Tonsillectomy in adults - question about recovery....

eskimo · 06-06-2006 12:18AM #1

I'm 19 and due to get my tonsils out sometime in July and I'm wondering how long I'm gonna be out of action for! I'm hoping some of you who've gone through it already can help me out? (I haven't spoken to the throat specialist yet)

As a 19 year old, how long does the recovery period usually last? I've heard that it's about 2 weeks before your throat feels normal again. And also how long before being physically back to your normal self? Is it just days? More than a week? How long does it generally take before feeling able to eat again?

And how long before I should head back to work?! (to a job that involves lots of talking and lots of lifting/carrying things!)

nobodythere · 06-06-2006 02:54AM

This isn't a medical board, liability to boards.ie and such

embee · 06-06-2006 09:53AM

Hiya eskimo,

I had my tonsils out when I was 19.

The recovery is pretty quick really, although I found that the worst of it was the ferocious itchy sensation I got in my throat as the incision sites were healing. I used to use a tiny spray bottle I got in Boots to spray ice water on the back of my throat - that was heavenly! Talking isn't really a problem as the operation doesn't affect your vocal chords - the only thing is, your voice may sound a little muffled for the first couple of days due to localised swelling. It didn't really hurt as such afterwards, more uncomfortable from swelling (my cheeks were hurting from whatever they had used to hold my mouth open during the surgery) and swallowing at first will be laboured.

Physically, a day or two after the operation you'll start to feel normal again. Most of the physical recovery is from the anaesthetic rather than the tonsillectomy. Eating is okay, but you should avoid spicy foods or rich foods, and stay away from dairy products (I was told in the hospital not to eat them as they coat your throat and will encourage bacteria growth around your incision sites). Also, you are better off eating foods that are "rough" in texture, like dry toast, bran flakes with as little milk as you can manage etc. The reason for this is that eating rough foods will encourage healing faster than if you are eating softer textured foods as they create scabs which speed up the healing of your throat.

Workwise - I'd stay off for at least a week. It'll be midsummer when you have your procedure, and airborne particles (pollen, pollutants, germs etc) will carry easier on warmer air. I had mine removed in August and was told to stay indoors for a week to minimise risk of inhaling something that could irritate the incision sites or cause infection.

If you smoke, just forget about it for two weeks or so - its impossible. It made me throw up the one time I did attempt it.

moridin · 06-06-2006 11:38AM

I had mine out this time last year, at 25. Took about 2 weeks to recover. For me, it was very very bloody sore - the painkillers I got weren't enough and wore off far too quickly.

Initial pain is sore-ish, but about a week later it gets worse. Make sure that you get enough painkillers and if you start running through them faster than you're supposed to talk to your doc!

Eating foods like toast etc is supposed to be better as it stimulates the area and encourages healing.

Oh, and get some breath mints for week 2, you'll probably need 'em

Overall, it's well worth getting done - last winter I think I got sick once, as opposed to 4 or 5 times

arbeitsscheuer · 06-06-2006 11:58AM

Had mine out when I was 18. August, like embee, and I gave up smoking for about 2 weeks (and I immediately regretted the 1 I had at the end of that, but then twas ok after that). Physically, you're pretty much grand after a couple of days, once the anaesthetic's left your system you should be fine.

Good luck!

lost_for_words · 06-06-2006 03:17PM

Had mine out three years ago at 20 and found recovery fine. Stayed in for 2 nights in hospital which was fine wasn't in much pain at all although I did puke blood which apparantly is normal and expected. Drove myself home from the hospital so things musn't have been that sore.

They say recovery time is much longer for adults but to be honest a week is plenty of time (imo). You'll sound like you have a cold for 2 weeks or so but other than that have some good sleep and relax in the sunshine, you'll be fine.
Slightly off topic but I was told that leaving cert stress and subsequent college exam stress may have triggered my tonsillitis as I never had it when I was young, I didn't think I was stressed at the time but I suppose my body had other ideas. Anyone else have this experience?

Agamemnon · 06-06-2006 09:48PM

A friend of mine had hers out on Monday of last week and she came back to work today. She says she feels much better now and she looks it too. It's good to have her back. I think I must be sweet on her or something...

eskimo · 06-06-2006 11:00PM

So all round it seems to be better news than I expected! Cheers for all your stories!

