Experience of adult tonsillectomy

[Coldhandscoldheart]

As thread title, I may be eligible for this, there is a little debate about risk-benefit. I know risks are higher in the adult population.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had this as an adult or any professionals who work in the field.

I know the numbers re risk (5/100 bleed 1/100 have further problems) but I can’t seem to translate that into my life!

Many thanks in advance.

[QueefLatifah]

Isn’t difficult to get on the nhs as an adult then? I have horrendous tonsil stones every other day and was just thinking removal would be easier.
Sorry I have no answers just questions!

[Nowgimmeagin]

I had mine done in March after constant and severe tonsillitis.
I wont lie the recovery was hard. And incredibly painful coupled with a post op infection that was horrific.
That said I am so much more comfortable without them (they had started scarring and were always infected) and no issues now.
On balance for me it was definately worth the initial pain

[MikeUniformMike]

If you have the tonsils removed, chances are you'll get other infections afterwards. I wouldn't have had them removed if I had known.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

Other infections in the surgical site or other throat area infections that might have been mopped up by the tonsils?

[superram]

My husband were massive-so was the wound. That opened and resulted in 5 a&e visits, 2 read missions and eventually another op to re ‘burn’. It was horrendous and he lost 18lb in two weeks. However, he hasn’t been ill since and thinks it was worth it.

[Misty999]

I was about 17 so not quite an adult, recovery very easy eating food straight away. It was less painful than the recurrent tonsillitis and Quincy. Very rarely have a bad throat now and if I do it's very mild and only lasts 24 hours not the type where you dribble rather than swallow your own saliva as it's just to painful to swallow.

[Puffthemagicdragongoestobed]

Had it done privately in my early twenties due to recurring tonsillitis. I remember that the first few days post op were full of discomfort, and I recall being home alone which made it worse. But I had absolutely no complications and have not had issues with infections afterwards (early 40s now)

[Grammar]

My Dd 22 had a tonsillectomy 6 weeks ago.
She more than met the criteria, hospitalised frequently, Quinsey, septic. Could not go 48 hrs without antibiotics without becoming ill again. Ended up on constant penicillin, still went down ill, university, ( her last of 4 years), suffered. In the end her NHS ENT surgeon recommended ( after googling) gargling with vinegar. She went the longest without tonsillitis on this and managed to stay well enough for surgery.
It was tough. The recovery took a good 2 weeks. The pain was intense and overwhelming, she was discharged on Oromorph which only made her vomit.
BUT she is no longer plagued by illness or paying £9/ month for on going antibiotics ,with all the risks and stewardship we should applying now, too, to ongoing consumption of antibiotics.
It has been a huge relief.

[Perch]

Vvvv painful but worth it end the end, make sure you get proper pain meds, do not get constipated, take enough time out to heal up properly and DO NOT SNEEZE it is pain worse than a head crowning

[Bubbletrouble43]

I had mine done in my late twenties ( fifteen years ago) and although the first 3 days recovery were painful it remains one of the best decisions I ever made. No complications etc. Tonsillitis free for 15 winters now, i actually do a little laugh when I get a sore throat as I know the little fucker can't turn into miserable multiple bouts of tonsillitis and quinsey which is how I used to spend half the winter. Was brilliant for me and improved my life massively.

[Bubbletrouble43]

I've obviously been lucky as not developed infections of any sort afterwards.

[AudacityOfHope]

I had it done and my recovery was smooth, I'd bloody painful for about 3 days.

Although - they've now grown back

[twirlypoo]

I had mine done when I was 28, and it was brutal but worth it. I used to get tonsillitis every 6 weeks without fail, and what pushed me was that the last few times I got it I had needed to be hospitalised.

My operation went wrong and I ended up with a hole in the side of my throat and being readmitted back to hospital. The pain was indescribable, but like I say - it went wrong so not a normal recovery.

I needed 5 weeks off work, and I lost 2 stone (wooohooo!) and for all it was horrendous - i haven’t had tonsillitis since and was beyond worth it!

[Burlea]

My DD at 29 had hers removed after lots of tonsillitis and quinsys. I dropped her off at 7.45am I then went to work, at 5pm got a phone call to say I could collect her.
She had 3 very young DC so all four stayed at my house for 2 nights as her husband worked away. The first night she was in a bit of pain and was sick from the anthestic.
After that she was great. Never any problems.

[barryfromclareisfit]

Tonsillectomy 1999, back to hospital 2000, dodgy throat for years until a long course of antibiotics (side effect given “sudden death”). Fine now.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

Thanks for replies. I’m only just out of hospital, so back to clinic to discuss in a few weeks. I suspect they may recommend watch & wait for now, but I feel things are increasing & sort of wonder if it wouldn’t be easier just to get them out and it over with rather than sitting through however many more infections and then still having to go thru op & recovery.

@QueefLatifah the criteria for tonsillectomy changed recently I think. I’m not sure you would be able to get it done for tonsil stones (vile though they are), but might might be worth asking the GP? As you can see though, it’s not always a straightforward op in adults.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

I must say you have all been much sicker than me! @Grammar your poor daughter! I am glad she is better.

[CloudRusting]

I had mine done privately using laser. If they are looking to do it you want to be clear how they are doing it as there are a few methods.

I had it done on a Friday, had Monday off and worked from home on Tuesday and went back into the office Wednesday. It was about 10 days before I could really come off the painkillers. Do avoid anything acidic eg orange juice, tomato based pasta dishes as it hurts like buggery. I’m glad I had it done though as it was causing all manner of problems.

[reginafelangee]

I had the op 3 years ago.

Recovery hurts like hell for about 5-6 days then starts to get better and completely back to normal after 2 weeks.

After years of tonsillitis my only regret is that I didn't get it done sooner.

Totally worth it.

[MrsTJOsbornee]

I had mine done about 7 years ago. The recovery wasn't great even with plenty of 'hard' food to keep throat clear. Ended up with a throat infection 2 weeks after the removal.

I still seem to get throat infections now coupled with ear and sinus infections, but am glad I had them out as the other infections aren't as sore.

If you do get them done. Keep on top of the pain meds. Don't think it's not sore and miss a dose. I learned that the hard way!

[Reythemamajedi]

Had mine done at 34, worse pain ever but best thing I've ever done. Was having tonsillitis every month, haven't had any problems since. Bloody hurt though and I've had 2.kids.

[Butterchunks]

Had mine done a few years ago, in my early 30s. Last bout of tonsillitis before that saw me in hospital on IV antibiotics. I'll echo what's already been said, it's very painful (I'm saying that as someone who had an emergency csection with the epidural only working on one side of my body). The worst bit was being made to drink ice cold water when I came round from the anesthesia, absolutely awful - not helped by the nurse saying "yeah...maybe that was a bit too cold considering what you've just had done" . Room temp water was manageable and keeping hydrated made my throat feel better during recovery.

I was in and out in one day, vomited a few times that evening but it was surprisingly not as awful as I had feared was I started feeling sick. I think it took about 10 days before swallowing wasn't painful and I've not had any problems since (although I think I've started having problems with my adenoids instead). I found ibuprofen to be much better for the pain post op than paracetamol and codeine. Even though it was very painful it is much better not having to worry every time I have a scratchy throat or get a cold that previously would have gone straight to my tonsils and put my out of action for weeks.