had my left tonsil removed at age 60. this is day 23. have read a lot of experiences which helped me understand that it is not an easy recovery and takes longer than the ENT people say. gave me peace of mind that i m taking too long to recover. Day 1 to 4 were a breeze. Ate heaps and everything. Day 5 Throat felt i had a piece of splintered wood .Despite taking painkillers it was ..painful to swallow my own saliva. Ear ache headache jaw pain set in big time accompanied by a burning in my tongue. little relief with different lozenges Day 9 to 15 :Visited GP who prescribed thrust meds.Thrush cleared within 3 days but mouth remained parched that it made it hard to sleep. Still sleeping around 5 hours in 1 or 2 hours installments. Day 16 : parched mouth excess-abating the throat pain. went to chemist who suggested Biotene. great relief from dryness. Day 17 to 23. sleeping longer stretches. hard to swallow and scabs haven't come off yet. Panadols and nurofen alternating every 3 hrs. Have been walking everyday for at least 15 to 2o mins and since after the first week have been going for a drive and a cofe. WHAT I LEARNT : from a person that work in the field and had her tonsils out. that it takes 3 to 6 weeks despite what the ENT people say. Many will still experience sore throat and discomfort even after 6 months and more. WHAT HELPED : other than the usual jelly icey poles mashed food etc. :- coconut water great to keep hydrated. water melon which helps calm the dryness and inflammation in the mouth. Reading others people experiences have been a great help knowing that you are not alone and actual experiences are the truth of what one goes through not what the doctors averages are. Hoping that i will continue to recover though it is a slow process and be all ok in the very near future