I don't smoke so that won't bother me. For the past two years I have suffered from god-awful bouts of tonsillitis (sometimes as often as every three weeks) that have me house-bound generally for 7 days at a time. It's bloody annoying! But I'm used to it now so I think I'll manage the tonsillectomy recovery no bother!

embee wrote:

Hiya eskimo,

I had my tonsils out when I was 19.

The recovery is pretty quick really, although I found that the worst of it was the ferocious itchy sensation I got in my throat as the incision sites were healing. I used to use a tiny spray bottle I got in Boots to spray ice water on the back of my throat - that was heavenly! Talking isn't really a problem as the operation doesn't affect your vocal chords - the only thing is, your voice may sound a little muffled for the first couple of days due to localised swelling. It didn't really hurt as such afterwards, more uncomfortable from swelling (my cheeks were hurting from whatever they had used to hold my mouth open during the surgery) and swallowing at first will be laboured.

Physically, a day or two after the operation you'll start to feel normal again. Most of the physical recovery is from the anaesthetic rather than the tonsillectomy. Eating is okay, but you should avoid spicy foods or rich foods, and stay away from dairy products (I was told in the hospital not to eat them as they coat your throat and will encourage bacteria growth around your incision sites). Also, you are better off eating foods that are "rough" in texture, like dry toast, bran flakes with as little milk as you can manage etc. The reason for this is that eating rough foods will encourage healing faster than if you are eating softer textured foods as they create scabs which speed up the healing of your throat.

Workwise - I'd stay off for at least a week. It'll be midsummer when you have your procedure, and airborne particles (pollen, pollutants, germs etc) will carry easier on warmer air. I had mine removed in August and was told to stay indoors for a week to minimise risk of inhaling something that could irritate the incision sites or cause infection.

If you smoke, just forget about it for two weeks or so - its impossible. It made me throw up the one time I did attempt it.

I appreciate the in-depth info!

neegie · 22-04-2007 11:33AM

i got my tonsils out last monday, i'm 17. feel ok now except the painkillers dont seem to last long enough but they gave me a mouth rinse that numbs your throat, that helps...
as for smoking, after three days i ran out of will power!! i'm not sure if smoking is slowing my recovery, if anyone has any input on that it'd be helpfull!

smiles · 22-04-2007 11:58AM

Got mine out at 19or20, not sure when exactly, was fine. Not the best experience, but not the worst either.

Was a bit ill directly afterward (ick: blood had seeped down my throat instead of being hoovered up) so I was on a drip for a day or so.

Afterwards I did need extra painkillers as it went mental.

Was fine for the next 2 days: deadly pain for 2 days: 3 days later it was fine.

Was advised to eat salt'n'vinegar crisps to help 'clean' the wound... stung but was fine.

Put it this way: ate a chinese about 2 days after I got them out.

You'll be grand in a week.

chuci · 22-04-2007 01:08PM

neegie wrote:

i got my tonsils out last monday, i'm 17. feel ok now except the painkillers dont seem to last long enough but they gave me a mouth rinse that numbs your throat, that helps...
as for smoking, after three days i ran out of will power!! i'm not sure if smoking is slowing my recovery, if anyone has any input on that it'd be helpfull!

smoking will delay your recovery stops the amount of healthy oxygenated blood in your body plus inhaling the chemicals past your wound sites wont help.

neegie · 22-04-2007 03:05PM

i'm on as few a day as i can manage but i think i'm allergic to patches and stayin off them had me crawlin up the walls... thanks for the input... here's to hopin it doesn't affect recovery too much *fingers crossed*

Cateym · 22-04-2007 03:16PM

Slight diversion here. Just want to ask all the people who have had them out how often they were getting sore throats before they were referred? I have a sore throat every 2-3 weeks. I have been having them regularly since my teens and am immune to most of them. Few painkillers and di-flam and I can function.
Got a really bad one 4 weeks ago. I'd about 8 blisters. By time I got around to seeing doctor it had improved quite a bit.

Boyf mentioned to me that I seemed to always have one and I realised he was right so I told the doctor and basically she said come back every time you have one and if I have a certain number of them in 2 years they will take them out. Does that sound right?

Faith · 22-04-2007 04:44PM

I was told that 5 in a year is a sure sign to go see your doctor.

