I have my tonsiilectomy in 2 days and I am nervous....not so much about the pain but loss of weight due to limited food intake and the risk of bleeding. I am a 41 year old male in good shape, 5'11, 158 pounds (runner). My only issue is a leaking heart valve.

My plan is to drink as much as possible and rest......we'll see how that goes.

Anyone going thru this process please let me know how it is going.

Savard

Chicago, Illinois

Hi Savard,

I wish you all the best for your surgery. I have my surgery 1 week from now.

Take care. I wish you all the best. Let us know when you get home.

Thanks Brian,

I'll post tomorrow night after surgery...I hope I get some good pain meds!

Day 1

My surgery was scheduled for 9:40 a.m. but it was pushed back to 10:50. I asked the doctor if I can have something to calm my nerves before the surgery and he did. I am not sure what it was but it took my worries away. The surgery took about 45 minutes and I woke up in the recovery room around 12:00. My throat was a little sore so I asked the nurse to give me some meds thru the IV. I was in the recovery room for about an hour. During that time I sucked on crush ice and it felt good…really no big deal. I was just happy that surgery was over. After an hour they rolled me to another room where my wife was waiting for me. The nurse gave me 2 popsicles, some ice cream, and a cup of jello. I also had ice water and more crushed ice. The pain was manageable and not really a big deal. Before I left I took some Hydrocodone (it hurt going down) and followed it with some ice cream.

I am keeping to my plan and drinking water and iced Gatorade (sipping). My surgeon told me I should drink 100 ounces of fluids a day….this was based on my weight of 155 pounds. He said drinking is the key to recovery.

The bad news is I am allergic to the anti-inflammatory drug that he prescribes so I am just taking Hydrocodone ever 4 to 6 hours depending on the pain.

I looked in my mouth and it looks nasty. The thing that is in the center of your mouth that hangs down (forgot the name) is big time swollen. I am keeping an ice pack around my neck to help with the pain and hopefully to reduce the swelling.

So far the pain is manageable. On a scale of 1-10 it is a 4 (with meds)….I have limited ear pain. It is hard to talk so I am keeping my mouth shut (my wife likes that)!

I know I am going to have some tough days ahead so I am trying to enjoy today as much as a can.

Savard

HI Savard,

Glad to hear from you. I really am happy to hear that all went OK with you.

DO you know what method the surgeon used?

I hear that its good to keep hydrated so do drink even if it hurts.

I am having mine literally one week from now on NOV 2 a Sunday.

Boy am I nervous, I went for pre-assessment at the hospital and my blood pressure was too high. 129/88. I was nervous for the pre-assessment can you imagine how crazy I will get on the day of the surgery. I might need something to keep me calm.

Even at day time I get anxious. Really feel like my heart is beating too fast about to drop out of my chest.

I am really thinking about this too much.

Hope you have a really fast recovery. Take care.

Brian

I'm on day 2 and things are going well. Last night I didn't sleep well because I wanted to drink every couple of hours to stay hydrated. Also, I wanted to make sure that I took my meds every 4 hours.

My current diet is jell-o, popsicles, and Ensure shakes. My stomach feels good and most importantly my throat pain is limited due to the meds. My throat is still swollen so I ice it every few hours. I will probably try solid foods tomorrow.

Brian: I was really nervous as well a week before the surgery. I kept on reminding myself that having my tonsil removed will increase my quality of life since a get a ton of infections. For me, it has not been that bad as the horror stories on this website. I know I am only on day 2 and once the scabs come off I will probably be in more pain so I have to wait and see.

My surgeon used the Dissection and Snare method. The following discription is from a medical website: (Removal of the tonsils by use of a forceps and scissors with a wire loop called a 'snare' is the most common method practiced by otolaryngologists today. The procedure requires the patient to undergo general anesthesia; the tonsils are completely removed and the skin is cauterized. The patient will leave with minimal post-operative bleeding.)

He said he felt this is the best procedure and reduced post-op pain.

Please feel free to ask any questions.

Savard

HI Savard,

Thanks so much for encouragement.

I hope you are feeling OK. Get lots of rest. I have to keep reminding myself why I am doing this operation as well for a better quality of life and reduce my chronic bad breath. I hope it helps.

Thanks. Let me know how you feel tomorrow.

Take care.

Brian

Today is post op 3 and the pain has increased a little. When I look into my mouth it is almost all white and looks nasty. My diet has not changed but I'm thinking I might try some mashed potatoes tonight. I'm still drinking lots of water/Gatorade and getting my protein from Ensure. Last night I slept well and but I am still waking up every 4 hours for meds. As long as I have the meds the pain is manageable. I have been spending most of my time on the couch watching T.V. and on the computer. So far so good.....

Savard

Hi Savard,

Good to know you are getting better. You give me hope that everything will be OK.

