2nd day after tonsillectomy and feeling good - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

zero_0 · 04-05-2007, 11:42 PM

Hi, I'm 23 male and healthy and fit, although I have been a smoker for about 4 years (until now). I've suffered tonsillitis all my life, especially in the last few months where i've experienced some of the worse pain ever with tonsillitis. I had a tonsillectomy exactly two days ago and I've so relieved that I won't get tonsillitis again. The thing that suprises me, though, is the very little pain I've experienced so far after reading all the horrible stuff in this forum and hearing from my friends how terrible I will feel.

This morning my throat did hurt to swallow but it stopped after I had a 500mg paracetamol tablet before breakfast (along with antibiotics and anti-inflamatory tablets as instructed). I've been able to eat muesli, corn chips, stir fry with beef strips and veges, toast, lasange, bread, and muffins with hardly any pain at all. These are all the foods I usually eat, and it's what my doc recommended - to follow a normal diet following tonsillectomy ASAP.

I'm not smoking cigarettes because I think its a bad idea at the moment, and i'll try not to for at least two weeks. Talking hurts now and then, or if when I don't talk for a few hours. I can drink orange juice, apple juice, tomato juice, ... but I'm not touching alcohol for at least a few weeks. I can even have salty potato chips like I mentioned before, and it just feels a little tender, i'm just careful and slower when I swallow.

I feel good. I went for a slow 10 minute walk last night (after about a day) and for another one just about half an hour ago. I would take it easy doing physical stuff. I usually surf a few times a week and go for regular walks and play soccer now and then, but I felt a little weak going for a short walk last night and today, so, I wouldn't over do it...

Where my tonsils used to be (heheh, **** yeaH), there's this thick whitish layer which my doc said is completely normal. By the way, I stayed overnight at the hospital. He said that scabby stuff will start to break off after around 5 to 7 days, so he said expect the pain to get worse. Pain? I'm thinking, "What pain?"

In a nutshell, It's the second day after having my tonsils out and I'm eating and drinking things that I normally eat, besides alcoholic, highly acidic or spicy stuff. Talking hurts slightly and the pain is mainly noticeable in the morning and late at night, but otherwise its VERY TOLERABLE for me and I'm feeling okay! I'm going to take it easy physically and listen to my body from here...

zero_0 · 04-07-2007, 12:21 AM

Its the 3rd day now and still not bad, although when I woke up there was a bit more pain than usual, but only when I swallowed. This went away after taking two paracetamol tablets and having a normal breakfast (muesli with soy milk and a banana as well as a glass of apple juice). It was difficult to swallow the food down at first but I noticed a dramatic decrease in pain after about 10 minutes of having the food and painkillers. Generally I'm ok, but still kind of weak and a little uncoordinated because of the anti-inflammatory tablets. I'm resting at home and will for the rest of the weekend.

I've read a lot of the threads here and its horrible to know that so many people have to go through hell for weeks after getting a tonsillectomy. It's not always the case. A bit of hope for those considering tonsillectomy or wondering what to expect.

sox04 · 04-09-2007, 12:06 AM

Thanks for the hope! I love hearing stories like yours! I've got my tonsillectomy scheduled, and I'm counting down the days! (its not til may though..) I can't wait to finally get rid of them and get on with my life! Hope you're still recovering easily!

foxy07 · 04-09-2007, 06:47 AM

I agree with Zero - I had my tonsillectomy a week ago and my recovery is going like his.

I have had some pain, mainly in the mornings - the rest of the time it's like a normal sore throat easily resolved with painkillers.

I notice Zero is from Australia and I am from UK. The big difference for us seems to be the consensus among the docs here and there to resume a normal diet straightaway.

In fact I wasn't allowed to leave hospital until I'd had 2 pieces of toast. My recovery is not unique over here. Most people report similar stories.

From reading these boards it seems to be a much tougher recovery in the states and I sympathize a lot.

I was told that my pain would be less if I ate the normal food because it uses the right muscles in the throat and that's been really true for me. Also I've drunk gallons of iced water and chewed gum between meals again on the advice of the surgeon. Also my scabs are pretty much gone and I barely noticed them coming off. Again I was told this is due to eating hard food. I have had no bleeding at all.

So anyone going in for this don't worry - not everyone has horrendous time and maybe give resuming a normal diet a chance even though it is hard at times. I'm convinced it's made my recovery so much easier. Good luck to anyone recovering or waiting for surgery.

sox04 · 04-09-2007, 09:13 AM

Thanks foxy! I have definitely heard different stories everywhere.. I have done my research and and planning on drinking lots and lots of water no matter how much it hurts, it seems to be the best thing. And that's definitely a good point you make. I will definitely be eating as soon as I can! Hope you're still feeling great way over there!