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Original poster

Tonsillectomy as an adult - how bad is recovery?

215 replies

HermioneKipper · 17/08/2023 15:42

I’m going to have my tonsils out shortly after lots of horrible episodes of Tonsillitis as an adult. I was hospitalised last time.

Ive been thinking that if I can cope with Tonsillitis then surely I can cope with having them out?! But even the consultant told me that the recovery is awful.

Is it really horrific? Think I need to be prepared for the level of pain 😭

I’m 39

OP posts:
Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 14:20

My pre op conversation has scared me to death 🙈

Original poster
HermioneKipper · 17/09/2023 14:31

Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 14:20

@HermioneKipper How are you now?

I’m almost back to normal now! Still have a few scabs but almost fully better. Although taste buds still messed up annoyingly.

A but shattered after being back at work at the end of the day and have been in bed asleep by 8.30/9 every night but that’s no bad thing!

OP posts:
Original poster
HermioneKipper · 17/09/2023 14:33

Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 14:20

My pre op conversation has scared me to death 🙈

Oh I’m so sorry ☹️ What did they say?

I know I made it sound awful but I’m honestly so relieved I had it done as the prospect of no more debilitating Tonsilitis is so wonderful!

OP posts:

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Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 16:31

@HermioneKipper I think I’m just scared because it’s now looming rather than what they actually said tbh. Glad you’re almost back to normal though! It’s reassuring x

EllBellWell · 17/09/2023 16:38

It's bad. Sorry but I was in such pain. Went back to work after 2 weeks, fail!! Ended up on a drip with morphine but I didn't recover very well.

Yes, it's horrible I won't lie. Is it worth it? Yes!!! No more tonsillitis or rancid tonsil stones. Get soluble pain killers, prepare to lose a ton of weight and make sure you stay off work. Recover fully. No hot or cold food for 2 weeks minimum. Stick to soft for a good few weeks. I know you're scared about it but it really is worth it .

EllBellWell · 17/09/2023 16:39

Sorry, I couldn't see the updates from you! My WiFi is crap! Hope you feel better soon

Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 18:27

@HermioneKipper And @Swizzylyons1 can either of you recommend food and drink for the first week or two post op? I’d ideally avoid losing a load of weight if possible - I don’t really have that much to loose - have you guys lost weight?

Coffeepot72 · 17/09/2023 19:10

OP, I’m so glad you are feeling better, you’ve had a really rough time by the sounds of it.

just to add my experience - I had mine out age 28. I am a coward with a low pain threshold but it wasn’t too bad at all. I had mine out on the Thursday afternoon and was discharged Friday morning. I was given a huge bottle of liquid morphine “just in case” but the tramadol they also gave me worked just fine, and I only needed that for 2-3 days. I was told to eat normally where possible and managed a small portion of fish and chips the day after discharge. I have honestly never looked back, regular tonsillitis is rubbish.

Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 19:12

@Coffeepot72 thanks for that. I’m having mine out in just over a week and I’m quaking in my boots. Your experience doesn’t sound so terrible ish so that gives me a bit of hope 🙈

Coffeepot72 · 17/09/2023 19:14

Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 19:12

@Coffeepot72 thanks for that. I’m having mine out in just over a week and I’m quaking in my boots. Your experience doesn’t sound so terrible ish so that gives me a bit of hope 🙈

Before the op, I told the anaesthetist that I’m not good with pain, and that if he could send me home with the strong stuff, it would be appreciated!

But honestly, I was terrified but it wasn’t that bad.

Swizzylyons1 · 18/09/2023 02:16

Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 18:27

@HermioneKipper And @Swizzylyons1 can either of you recommend food and drink for the first week or two post op? I’d ideally avoid losing a load of weight if possible - I don’t really have that much to loose - have you guys lost weight?

@Ilikeviognier I‘m awake taking my pain relief so thought I would message!

I actually think I am doing okay. Well, more than…t’s day 6 and I ate a full roast dinner today! I’ve switched from co-codamol to paracetamol/ibuprofen combination as the former made me sick. On cocodamol for night tho still. Ear and jaw pain mostly. Hurts like hell to yawn, blow nose (mine is really bloody?) and of course swallow!

Food:
First few days I stuck to soft but did eat honey on toast but with loads of butter too today. Loads of water to follow up any tablets/hard to swallow stuff.

Plain chicken flavour noodles have been great. Don’t accidentally pick up spicy like I did!
soft cheese sandwiches, mini custard pots, jelly and ice lollies have all been good to eat. Mainly very plain tasting things without lots of spice/salt. Found everything tasted disgusting at first.

I know you will, because I did, but please try not to worry. Keep your brain busy and prep for you being out of action to take your mind off it.

I have really benefited from getting loads of washing/school work (I’m a teacher) and getting batch cooking done before I went off sick.

First time I ventured out today. Went to collect conkers wjth my kids and then came home and fell asleep! This is what is still hitting me most! Probably because I’m awake in the middle of the night!

maybe mine wasn’t so bad because it was intracapsular coblation tomsillectomy. Had a bit of a research and it apparently has a quicker recovery. Either way, just take one day at a time and know all you need to
do is rest and get better. Please try not to worry xx

Swizzylyons1 · 18/09/2023 02:18

Sadly no weight lost. Well 2lb but that does not count!

watch our for constipation too!

Ilikeviognier · 18/09/2023 17:13

@Swizzylyons1 thanks for the info - really useful! Glad to hear you’re doing so well! Eating Sunday lunch - wow wow!!!

im trying to establish how they are doing the surgery….not sure if the laser way isn’t the “routine” way so I’m guessing it’s not that but we’ll see.