I got awful tonsitilitis every couple of months for all of first year in Uni. I got the last bout in May and I was incapacitated for about a week, with a fever and everything. Haven't gotten it since though, and still have my tonsils!

Victor · 22-04-2007 05:58PM

You really need to ask your doctor these questions.

Cateym · 22-04-2007 08:53PM

Victor wrote:

You really need to ask your doctor these questions.

I have asked my doctor!! I am just asking what other people's experiences were!

Cateym · 22-04-2007 08:54PM

Victor wrote:

You really need to ask your doctor these questions.

I have asked my doctor!! I am just asking what other people's experiences were!

embee · 23-04-2007 01:06AM

In the 12 months before I got my tonsils out, I had 8 bad bouts of tonsillitis, two of which I had to hospitalized for due to dehydration and high temperatures (I was literally hallucinating).

I had my tonsillectomy originally scheduled for May of that year, but they cancelled twice on me as theatres weren't available. They cancelled the May appointment, re-scheduled for June, cancelled the June one and I got them out on the third try. Sometimes they'll cancel your op if they are under resourced as its a routine procedure.

Miss Fluff · 23-04-2007 09:31AM

Had them out when I was 17. Operation was scheduled I think for 5pm and by 7.30pm I was propped up watching Corrie and had a smoke the next day. I was back to normal after a couple of days.

popebenny16 · 23-04-2007 10:36AM

I had mine out aged 34. Hurt a lot for two weeks didnt eat anything much for about three weeks (really helped the diet actually)

Make sure you get strong painkillers, watch out for smelly breath the next day, its a sign on a post operative infection go straight to the GP get anti-biotics

I had tonsillitus six times a year, since then not one throat infection!!! Should have done it at your age!!

eefs · 23-04-2007 04:03PM

Seems I got the short end of the stick!

I had mine out when I was 20 after one too many bouts of tonsillitis and strep throat. I had them out on the National Treatment Purchase Fund, so I was away down to a hospital in Kilkenny for two days to get them whipped out.

The anti-biotics they put me on in Kilkenny didn't react well to my stomach at all. They warn you to go straight to the hospital if you start vomitting blood, which happened to me. Basically, the anti-biotics wouldn't stay down and I retched so much I ripped the scars from the op. They had to be re-cauterized (sp?) in Tallaght hospital and then I got to spend the night in the corridor! (Whee!!)

I was out of action for about 3 weeks but I think that was mainly due to my bad reaction to the medicine. But, since having them done I haven't had another bout of strep or tonsillitis. So it worked!! yay!

Dalfiatach · 24-04-2007 08:38AM

I ended up in hospital with a quinsy during 2nd year in UCD, that was my first ever bout of tonsillitis. Maybe exam stress does have something to do with it! Then it used to recur, not quite as bad but still nasty, every few weeks. I finally got them out about 2 1/2 years later, that was the waiting list back then. I still get a sore throat every now and again, maybe every six months, but since those bad boys got sliced out it's more of a slightly irritating sore throat - yer normal throat lozenges are more than enough to take care of it. I'm not reduced to a moaning wreck incapable of getting out of bed for 3 days any more. So for the girl getting constant sore throats, go ahead and get the tonsils out. If definitely makes a huge improvement.

The recovery isn't so bad, as others have said eat dry toast and crisps. Also gargle a couple of times a day with warm salty water. A week or so and you'll be well mended.

My "ick" story is waking up early immediately after the operation - they weren't expecting me to wake up for another hour and hadn't got round to cleaning me up, so I wake up in a dark room with four or 5 other post-op unconscious people. Looked like a morgue :eek: And I was still all covered in blood :eek: :eek:

hairyfairy00 · 24-04-2007 07:05PM

Had mine out last August, was 24 at the time and was a little bit worried but i'm so glad i got them out. I used to get about 8-9 really bad bouts of tonsillitis a year e.g temp of 103.
Like Dalfiatac i woke up straight away, think i freaked them out a bit cos i wanted to sit up in the bed and have a chat, I was able to eat crisps within an hour of my operation.
I found the worst stage was about 4 days after the op, i had to set my alarm at night to take pain killers otherwise my tongue would swell up and i couldn't open my mouth and yes when i didn't take the pain killers i cried my eyes out, I loved the way i sounded like Kermit the Frog for about 2 weeks tho

I haven't had a sore throat since *touch wood*.

