Funkimummy, I had my tonsils out in November at the grand old age of 41. Now, how do i put this nicely...it was awful!!!!
However, since i've had the op, i haven't had the reoccuring tonsilitis nearly every fortnight, so in my view, is definitely worth the 3 weeks i felt like poo.
I was in overnight (as you lose alot of blood) and could only swallow without pain on the Thursday of the 3rd week. This may have been due to the post op infection i got - as some find they feel well enough to return to work after a fortnight off.
I couldn't gargle though as the scar tissue (that is what i was told it was) got in the way. The uvula (dangly bit in middle of throat) gets clamped and mine swelled up to double the size (or more) and hung right on the very back of my tongue, making me feel like i was choking constantly.
I was told to take iron tablets prior to the op as i was anaemic and you can lose two points (not pints!!!) in iron levels after surgery of any kind.
My friendly health guy recommended Arnica homeopathic tablets prior to and after surgery to minimise the swelling, but i found that prior to, gave me a sore throat and i had already been cancelled twice due to ill health, so didn't do that.
I didn't believe i would ever say this at the time but i do feel better, i'm not so tired from constantly feeling so ill, my energy increased and i lost 6lbs in a week as i could barely eat, so that was good for me!
They do make you eat a meal (i was given weetabix) before you leave hospital but i lived on weetabix with warm milk afterwards, however it used to take 20-30 minutes to eat them, a half teaspoon at at time.
Good luck Funkimummy - it isn't pleasant but i promise you will feel 100% better when you're fully recovered. xx
PS - I took some post in to write notes to my visitors and when i came home - it was alot easier (especially as my Dad wears a hearing aid!!!) than trying to talk.