I just wanted to ask you something. I have Chronic bad breath because of hidden tonsil stones. Did you have bad breath before the surgery?

Thanks for you positive feedback.

Hope you have a good day.

Thanks for tips. I will buy some ensure and put in fridge so when I get out I will have it.

Take care,
Brian

I learned something last night......do not miss your medication time slot. I was supposed to take my meds at 12:00 p.m. and forgot to set my alarm. I woke at 3:00 a.m. in big time pain. My throat was burning! It was tough going back to sleep and the pain let up around 5:00 a.m. I notice my throat was a little red on the right side so maybe a little scab came off.

Today is day 4 and the pain is managable. I tried a few spoon full of mash potatoes today and it tasted good. I had a little but more pain but it was worth having solid food. I continue drinking and icing my throat and seems like its working.

Inside my throat looks completely white so I 'm waiting for a couple of big pain days ahead. I think I am heading into the difficult part of the post-op....maybe I'll get lucky and the worst is over;).

Brian: My issue with my tonsils was chronic infections. The infections were very painful and kept me out of work. I am sure your removal will help your situation.

Savard

Hi Savard,

I am gald to hear from you.

I am so so sorry for all the pain you are feeling. Hang in there.

Everything will be OK.

Continue to take your meds. and keep positive it will all be ok.

When you say ice your neck how do you do it. Do you ice the outside as well?

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Take care,

Brian

I'm on day 5 and feel good (I think day 4 was the peak). I slept great last night and the scabs are slowing coming off. Last night I ate mac and cheese with little issues..I just ate them slow. I have had chronic infections in the past and Tonsillectomy has been no worse then one of my previous infections. My Tonsillectomy probably has less pain then one of my infections but it just takes longer to heal. I am planning on going back to work on Monday(10 days after post op) and at the rate I am going I should not have an issue. I 'm glad that so far I have not had any bleeding (not even is speckle). Most people say to switch to warm liquids after day 3 but I prefer cold. I think the cold helps reduce the swelling and speeds up recovery. Today my pain level has dropped...probably a 1/10 on meds. I hope this continues. My plan is to be out with my kids on Halloween.

Brian: I purchased an ice pack at the store and I lay it across the front and side of my throat. My doctor says it would help reduce the swelling.

Hi Savard,

Good to know you are getting better. I am just thinking if you should give it some more time before you go back to work. Maybe another week. Hope your work does not involve any heavy lifting or so.

Take care of yourself. Maybe you could ask your boss for an extra few days or an extra week just to make sure you are fully healed.

Take care,

Brian

I'm on day 6 and doing well. I reduced my pain meds and I noticed I still need them at full strength so I will keep on taking them for a few more days. The scabs continue to come off at a slow pace. When the scabs come off my throat looks raw but I am glad there is no blood. Sleep is still difficult and I can't wait until I can sleep for a full 8 hours. Since my job does not involve any heavy lifting I am planning on returning on Monday unless if I get set-back....I might start off with a 1/2 day.

Brian: Just like you, I was really nervous before the surgery. Remember that a Tonsillectomy is routine for most ENT's and it will go great. I as so glad that I had the surgery....the post-op is nothing compared to the living with diseased tonsils.

Thanks Savard,

I am so happy for you that you are getting better. Keep taking the medications. I wish you all the best really I do.

You really encourage me more than you know to be calm and think about the benefits. I only hope they could just knock me out with sedatives or something as soon as I arrive for the appointment.

Thanks a million Savard.

I really shouldnt worry. Even my MUM is telling me that things will be OK.

Take care of yourself Savard.

Brian

8th day and feeling good. The scabs continue to disappear...I have about 30% left. I'm dealing with the post scab pain but I meds are doing a good job with the relief. I am still eating a liquid diet/soft food. My energy feels great and I actually went out to the store today. Things are looking good and I know the end is near.

Brian: Good luck on Sunday and post a message on the board so we know how you are doing.

Savard

This is post-op day 12 and doing good. I went off the meds on day 10 and the pain is very minor. Still hurts a little when I yawn.

A couple of problem that I had in the last few days were: 1. stopping the meds cold. After stopping the meds I was sick to my stomach for a day and a had a headache (withdrawal). 2. bad taste in my mouth. I can't recall this after surgery but now I have a bitter taste in my mouth....everything tastes bitter (sweets are the worse). I hope this goes away because eating food is not enjoyable. I still have a few scabs left so maybe the bad taste is coming from the scabs.

I see my doctor next week so I will probably make 1 more post.

Brian: I hope you are doing ok.

Savard

HI Savard,

Day 3

I am doing OK. got back home early monday morning. I was glad to be home. I am doing well and recovering. Just taking it easy and resting. I am OK.