Swizzylyons1 · 18/09/2023 18:30

Hold tight - spoke too soon. Today was a bad day. Back to chicken noodles and cocodamol. Bad ear pain and lower jaw and of course swallowing is painful, but not so much I am having to use the soluble pain relief - can still take tablets.

Went for a 20 min walk today and it wiped me out. Bear in mind, up until now I run about 10k a week so I’m fairly fit (ish!).

All of this considered, I am just giving over to the fact they have given me two weeks off for a reason (it seems to be a bit of a rollercoaster and nights are the worst) and I’m actually going to ask for a few more days from my doctor as relaxing and not using my voice much at home is very different to being in charge of hormonal teens all day, trying to teach them Macbeth! Due back next Wed, but will see how I feel nearer the time as today I def still couldn’t teach.

Just relieved the op itself is done as this time last week I was soooo nervous. Honestly, you will be fine @Ilikeviognier. Xx

Ihonestlydontgetit · 18/09/2023 18:38

I was a teacher when I had my tonsils out and ended up having 4 weeks off. Even then it felt a lot going back. I think 2 weeks isn't enough to be recovered enough to teach.
It's cold, flu and COVID season. It'd be awful to rush back and catch something that sets you right back.
Maybe speak to your doctor about another couple of weeks off.

Ilikeviognier · 19/09/2023 18:50

@Swizzylyons1 how are you today?

i spoke to my consultant today - he isn’t doing the laser route sadly 🙈 so id better brace myself! I have a day off before the op so will have to stock up on suitable food and drink.

Original poster
HermioneKipper · 19/09/2023 23:19

Yes hope you’re ok @Swizzylyons1 Sounds like you’re doing really well. Hope the pain has subsided.

@Ilikeviognier Thinking of you. I was absolutely terrified and while it wasn’t great it wasn’t as scary as I built it up to be. I’m honestly so relieved I had it done as no more Tonsilitis is the stuff of dreams. Everyone I’ve ever heard of who’s had the surgery hasn’t regretted and said it’s been life changing

OP posts:
Ilikeviognier · 20/09/2023 18:40

@HermioneKipper thanks. Yeah i m Definitely wishing I could back out right now….how are you feeling? Is being back at work manageable? Two weeks off doesn’t seem enough to me 😳

Ilikeviognier · 20/09/2023 18:41

I get the relief you must have though. At the moment i m terrified every time I get a scratch in my throat in case the quinsy is making a return…:

Coffeepot72 · 20/09/2023 19:33

Obviously you won’t get any more tonsillitis after your op, but you can still get a bad throat (most unfairly). I’ve had strep throat twice in the last couple of years. On the positive side, once my tonsils were gone my general health improved and my periods were lighter and easier.

Ilikeviognier · 20/09/2023 21:00

@Coffeepot72 that is most unfair you’re right!!! I feel I’ve had my fair share of throat problems now!

Swizzylyons1 · 21/09/2023 07:58

Ilikeviognier · 19/09/2023 18:50

@Swizzylyons1 how are you today?

i spoke to my consultant today - he isn’t doing the laser route sadly 🙈 so id better brace myself! I have a day off before the op so will have to stock up on suitable food and drink.

Sorry to hear that the op isn’t as hoped but being prepared/forewarned is good - understandably scary as that is exactly how I felt after reading all this. It also felt really helpful knowing there was a timeline and I also shared that timeline with husband!

I got the food shop in, all uniforms ready for week, easy dinners etc. so that at least life would not be hectic whilst I was unable to do much.

The first three days I didn’t do the school run and had my friends help out with that as well as husband. I hated being a burden but people do want to help!

Get soft foods in like noodles (have lived off these!) mini custards, jellies, mashed potato, pasta etc. I would also go bland on taste - everything tasted really gross initially but that is getting better.

Its a bit of a rollercoaster as still in a fair amount of pain now as weirdly day 6-8 seems harder than 3-4 for me. BUT I can see the light - ha! It was tne effects of the anaesthetic and co-codamol that affected me the most initially but do keep up with pain meds, even at night. This app Medisafe really helped me with that.

I have just asked for an extension of my sick note as I’m due back on Tues but there is a load of Covid in my dept at school at the min and I’m still feeling rough so want to avoid getting that!

Try and distract yourself this weekend with some nice plans and eat the nice food!

You will be okay! Xx

Swizzylyons1 · 21/09/2023 10:27

That’s really helpful to know. Always feel so guilty not being there for the kids and I know how much it impacts other staff but I think you are right. Loads of people off with covid in my dept so I have asked for an extension.for my sick note, Instead of going back on Wed next week, I have asked to be signed off for the following Monday. I work part time so as it is I would go in on the Wed but have a six period dah and I know it would strain my voice.

Will see what docs say x

Swizzylyons1 · 21/09/2023 10:28

Ihonestlydontgetit · 18/09/2023 18:38

I was a teacher when I had my tonsils out and ended up having 4 weeks off. Even then it felt a lot going back. I think 2 weeks isn't enough to be recovered enough to teach.
It's cold, flu and COVID season. It'd be awful to rush back and catch something that sets you right back.
Maybe speak to your doctor about another couple of weeks off.

That’s really helpful to know. Always feel so guilty not being there for the kids and I know how much it impacts other staff but I think you are right. Loads of people off with covid in my dept so I have asked for an extension.for my sick note, Instead of going back on Wed next week, I have asked to be signed off for the following Monday. I work part time so as it is I would go in on the Wed but have a six period dah and I know it would strain my voice.

Will see what docs say x

Swizzylyons1 · 21/09/2023 10:30

Thanks @HermioneKipper . Glad to hear you are fairly back to normal now!