Adult Tonsillectomy at 45!!! - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

2catfans · 01-31-2006, 07:23 PM

I am having tonsillectomy in 10 days (2/10/06)!! I was told that I have to re-learn to swallow because food can go up your sinuses. You know, you can get one end of a piece of spagetti through you nose and the other end out you mouth. Is it true? I'm not a fan of pain and I have read some of the post about post op pain. My ENT gave me my post-op pain script, Lortabs, and I have been getting the refills so I have them here waiting for me. I have had chronic tailbone pain for 9 years now and this will be my 12th surgery. I know that the surgery will be good for me in the long run. I always feel run down because my immune system is constantly fighting infection from the food (stones) pieces that get stuck in the "holes" in my tonsils. I just wish this was already over!

Mom22greatkids · 02-02-2006, 08:28 AM

Hi. I had mine removed at 36 years old. I had a great recovery. I was up and feeling much better by day 5. The pain med made me very sick and I switched to extra strength Tylenol liquid. You may want to pick some up just in case. My best advice to you is to drink water, as much as you possibly can. I drank very cold ice water constantly and basically numbed my throat through the recovery. The more you swallow, the less it hurts. I'm not sure about learning to swallow again. I didn't have that problem. You will do fine, and you will be so much happier after you recover! Good luck, and post back on how you are doing if you can.

Titchou · 02-02-2006, 09:19 AM

Have no idea where anyone got suc an idea about food getting in your sinuses. I had mine out at 27 and i"m now 60. Never had this issue. You'll be SO glad you had them out. But let me warn you, you will feel like you were run over by a steamroller. I didn't have that much pain swallowing but just couldn't lift my head fromthe pillow.

2catfans · 02-03-2006, 06:08 PM

Thanks for all the experiences! I've read as much as I can on both of the surgeries (I'm also having my septum repaired) and I beleive that after the first week, I'll be just fine. I'll post after the surgery and let you know how I am.

Titchou · 02-03-2006, 08:23 PM

OOh! Both at the same time??? Yikes! I had them done separately...don't think I would have liked both at once. But they do the septum differently now so maybe it would be OK....let us know!