Brumnier thanks for your support and kind words. The pain is OK. You are right Brumnier just think positive thats all. Everything will be ok.

Brian

Hey all,

I just got mine removed on November 5th. I was not nervous at all for the surgery.. which is good I guess.

When I woke up in the recovery room, apparently, I had a panic attack and started screaming. I remember having it, I was confused as to where I was. the last thing I remembered was looking at this huge tube thingy with some kind of white liquid in it and a doctor staring at me. It all happened so fast, he had barely injected me with the anesthesia or I was out cold.

after that I remember waking up in my room. and GOD did my throat hurt.

throughout the night it hurt like HELL, I kept asking for a shot.

anyways, the day after, my godmother picked me up and in the evening, I tried eating. I had some soup, which went well I guess. but then all of a sudden it hurt so BAD... I knew something was wrong. she rushed me to the hospital and apparently it was infected! the wound. I couldn't even open my mouth, nothing.

they gave me antibiotics and painkillers and a shot. so now I've been on it for days now... 4/5 pills every 6 hours. the antibiotic they gave me is so gross, every time I take it, it makes me burp, and then i can smell the pill. blegh.

the day after I slept throughout the whole day and I actually felt better. I could ACTUALLY eat. with some effort off course. I had a grill cheese sandwich, and I swear, it took me an half and hour to finish it, haha.

I feel like I can't eat anything without having 4 liters of water nearby.

to make things GRAND, it was my birthday yesterday, and I felt very bad when I woke up, this was Day 4, so I blew out my candles (while holding a Popsicle in my hands) and I seriously forced myself to have some cake. I was like: I am NOT missing my own birthday cake. so.. it worked, I had some.

what I've noticed is, during the day I don't feel THAT bad, it's in the evening and night that I feel horrible.

2 days ago I decided to google it up. I read a lot of stories from other people and then I was like WTF, I got mad at myself for not thinking of doing that BEFORE the surgery. but owh well. some of the stories freaked me out.

1 being the whole " the pain gets worse after so many days and THEN it finally gets better" , I'm not down with that. I'm more of a : let it hurt like a bitch for the first few days and then let it get better,. especially seeing how my ENT told me that every day it would get a lil bit better.

after the first day I kept taking pics of my mouth with my camera and GOD was it GROSS. that's how I realized something was wrong (the day they caught the infection), it was really gross. like GROSS. like grey everywhere and white and nasty. I honestly had a panic attack, I felt like something was growing inside my throat. like this huge nasty THING. (and this is NOT good for someone like me, I am SOOOO mysophobic) my tongue was even all swollen up. I still can't move my tongue properly.. it just... .sits there. it hurts to bring it out of my mouth.

I read somewhere that the worse pain comes around day 5, tomorrow is day 6 for me, so I hope this was it. Cuz I experienced some bad ass pain last night. it was NOT cool.

also, what I was wondering, how does the scabbing look like? how do u know when It's "fallen" off the wound?

am I the only who feels like there is something stuck in my throat? it honestly feels like that ALL DAY LONG.

talking is a bitch at times, thank god I'm home now so I don't have to talk much, seeing as I live alone, but still.
I'm gonna go to my aunt's tomorrow because I just moved in here like a month ago and those damn people haven't delivered my fridge yet, so I don't have anything cold right now :S

I'm gonna get all iced up at my aunt's tomorrow.

anyways, I would love it if anyone could answer my scabs question :)

someone please tell me the worst is over? and WHEN IN GODS NAME CAN I SMOKE AGAIN?

I must admit, I smoked the day after I left the hospital (which was 24 hours after the surgery) but it tasted like nothing . lol then I smoked one more yesterday and that wasn't too bad and I also smoked one today. I thankfully smoke Menthol light's so there not as heavy as regular marlboro's. but I'd still love to know when I can smoke again. (not that I'm a heavy smokeR)

well... any tips are welcome :)

Conchita

When you look in your mouth and you see all the while stuff...that is the scabs. When they fall off you see red skin. For me, the pain occured when the skin was exposed.

It's been less than a month and I feel 100%. I have zero pain and I feel great. Tonsillectomy is not a big deal if you follow the doctors direction. Don't get caught up with all of the bad stories...it only happens to a very small percentage of people.

Good luck to all.....

Savard

hey all

It's been a week and 2 days now, I guess I'm feeling better and better every day, but sometimes it still hurts, I guess cuz all of the scabs havent come off yet, like 99% is gone.

I had lasagna yesterday! which is funny because monday I couldn't even eat the rice and beef teriyaki I made, . but that night it really hurt, that's when most of the scabs came off.

I hope it's over soon!

It's been over 7 months and I feel great! I have not had a sore throat this past winter (first time in years) and really never was sick. I am so happy I had the tonsillectomy. I should have had the surgury years ago!

Savard