<edit> Was high as a kite for about 3 weeks from the medication they gave me, those things were strong

unreggd · 01-10-2007 12:12PM

One quicky, How much does this cost?

and whats the diff between public and private hospitals, cost wise????

thanks

muppetkiller · 01-10-2007 12:39PM

I had mine out when I was 20. Woke up after the operation and was high as a kite singing on the trolley lol
it was a bit sore for a week but lots of Ice dream was always easy and cheerful

nursetinkerbell · 17-11-2007 10:33PM

lost_for_words wrote: »

Had mine out three years ago at 20 and found recovery fine. Stayed in for 2 nights in hospital which was fine wasn't in much pain at all although I did puke blood which apparantly is normal and expected. Drove myself home from the hospital so things musn't have been that sore.

They say recovery time is much longer for adults but to be honest a week is plenty of time (imo). You'll sound like you have a cold for 2 weeks or so but other than that have some good sleep and relax in the sunshine, you'll be fine.
Slightly off topic but I was told that leaving cert stress and subsequent college exam stress may have triggered my tonsillitis as I never had it when I was young, I didn't think I was stressed at the time but I suppose my body had other ideas. Anyone else have this experience?

Heya!!!

Im 21 and having my tonsils out in January 2008, was just reading the posts, I agree, I never ever had tonsilitis until March 2007 (was doing the leaving in June 2007) and wen ever i had exams coming up or stress or under pressure in school my tonsilitis came back, iv had it 8 times since march now, thats 8 times in 8 months!! crazy!! cant wait to get em out !!

hairyfairy00 · 17-11-2007 10:58PM

nursetinkerbell wrote: »

Heya!!!

Im 21 and having my tonsils out in January 2008, was just reading the posts, I agree, I never ever had tonsilitis until March 2007 (was doing the leaving in June 2007) and wen ever i had exams coming up or stress or under pressure in school my tonsilitis came back, iv had it 8 times since march now, thats 8 times in 8 months!! crazy!! cant wait to get em out !!

It'll be the best decision you've ever made to have them out, you will be sore afterwards but it's well worth it!
I still haven't had a sore throat since i got mine out (1 1/2yrs)
Just dose yourself up with lots of ice-cream and chew chewing gum after the op because it'll help.

gd1987 · 03-06-2008 09:40PM

I'm getting mine out next month, was nice to find all of your experiences.
They've helped to ease my mind, didn't know much about the op.
I hadn't known anything about not smoking, oh well.:(
But nobody mentioned about drinking after the op. Is it a no no, or did anyone have a few?

Stev_o · 03-06-2008 10:11PM

Ever one here's had such good recoverys to their operation i was one of the few in the statistic bracket that not all went to plan. OP you should be fine its a routine OP and i agree with everyone here that the only bad thing about it is the anaesthetic. I was sadly slightly allergic to eggs which is used in the anaesthetic and was violently sick for the whole day after the operation. Then i was of the 1/10 to have the wound bleed [its nothing too serious once you get back to A&E but looks it] and then a 1/100 to have it bleed a second time. But nothing ever came out of it and was discharged both times safe and sound.

Just keep on your throat that is unless your very squeamish and if it feels in anyway bad then its supposed to be go to the doctor to get him to have a look.

Lastly stock up on Difflam [oral mouthwash] and strong painkillers [ask your chemist]. The difflam has a small anaesthetic to kill SOME pain and helps reduce swelling. Also gargling ice cold water is a huge relief aswell!

Anyway im sure you ll be fine and you ll be recovered in no time just look after your self and listen to what the doctors say!

NoQuarter · 03-06-2008 11:06PM

sorry about the off topic post here but this question burns away at my mind, is there any truth that gettin them out can improve your singing voice?!? i just heard someone say it before and ive always wondered!

:eek:

Jemmy · 03-06-2008 11:24PM

I got mine out a year ago i was suffering very badly, every sore throat i got shut my whole body down. Anyway ur not allowed eat for 12/24 hrs before cant remember. oh no its 24 i ate last the night before then had my op late the next day! Anyway its painful at first but you kinda get used to the discomfort. It is hard to swollow and eat but what do you expect. anyway after 2 wks i was perfect again, not a bother. Iv had no trouble AT ALL with my throat since. Even if u hav a low pain tolerence its still worth it believe me.

Dont worry!

Tonsillectomy in adults - question about recovery....

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