I am 20 years old and am getting my tonsils out in about a week or two (the date hasn't been scheduled yet). I have had strep and tonsillitis 6 times since January of this year, causing me to miss a lot of class and be miserable. So not having this surgery isn't really an option.
I have been doing a lot of research online about the procedure, the aftermath, etc... and have read basically every single post in this forum, trying to get a good feel for what to expect. My last bout of tonsillitis that I have just recently got over was pretty bad, I couldn't talk, eat, swallow water, or sleep comfortably for about 5 days straight, along with a fever for about 2-3 days, and intense ear pain.
I am still scared out of my mind after reading all of the posts and seeing pictures... the idea of the scabs falling off and the possible bleeding scares me the most. And also it seems that most everyone had problems with their pain meds working well enough to help with the pain... Scary and sucky!
I have had one other surgery, but the pain meds I had (lortab) helped me get through almost pain free.

I am really curious about the people who are a couple of months out of this ordeal. Is everything back to normal for the most part? Swallowing and eating normal food?
I like spicy food... how is spicy food a couple of months out?
And is there any problems with food getting caught still?
And... as much as I hate to say this... I do like to have an OCCASIONAL cigarette (when Im not sick of course)... does anyone know of anything with that? (And please don't get on me for that question... I'm a college student majoring in Biochem/Molecular Bio, so I have a lot of stress, and like I said, its occasional (and yes, I know all the bad things about smoking)).
And for all of this, I am asking about a couple of MONTHS out. About how long was it before things could be resumed as normal?

Sorry this was so long! But I would REALLY appreciate any insight and comfort anyone can provide!! :)