Does ANYONE have a positive tonsillotomy/tonsillectomy experience?!

[imgettingmyknickersinatwist]

Hi all,

NC for this (as will be outing for my other posts) and posting here for traffic.

I am having a tonsillotomy this week (so 95% of the tonsils removed by laser, as opposed to 100% removed in a tonsillectomy which exposes the muscles benetah etc.) and am absolutely terrified.

I have been trying to prepare myself as every single recovery story I have read is actually horrific. I haven't read a single good experience which I guess is therefore a measure of how painful the recovery actually is (it's supposed to be agonising for adults despite being relatively less so for kids). Does ANYONE have anything even minutely positive to say about it?! Or any advice as to how I can make it as comfortable as possible?

I'm having the op due to tonsil stones, and not due to recurrent tonsilitis etc so I'm not having it on the basis of ongoing pain etc, so again, I'm terrified what I'm doing is not worth the pay off. I am a WIMP of epic proportions, my pain threshold is pitiful, and I'm just pathetic.

I can't decide if I'm making a big mistake and going ahead with this for what would be considered a minor irritation (constant feeling of something stuck in my throat, daily dislodging attempts etc, worries about breath etc) but then again I'm in a position to have the procedure done now, and I may not be in the future when I'm assured this issue only gets progressively worse and that this is the only 'cure'.

For those of you who've had a tonsillectomy/tonsillotomy, does anyone have any advice? what can I try and do to ease it/make it as comfortable as possible? I have two young DCs but my husband has a week's leave owing so I'll have help at home.

Sorry for the self-pitying post but I am freaking out. I've already delayed it once and regretted it so this time it's happening, but I'm totally terrified and wondering why the hell I'm doing it........

Any wise words? HELP!

Almost exactly 10 years ago I had mine out. It was so worth it.

I had recurring tonsillitis to be fair, and hadn't felt well for about two years, but I've felt so much better since. The healing was horrendous- give yourself time. I had four weeks off work in the end.

DH had his out about 5 years ago for tonsil stones, he haemorrhaged after two days, was rushed back in - but then felt right as rain after a week!

So yes, be prepared to be kind to yourself, but it's definitely worth it.

I had mine out five years ago so I was 29. I had tonsil stones and recurrent tonsilitis. Felt fine after the op, had some oromorph. Home that same day. Next day it did start to get sore, I'm not going to lie. Keep up with the painkillers they give you, I dropped the paracetamol and took ibuprofen and cocodamol. Regular sips of water - avoid juice, or anything acidid! Make sure you have plenry of pillows to prop yourself up when asleep and something to cover your pillow with as there will be a lot of dribble. Get some books, get some netflix, make sure you've got plenty of food in. After two weeks I returned to work and I did need that two weeks off. My manager also had a tonsilectomy and felt fine in a week so it really does depend on the person. I feel so much better without them though!

I think laser recover is faster as well as the wounds are cauterised.

It has changed my life. I was constantly fighting infection and was quite unwell for maybe 20 days a month before I had it done. Whilst the recovery was deeply unpleasant I would do it again for the benefits I have had.

Make sure you get a strong painkiller ready, you need them straight away. I was sent home with inadequate pain relief and it was hard to get the painkillers I needed over the phone. Keep eating bland food and don't let your mouth get dry. Spray bottle of water for the back of the throat and ice lollies and lots of them for hydration and temporary relief. I also had a numbing spray with a green lid can't remember the name but it helped.
Be vigilant for infection and keep up with oral hygiene. If you have other people to care for try and get care put in place for them because it's very hard to do pretty much anything.

Look, it’s not a pleasant recovery process but if you are able to rest (so NOT looking after children or trying to do more than make yourself a simple meal), have painkillers and a comfy bed or sofa with undemanding telly to watch you will get through it. From what you’ve said about he current issues you have, it will be entirely worth it and the short term pain will be forgotten. I would not change having mine out for how it benefitted my life (from constant colds and sore throats), it was totally worth about 2 days of really being unhappily in pain and another 3-5 of mild discomfort. You can do this!! But it wouldn’t be fair to pretend it won’t hurt, you have to prepare for that so you can look after yourself properly. Good luck!

Best thing I ever did!!

Horrific recovery but really worth it. I haven't had even a sore throat since (3 years) be prepared and you'll be fine.

Best thing I ever did.

My top tip: avoid anything sweet eg juice or smoothies as they sting like a Mofo.

M and s does great pots of mashed potato, but a few of these and you are laughing. I dropped a few needed kgs after having mine out which was a bonus.

Also get mega strength pain killers.

You will be fine.

I actually think it’s more helpful to be properly prepared.

I had it done and wasn’t but it’s been well worth it in terms of illness prevention.

You need to be prepared for 2-3 weeks off work, being unable to eat and being in pain.

I don’t know what the painkiller protocol is now but for me it was diclofenac and strong codeine.

Plan to eat 15-20 mins after each dose - the painkillers are extremely effective.

Don’t miss doses and don’t let them fob you off with crap painkillers.

It’s well worth it in the long run but recovery IS hard.

Good luck.

No smoothies is a good tip - risotto was good as was mashed potatoes and stew.

Oh also on the DC and your DH, I’m hoping he’s a good ‘un as I did find that having my then 2yo anywhere near me when the pain was bad was not simply something I could cope with. Fortunately I had excellent support and he was whisked away and entertained until the painkillers had kicked in again and then he was welcome for cuddles. If your dc aren’t tiny it’s not so bad but toddlers and tonsillictomy recovery don’t mix!

I had my DDs removed 2 years ago. The continual tonsilitis infections were terrible. She was losing weight, always tired, always seemed to have a sore throat and a temperature. Yes the 2 weeks recovery time was tough but she has been SO SO SO much better since. I am absolutely convinced it was the right thing for her.

