Adult Tonsillectomy- Follow Up? - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

buki · 02-09-2004, 09:49 PM

I'm 36, about to have what's probably a long overdue tonsillectomy. Surgery is Wednesday morning. Doc's office indicated no follow-up appointment is necessary unless I suffer complications. Is this normal? I'm scheduled to fly cross-country 10 days after the surgery. Should throat be checked beforehand to make sure healing properly? Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks.

MandyAnne26 · 02-10-2004, 06:03 AM

If you haven't already you should bring up the fact that you are going to be flying 10 days after surgery. My son had his tonsils out at 6 years old, he went for a follow up 2wks after surgery. According to the doctor and nurses i delt with durring my sons operation at 10 days you are at high risk for bleeding (because the scabs are starting to fall off). Just make sure you drink lots of water, you tend to get dehydrated while flying so no alcohol or caffiene, stick to water or juice(bring your own because from my experience with flying they tend to be quite stingy with the drinks). If your throat gets dry your more likely to have scabs fall off before they are ready and that would increase your chances of bleeding. Other than that i don't know what to tell you.

alleycat · 02-10-2004, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buki

I'm 36, about to have what's probably a long overdue tonsillectomy. Surgery is Wednesday morning. Doc's office indicated no follow-up appointment is necessary unless I suffer complications. Is this normal? I'm scheduled to fly cross-country 10 days after the surgery. Should throat be checked beforehand to make sure healing properly? Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Hey Im 18 and recently had a long overdue tonsilectomy as well. However that is not normal. My ENT told me it is important to have a follow up visit within 2 weeks expecially if you are older.

brookie monster · 02-10-2004, 12:48 PM

Hi there. I had my tonsills taken out when I was 24. I don't want to scare you, but it was a very painful recovery process. I had to go back to my ENT doc. several times. I was laid out completely for 2 weeks, and pretty slow for a total of a month. Is your trip totally necessary? Did you tell your doctor about your trip? I know the surgery affects everyone differently, but keep in mind it is pretty hard on your body. I would try to take it easy and let yourself heal for as long as you can. The reason why I asked if your trip was necessary is because when I got mine taken out I was a flight attendant, and I wasn't cleared to go back to work for one month! Check with your Doc! Good Luck!

baseballmom777 · 02-10-2004, 04:21 PM

I had my surgery this past Friday, I am 38. The ENT wants to see me back in 2-3 weeks for follow up. He said more towards 3 weeks. I am also flying across country on the 21st. That would give me 15 days post op. I told him I was going when we scheduled the surgery. Bleeding would be the only concern. It I was away he said he couldn't help me. Well if it were in the middle of the night I would go to the ER and another doctor would cauterize it then. My ENT isn't going to get out of bed and drive over. Plus my doctor was old. As he puts it he is at the end of his career. I felt very comfortabel hearing that while they were prepping me for surgery. I told him to stop talking because I was going to have a heart attack. Everyone is different. I couldn't believe nobody from his office has called me to see how it is going. My kids orthodontist called them the next day to see how they were doing when he first started expanding their pallets.

Good Luck! You will be glad you did it. I am ok as long as I am on the meds. I take the liquid demerol every four hours and in between that I take 2 Tylenol. I feel great. The meds help you feel nothing not even hunger. Sometimes I forget to pee, because I don't feel the urge unless I get up and move around. I went back to work today (I work p/t as a bookkeeper) not strenuous work. My coworkers and boss were amazed how good I looked and talked. I got bored sitting here sleeping.