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Post Tonsillectomy: Uvula healed too low?

By Guest | 68 posts, last post
Mahdi Malekpour, MD answered this Postoperative Care In Tonsillectomy
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Guest

I am now day 18 out from tonsilectomy and all went so well with the procedure (thermal tissue welding instead of cauterizing) where the tonsils came out. So I was so happy to have a less painful recovery. But now I've been feeling a weird feeling in the back upper part of my mouth. So I got the flashlight out and saw that the whole upper soft palate and uvula are sitting lower in my mouth. The uvula now sets on top of the back of my tongue. It's kind of freaky to look at and I'm constantly aware of it. But there's no real pain. I do talk all day at work and that's taxing and I feel more aware (maybe some slight swelling is going on - not sure???). I called the doctors office and the nurse called me back and said the doctor said it was normal and not to worry about it. I am still not real clear if and when this gets better or if I'm expected to adapt to the new position of all of these displaced parts now. I am 49 but pretty healthy and no real complications with tonsilectomy. The reason for the tonsilectomy was that I got frequent Strep and had 2 episodes of abscessed tonsils. Does anyone know if this lowering is due to scar tissue and will go back to its normal location or if I have to live with it forever???
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Guest

Hi.. j was wondering if this ever healed up for you? I am having the same problem
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Guest

No it hasn't. I saw the doctor exactly 4 weeks after surgery and he said "it looks great, healed nicely and very symmetrical". I told him I agreed with that part. However the whole upper area of the soft palate and uvula were now lower (to the point that my uvula now rests on the back of my tongue). He said that many people's uvula touches the tongue. I said that this was never the case for me until post tonsilectomy. All he could offer was that there is still a couple of more weeks expected for total healing time and that he's just not seeing any real issue????? It feels weird and awkward (especially early AM after sleeping several hours) but no pain. I also have had a bad head cold for the past 2 days which doesn't help. It's kind of discouraging because I thought post tonsilectomy days were going to be great. He also warned against any surgery related to the uvula (it's quite painful and long recovery). That's not even a consideration for me now. I may see another ENT doctor after giving it a bit more time to settle down. I'm interested in any information you may have as the doctor was pretty useless. And he did do a great job on the tonsilectomy- no other complications and it was a fairly easy recovery.
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Guest

I exactly feel the same. Im 9 years post tonsillectomy. My tongue curves in the middle so always feel there is opening behind that curve .

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Guest

I had my tonsils out July 13. I am having the same issue. I teach for a living and I am having a hard time saying words especially "whole number" I almost feel like I'm gonna choke. The doc said that I have a long palette but I've noticed that my uvula will sometimes be literally on my tongue. I don't know what to do, even eating soft bread is hard.
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Guest

I did see another ENT doctor and he said that everything was within what is considered normal. He said that my tonsils had acted As struts that held up that soft upper pallet and uvula area and now that they are gone that area isn't supported like it used to be and even millimeters may feel awkward. He said I should notice it less and less as time goes on - it's been 8 months. I do still notice it especially when my allergies act up and sometimes during workouts in the gym . It has improved for sure but definitely not the same as it was before my tonsils were removed. I am living with it, and it did get better (just not 100%). But it does get better with time for sure.
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Guest

I totally agree with this. THE TONSILS ACT AS STRUTS AND KEEPS THE PALATE AND UVULA IN POSITION a little bit higher above tongue base. I had mine removed 9 years ago but the weird problems now i face is , i cant gargle properly. Water goes up to nose and comes out. I lost it. Then there is not enough pressure to completely swallow throat mucus or water. Feels like my throat cant seal / close completely after swallow. ENT said my upper sphincter muscles are weak. Also i lost my gag reflex. Im a germaphobic as well. I cant bear any bad odours as if it sticks to my throat and i eat them.yuck. Having a hard life for 9 yrs after tonsillectomy. I advise no one get it done unless you have serious complications . I had anethesia awareness through suregy the pain was excruciating but im totally paralysed during surgery. It was a nightmare. Life sucks as my everyday routine is hard. Dont do tonsillectomy unless its serious ..

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Guest

I have the same problem, did you end up fixing it somehow?
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Carrie

Hey all.....I am 3 months past my surgery (52 years old) and still feel dryness in the area of where my adenoids used to be. Also, my pallet and uvula hang low as well. I have read that it could take up to a year to fuly recover. Now that a year has gone by for most of you, could you please update me. Thank you!
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Guest

The same exact thing happened to me. I’m constantly gagging and slurring. It’s horrible.
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awake fiberglass

I just realized this post is 13 years old. I’m going through it myself. 6 months post op still very uncomfortable. My tongue is irritating my uvula and soft palate. Can’t taste some things etc. please tell me it gets better.
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Guest

hi My name is Sharon , i had my tonsillectomy 21st July 2022 , after having them out on the 5th day i had a clot form at the back of my throat which burst also i had a bleed and was re admitted for a 2 day stay back in hospital ,so its been just about 2 months , i am having the sample problem were my throat looks good but my pallet is lower and is making me gag when i brush my teeth or chew anything or lick the front of my teeth with my tongue , it was that bad i went to accident and emergency dept , they have refereed me back to the hospital for review , would like to know if any one else as had the same thing and if there as been any improvement

_removed_

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Guest

Just wondering how everyone is now? Did the low soft palate and uvula resolve itself?
I am 2 months out from a tonsillectomy and having the same problem, I feel suffocated with lack of air moving through. It's horrendous!
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Guest

Just wondering how everyone is now? Did the low soft palate and uvula resolve itself?
I am 2 months out from a tonsillectomy and having the same problem, I feel suffocated with lack of air moving through. It's horrendous!
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Guest

I'm wondering the same thing...did the issues resolve themselves. I'm 3 months post-op and having the exact same issues. Along with low soft palate and uvula, I'm still having issue with food tasting HORRIBLE!
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