I had mine out in 1969, when I was 14. It was sore for a couple of days afterwards but I persevered with eating crunchy cereal and toast and stuff, as ordered, and it was fine in no time.

Never had a problem since, and I was suffering bad tonsillitis for around 30% of the time, so it was well worth having done.

It was a breeze, genuinely. I got mine out on my 21st birthday, so 12 years ago.

Went in around 8am, I was in theatre by 11am. My tonsils were massive (they kept them to show med students). I was in theatre for less than half an hour.

As soon as I woke up, I asked for my toast. My sister picked me up an hour or so later.

I was so thirsty when I got into the car, but the only thing in there was a can of Red Bull. That was a mistake.

I went out for my 21st birthday night out a few hours later.

You'll be fine.

Had tonsils out in late 20s, due to scarring and pitting after glandular fever (food getting stuck in pits and rotting 🤢). General anaesthetic, felt sick the next day. Ice cream, ice lollies and salt and vinegar crisps were advised! Healed quite quickly and I can't remember much pain. I wouldn't describe it as painful at all on the scale of things. Most painful experiences are dental abseces and root canal. The birth at about half that level. Post tonsillectomy barely registers.

As pp have said, recovery the first couple of days is not pleasant, but it's the best thing I ever did. I had tonsillitis so many times and I had big tonsils anyway, add scarring and swelling to that with each dose and it got seriously uncomfortable!
I should have been a day case but had a reaction to anaesthesia so stayed in, I can remember looking at the nurse with astonishment as she gave me tea and toast for breakfast! She told me the combination would not be fun but would help, she was right, took a while and hurt like hell but it did shift all the gunk at the back of my throat from when I'd been asleep.
I also sipped water almost constantly for the first couple of days to keep my throat from drying out as it healed, the first few mouthfuls first thing in the morning are most uncomfortable. They prescribed me soluble ibuprofen and paracetamol, so my first drink were those. I would also drink anything room temp to luke warm, too hot or cold was uncomfortable. Felt like I just had a sore throat after 3/4 days and fully recovered by about 10 days, had 2 weeks off work
Good luck and a speedy recovery!

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with troublesome tonsils. I had it done as an adult. It made the world of difference. I was back to normal in a fortnight. I had excellent painkillers. Cocodamol and Temazapan I think. As pp said, aim to eat about 20 mins after taking the painkillers. Good luck and good riddance to the tonsils!

I had to ear crisps and dry toast after to stop a scab forming apparently.

Do not let them remove your adenoids. I've had nothing but sinus infections ever since.

DS was fine after his, couple of days in bed and no more tonsillitis.

I'm not going to lie though, I needed serious painkillers. Just ask for lots x

I had mine out after 15 years of recurrent tonsillitis that was affecting my immune system and quality of life.
Best. Thing. I. Ever. Did.
Yes, it hurts afterwards. Quite a bit. But honestly, it has made such a difference. I spent YEARS with endless infections and manky disgusting tonsils. I wish I’d had it done years earlier.
Just take the pain medication. Make sure you set your alarm in the night to keep the levels topped up and don’t miss a dose otherwise you’ll know about it!

Oh yes, make sure you get the soluble paracetamol!

I had mine out at 18 (I'm now 36). The recovery was tougher than I anticipated. The doctors recommended 2-3 weeks off work. I opted for 2, but should have taken the 3 as I wasn't right when I went back.

But I don't regret the operation for a moment. I was plagued with tonsillitis my whole life. As soon as I finished the last antibiotic in the pack, it would come straight back. I was warned that a side effect could be that I'd be more susceptible to throat infections in the future. Given that I permanently had tonsillitis already, it was a risk I was willing to take. I can say now that I'm rarely ill and when I am it's even rarer that it's my throat that's the issue.

Take care of yourself. Stay in bed for as long as possible (literally weeks). I didn't have laser surgery so the sides of my mouth were split where they'd gone in so if this is the case with you, have lip balm or similar on hand. If your husband only has a week off, see if you can rally extra help for the second week at the very least. If you're feeling up to it you can get on with things, but if not you'll have the support in place.

Good luck. It will be worth it.

DD(19) had hers taken out with the same technique by an NHS hospital in December, so this is up to date info. Standard protocol is they want you to eat normal foods, not liquidized or soft foods. From day 1. DD was eating tuna on rye sandwiches four hours after the op. Be sure to get enough liquid as dehydration makes the pain much much worse. Pain peaked, as predicted, at about days 5-7, so make sure you have really serious codeine (60mg doses) available for when that happens. DD was fine from day 8. No drugs at all from day 10. Good luck!

Not read all the posts but here’s my twopence worth.
Yes it hurts and recovery isn’t the easiest but you’ve got help which is brilliant, rest as much as you can. I was at home with 3 year old and it was a mare.
Eat as normally as possible, don’t just go for soft food, I did for the first day or so and my jaw started hurting more.
Take pain killers regularly. Drink plenty of fluids (I found room temp stuff the best) sleep as much as you can and if you go out wear a scarf around your mouth.

Sorry to jump in @imgettingmyknickersinatwis as I cannot help with your query, but I imagine you're having this done privately, how much roughly is it costing you? I have recurrent tonsillitis and stones but the infections aren't bad enough for me to qualify for NHS removal annoying because I was hospitalised a few times as a teen through it but they refused surgery as I was 'too old'. I've not looked into laser removal so not sure if it's any better than surgical, pretty much everything I've read into says the recovery is a grim week or two.

I do-after being hospitalized with strep/mrsa/fungal tonsillitis for four days a few months later I had them out and it was a breeze compared to that illness. Only had strep twice over 14 years later