Tonsils out in October - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

jag338 · 09-06-2006, 08:19 PM

Hi, I am a 32 yr old who is having her tonsils out in October. My major concern is I have hard time with anesthia and pain medicine. Coedine, percocet, and vicodan all make me violently ill. Is the pain completely unbearable with taking anything? I want to avoid pain meds as much as possible. I had shoulder surgery last year and due to the anestetic and pain meds couldn't eat solid food for three days. Also what are good things to eat post surgery? Any idea what the average weight loss has been? I am taking a week out of work is this enough? Sorry for the twenty questions I'm just trying to ease my nerves. This board has been great.

SDKing · 09-06-2006, 10:34 PM

Well that is a tough one, because most of us will tell you the saving grace of the surgery was having the pain meds... As far as not eating solid foods...don't worry...you won't be eating anything really solid for a few days after the surgery and definately not from Day 4 - 10ish.

Search the posts there should be one specific for types of food to eat, and everyone posted some good stuff there.

The average weight loss is anywhere from 10 - 20 pounds. I personally didn't go back to work until Day 12. So I missed 6 work days. Some people were back on Day 10, it really depends on how you feel. Trust me, you'll underestimate the situation by a long shot. I foolishly thought I would be in the office 5 days after the operation...haha, was I wrong!

Also, read the post about what to expect. There is a guide somewhere around here that you should look at too.

mkgbrook · 09-08-2006, 08:24 AM

I reposted LisaMP's Guide yesterday.

As far as pain management. My son was 3 when he had his out, 3 months ago. Plain tylenol and anti-biotics was all he took orally. During the period where his ears began to pain him... we used Octicaine ear drops. These are non-systemic lydocaine based ear drops and require a prescription from your doctor. They helped tremendously with the ear and jaw pain during the de-scabbing (?I think I just made up a word

) process. Anyway, you can try tylenol and these ear drops, but don't turn down the heavy stuff; when those scabs start coming of you will be in for a rough ride.

Good Luck. I will be having my own T&A in October as well... with a bonus endoscopic sinus window insertion in all of my sinus cavities. I hope that the sinus window insertion is a walk in the park compared to the T&A.

Respectfully Yours,
MG

jag338 · 09-09-2006, 07:13 AM

Thanks for all the great advice. I am so glad I found this board. My dr. didn't tell me anyhting to expect so am happy to know ahead of time.