Adult tonsillectomy - Day 1

[Jillolina]

Hello all,

I have found this site to be very helpful in preparing myself for a tonsillectomy, and so I wanted to give back something by posting my own experience, just in case it should help someone else out there.

I am a 31 year old female. I have allergies to penicillin and codeine, asthma, frequent sinus infections, and I have had perhaps 2-3 cases of tonsillitis on average per year for as long as I can remember, plus "cryptic" tonsils (tonsil stones - the nasty white gunk that builds up in the holes in your tonsils) since my teens. However, I was part of the generation where pediatricians were *very* resistant to taking out tonsils, and so I had resigned myself to regular courses of antibiotics and a lifetime of removing yucky tonsil goop with Q-tips.

Then, in June this year, I got a miserable case of strep. Antibiotics managed to clear it up, but within another 3-4 weeks I had a bout of tonsillitis. Then shortly thereafter I developed an excruciating pain on the left side of my throat that turned out to be a peritonsillar abscess. My General Practicioner referred me to an ENT specialist at the point, and over the 6 or so weeks of waiting to see him, I had 2 more bouts of tonsillitis.

On reviewing my medical history, the ENT doctor immediately recommended a tonsillectomy. It was scheduled for the following week, and just yesterday morning I went in and had the procedure done.

Pre-op was unexceptional, and within an hour I was in the operating room. The anesthesia took *immediate* effect. Whatever that stuff is, it's amazing I woke up in pre-op with a very mucousy and yet very dry mouth, and the nurse helped me to spit and then brought me a cup of unsweetened iced tea. Drinking was initially very difficult (but not too painful) - I think as a result of the long-acting Novacaine the surgeon used on the throat to ease the discomfort of the breathing tube as well as at the excision sites - but got rapidly easier.

After an hour or so, the doctor came and told me the operation had gone well, and, I think to confirm to me that the operation was the right decision, said that when he did the excision, pus inside the tonsils "squirted out like toothpaste". Nice. And surprising, given that at the time I went into the procedure, I didn't (as far as I knew) have an active tonsil infection. Now I really am glad I got them taken out!

Anyway, I stayed in the recovery room, drinking masses of tea and slowly waking up for another 3-4 hours, and was then discharged with a prescriptions for Azithromycin and Percocet and instructions to take Benadryl if the Percocet caused itching (which it has, a little bit).

Since arriving home, about 12 hours ago, I actually feel remarkably well. The Percocet (plus Benadryl) work well to take the edge off the throat pain with only minor itching. Unfortunately, the Percocet seems to lose effect about 30-45 minutes before it is time for the next dose, and for that period, the throat is pretty uncomfortable. However, cold water and iced tea help a lot, and I also had a cup or two of broth - no food yet, and no desire for it!

The throat does, I must admit, look pretty darn awful - HUGE pits where the tonsils were (I had no idea they went so deep!) and a very unpleasant white and black coating over the wounds. Also, the uvula is massively swollen, which makes sleeping comfortably difficult.

All in all, though, so far I have been pleasantly surprised. I'm a bit nervous about increased pain on days 4-9 or so, but there's nothing to do but wait and see. I'll check in again in a day or two to let you all know how it's going then.

Jillolina

[mkgbrook]

Hello I am 31 and on day 7 postop.

Sounds like you are off to a very good start. Keep up the drinking, and keep checking in here it helps also look at one of my posts, the stickied LisaMP's Guide to a Tonsilectomy or compiled tips for recovery. Keep your eye out for strange stuff.. like sensitive to it right now.

I need to get back to resting, Day 6 and 7 were rough and sleepless; but I will check in on occasion.

Best wishes on a speedy recovery,

MG

[danab222]

Sounds like you are doing good, my tonsillectomy was Friday October 6 and Friday-Sunday were without much pain or problems. I have to say I never had much pain, I think I had expected it to be so much worse. By far my two "worst" days came at Monday the 16th and 17th of October, both of those mornings I woke up with more pain, but it was manageable.

I never had ear aches or any complications, I feel very fortunate. I just dranks A LOT, I ate well, and I took Tylenol from the 8th of October on...I did not take any pain meds on October 18 onwards.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[ajezek]

OK my Dr. just referred me to a ENT for a tonsillectomy. I am reading some responses that were great and some that just sound horrible! I am 28 yo and have been having problems the last 2-3 years, about 6-7 x/year they act up. I have made an initial appointment. But I need to know how long recovery averages for work. Are we talking 3-4 days or 2-3 weeks? What did the Dr.s tell everyone and what actually happened?

[Legend74]

I would not reccommend going back to work after tonsillectomy after only 4 days. That's insanity! You need a minimum of 2 weeks to recover, minimum, but I would actually reccommend 3 weeks if possible. Your potential for post-op bleeding extends to day 15, so you have to take it really easy and not do anything that might cause bleeding until then.

I had mine done on a Monday and went back to work 2 Mondays later. It was too soon, I could tell, because I was still in pain and I was so worn out that I could barely make it through the day. I wish I would have taken an extra week.

You need to really baby yourself as much as possible with this surgery. Day 1 is one thing, but day 4-5-6 and on is a completely different story.