saying the first 4 days are the easiest and then its hell from 5-10, but to me the first 2 days were hell and the past 2 days have been sucky but tolerable..I hope it's not gonna get worse again : (
TIPS:
DRINK DRINK DRINK! Constantly, and by constantly I mean take sips every 10 minutes or so. It's soooo annoying and hurts depending on your pain level that day but it really does help. Ice water has been my best friend. Don't let yourself get dehydrated. And the more you drink, the faster and easier the healing process!
I've noticed that letting small ice chunks melt in your mouth and then swallowing feels good. Anything really cold.
Chewing gum really helps the ear tongue and jaw pain. Also lessens the throat pain a little. I wasn't confident enough to chew gum until day 3. Opening my mouth the first few days was tough. My whole mouth is sore. Don't chew strong gum. I'm chewing some kind of fruity gum by trident. And only half pieces. It's mild.
I sleep with ice packs on my neck. It helps reduce the pain and pressure through your neck.
Have paper or a dry erase board nearby at home when you need to talk to someone. The less you talk, the less inflamed your throat will feel. Texting has truly been my best friend the past 4 days.
I've been told that gargling with MILD salt water helps. I probably wouldn't try that until day 5 or so, depending on how you are feeling. I haven't tried it yet. Also, chicken broth is great for your throat because of the salt in it. It will help it heal and help the pain a little.
To me, food wise, ice cream feels the best. Everyone says stay away from dairy but honestly the mucus hasn't been that bad for me. The popsicles just aren't cuttin it for me. Apple sauce and jello are great too.
Get a humidifier! It's amazing for when you sleep, helping keep your throat semi-moist. And keep water next to the bed. My Mom wakes me up throughout the night to drink. I'd rather have crappy sleep than an extremely dry painful throat.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it just keeps getting better from here, but preparing myself incase it gets bad again.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
hello abbeyd , what about the families of the tonselectomy patients what advice can you give my son is currently on day 5 of post op and i dont know how i can help im constently checing on him trying to have him drink a little but he hates me tellsme his hand to leave and when i do he saids i dont care about him hes 23 years any suggestions hes so misserable
Thanks for sharing to us the inconvenient of having tonsil stones. I guess I should be more cautious from now on then.
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First day after tonsils out, i was just really tired and managed to eat a little. Day two the real pain started, extreme pain and agonising ear ache! Never felt pain like that and paracetamol and codeine did not help. Cried everyday when trying to talk or swallow. Didnt eat for 10 days! after visiting A&E twice! Finally they gave me dispersible aspirin to gargle and mouthwash. After using the aspirin mouthwash i felt very very little pain and could drink and eat again normally almost immediately! Day 11 and i feel great almost back to normal.
What hospital is this? i'm from Philippines too. Thanks
Hello! After multiple cases of severe strep throat, I finally got a tonsillectomy monday morning 12/29. It is now Saturday 1/3, 5th day post-op, 6th day including the surgery. I am a 21 yr old female. I have read multiple cases online and wanted to share mine, for anyone who is looking to go through with the surgery. Unlike a lot of the pretty terrifying stories online, mine thus far definitely seems pretty positive overall.The first three days (two days post-op) for me were the worst, but they weren't unbearable. I slept an hour at a time the first night, but I found sleeping sitting up was important so that I didn't choke on my extremely swollen uvula. I wasn't able to eat substantial food until early the third day. Sure, the pain was pretty bad, but I think the fact I did not stop drinking water helped me the most. And not to mention I was visiting home for the holidays and so I had my mother's help when I needed it. I didn't leave the house until the 4th day post-op, and only left for about 20 minutes. On the 4th day post-op, the worst pain was my ears and jaw. I found that chewing gum hurt at first, but has helped in the long run. Also, I had been putting ice packs on my throat, but heat on my ears and upper jaw. It helped a lot. By today, the 5th day, the pain is super manageable. It's definitely worse in the mornings and at night, but today is nothing compared to how I felt earlier on in the recovery process. I had read everywhere that the pain only gets worse at this point, but I'm relieved it's been the opposite for me!I think when it comes down to it, my recovery has been pretty easy. And here's what I've done:
-Drink water. Even when it hurts. Drink ice water to take down the swelling. But don't stop drinking water. Don't be afraid that there's pain. Just keep drinking.
-Eat as soon as you're able to. I was put on Percocets and antibiotics. Food helped to calm my stomach after taking the meds and it strengthens your immune system. I ate apple sauce, chicken broth, oatmeal, potatoes, etc.
-Have someone around to help.. because it helps! I didn't have to leave my house and I got plenty of rest.
-Rest. Sleep whenever possible, and set alarms to take your meds throughout the night. You don't want to start the day in pain.
-Take your meds. After the 3rd day post-op, I weaned myself off of the Percocets (by only taking them at night) and started taking Tylenol 3 with codeine. It was easier on my stomach. Ask your doctor about it! It's a prescription and it still pretty strong.
-If you're on antibiotics like I am, eat yogurt or take a probiotic. It'll help you feel better and help your digestion.
-Oh and did I say DRINK WATER. Because that's very important. Sucking on ice is great like everyone says, but I'm talking drinking a lot of water.
My recovery hasn't been a nightmare and hopefully yours won't be either! (although, for me, expecting the worst made the outcome a lot more surprising and positive). Best of luck!
how much did you spent for the tonsillectomy?
i just wanna ask, because im about to have my tonsillectomy next week in SLU Hospital in Baguio City, what are the DO's and DON'T after the operation?