C Section VS Tonsillectomy

[MJH27]

I am looking for a comparison to the pain of a tonsillectomy and a c section.

I had my tonsils out 3 years ago now and now looking at the possibility of needing an elective c section to deliver my 3rd baby. I understand the pain is different but if anyone has been through both and can give me some sort of idea what to expect that would be great.

Thanks in advance x

Ive had both and totally incomparable.

I’ve only had a c section but the pain was absolutely out of this world horrific, so I can’t imagine the other procedure you mentioned being remotely comparable. I didn’t have a choice though and, if I had to, would do it again.

I've not had my tonsils out but I had my gallbladder out via keyhole surgery. My ELCS was much less painful (and a much easier recovery) than that.

Have had both a c-section and a natural birth. Would choose natural birth any day of the week over C-section. The aftermath is horrendous with a C-section and having to look after a baby at the same time is tough.

This was not my experience at all, sorry to hear you had such a painful time!

I’ve had both, it’s a really difficult comparison to be honest.
C section getting up and about really hurt and getting around was really difficult and really frustrating.
with a tonsillectomy I could move around easily but not eat which made me feel in pain and dizzy
All I can say for both was that by 2 weeks post op for both of them I was getting back to my ‘normal’ self.
dd was a traumatic section as I had a lot of complications in theatre, that said 2-4 weeks later I was moving about as usual. Same for my tonsillectomy

Op, two C sections here and neither painful.
You will be great.

I have had both.

Recovery from tonsillectomy - home from hospital next day. Was incredibly painful for about 7 days and I was completely back to normal after 10 days.

First section - in hospital for 5 days. Was incredibly painful for about 8 weeks, sore for another 4 weeks and completely back to normal after about 4 months.

Second section - in hospital for 10 days including 5 days in high dependency - was horrific for 4 weeks, incredibly painful for about 4 weeks, sore for another 4 weeks and completely back to normal after about 6 months.

My sections were at the bad end of the spectrum. Many people are fine with a couple of paracetamol and bounce back quickly. But hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

I had no pain with a planned section. Spinal wore off and they had me on diclofenac, then ibuprofen. Sometimes it felty a bit twingy if I moved weirdly

3 ELCS, barely any pain.

I've heard that a tonsillectomy is one of the most painful surgeries for adults to experience. Haven't had one but I think an ELCS is probably easier. There was never any point during c-section recovery where I felt unbearable pain or was absolutely maxed out on painkillers. It was very uncomfortable and goes on for ages (6 weeks) but more or less what I expected it to be. Being able to eat and drink normally make it significantly easier to recover from compared to tonsil or wisdom teeth surgery.

Csection pain is only very noticeable when standing up or walking. So you need to grit your teeth when doing that or take painkillers before you plan on taking your first shower (or poo!). But if you're just sitting or lying down then it's entirely manageable. I think that makes it different to other types of post surgical pain where you can't escape the pain by simply changing positions.

What on earth!!

With tonsils, I got to lie in bed, breakfast brought to me and some time in hospital to recover.
after my C section, if I wanted breakfast or any food I had ti get myself out of bed, push the baby down to the dining room sit on a hard chair and come back again, and do all care for a newborn.

Same here. Can't compare to tonsillectomy, but I didn't find my c section that bad. Everybody's different though.

Tonsillectomy was horrendous - took a full two weeks off work and couldn’t function.

two emcs - no pain (kept on top of pain meds) just a slight “pulled muscle” feeling and being careful getting in and out of bed. Able to look after baby (and Toddler) fine. Back properly exercising in 6 weeks (walking after 2 days). No problems at all.

C section was much easier for me in terms of pain. It just seemed more manageable and never at the point where I was crying in pain and the codeine just wasn't working like with the tonsillectomy.

2 x emcs. I didn't need pain killers beyond what I was given in theatre either time. I literally bounced back physically.

Thank you all who have sent helpful replies! It’s very much appreciated. With my tonsils I needed strong painkillers for a couple of weeks, although getting up and walking around wasn’t an issue like it must be with a section. I’m currently pretty much bed bound with severe SPD, the furthest I can walk is to the loo and back so I imagine c section pain may compare to this?

I've had a tonsillectomy and a tummy tuck which was probably similar to a c-section.

Tonsillectomy was way more viscerally excruciatingly painful; the tummy tuck took a lot longer to get over though.

Swings and roundabouts really.

I’m currently pretty much bed bound with severe SPD, the furthest I can walk is to the loo and back so I imagine c section pain may compare to this?

Not guaranteed. I was in agony getting upstairs/walking more than a few paces at a time at the end of pregnancy with dc1. Went into labour and it got worse. Post csection, was a massive relief. I could move! Whilst I wouldn't recommend it, I went out for lunch when dc2 was 2 days old and could easily carry/hold her. It really is very individual and I think luck must play a huge part.

The only person I know who really struggled with pain post section got a nasty infection. Everyone else has been fine.

Hope everything goes swimmingly for you OP.

I’ve not had a tonsillectomy but I’ve had an emergency c section and an elective one and recovery from those was fine. I’m not incredibly fit im a bit overweight and I was up after both c sections when my spinal wore off and it was tender n a bit sore but not agony. I also had bad SPD with my first baby and the first thing I thought on standing up was omg this is much better !! Im ok ! The pain wasn’t as bad as the SPD ! After my second baby I was home after 2 nights and able to do normal things and even had to lift my toddler as I had no other help so no choice

Both can be so different depending on how things go. I would say in my experience they were much of a muchness. Maybe a couple of higher spikes with the c section but swallowing with a sore throat was so unpleasant that they kind of cancel each other out. Both very manageable.

I should add- I was surprised by how manageable the c section was. Just take it easy.

I had a c section 10 days ago and never really been in any pain at all. Off painkillers now but took paracetamol / ibuprofen first few days - don't get me wrong it is a little sore first couple of days and difficult walking around at first but I 100% will be having a c section with any future babies! You will be absolutely fine 😊

@MJH27 to answer your q, no your spd pain sounds terrible and my c-section recovery x 2 was nothing like that. After 24/48 hours I could walk normally with no pain at all (I took the pain meds religiously)