Recovery suggestions for tonsils removed / tonsillectomy in older teen

[Fortysix]

Pretty sure this is about to happen over the summer holidays just waiting on formal appointment confirmation.
Looking for tips and advice to make recovery process go as well as possible. Holiday booked for post operative Day 12 if it does all confirm as expected.

Dc isn't really a child either @applesandpears he's at uni not primaryschool.
@Fortysix I recently posted on Children's Health about tonsils and got some really encouraging posts across age ranges I've also since had encouragement from a school mum about an adult she knows having it done and it was a fairly smooth process
Prior to that I'd heard nothing but it's awful and don't do it anecdotes similar to MikeuniformMike experience

I’m an adult and I would still be upset if my parents booked and went on a holiday at a time they knew I was having an operation and might need some (or a lot of) help.
Why don’t you ask/offer to him if he wants you stay behind with him rather than his aunt? He might appreciate you being 100% there for him. Tell him he’s more important that a few days of a holiday.

People posting here have gone through the operation and are giving you their true experience. Yes it’s worth doing, yes it’s a horrid op and post op infections are more common then they’d lead you to believe.

Thanks Incy I will look back to your thread.
Clearly risks of post operative bleeding are high and I see Days 8, 9 & 10 are just as risky as the initial days. I didn't know this at the start but that was the whole purpose of posting. You've all been very brave and I'm grateful for everyone's experience.
I am attending the pre-op appointment together with DC as the date is now confirmed.
Apple - The holiday was booked in April only after DC had announced a tonsillectomy was not on the cards this year as I had held off making summer plans especially. Obviously DC hadn't bargained on continued bleeding after last big episode. Really don't think my DC feels I am prioritising holiday over everything else.

The other thing you might have to just bear in mind is that sometimes ops are put back if there are lots of emergency cases as obviously the lists are juggled on a daily basis. We usually have to phone the night before or at 7am in the am to confirm the bed and op. If they are still under 18 and in paediatric care they will be last on the surgery list usually because our hospital works in reverse age order. Not sure how it works in adult care. Anyway just saying have a plan in place for if the op is rescheduled.
I’m sorry if you think I’m being critical of you - we didn’t go abroad for 3 years because of having to work around our child’s appointments, medical conditions and operations. I do understand they are disruptive to normal family life. If it was me I’d just ask your son if he wanted you there post op and for how long.

My son was back at school within ten days of having his tonsils out over half term. Apart from bleeding on day six when the scab broke, it wasn’t as bad as we feared. He had already struggled through AS levels and we couldn’t risk A levels so went private. They get a small consideration for being ill but we still reckon it cost him a grade overall. He really was very sick over AS levslo, don’t know how he sat there.

Things like chicken pie with creamy sauce, so there's something solid enough but also soft so it's chewable.
My mum made me lemon roasted chicken a few weeks after my surgery and I still remember the pain, it made me cry. NOTHING ACID!!!

Ps dont listen to people saying she shouldn't have had it done. I had mine out around 17-18 and so glad I did. Also - was her decision as an adult anyway.

A gentle start to holiday should be absolutely fine - she just won't have much energy.

Final thing - make sure you get her some REALLY good lip salve, maybe even over the counter stuff - my lips were awfully cracked and bleeding after surgery

Sorry final practical thing - make sure you’ve updated your travel insurance that he’s had an op done.

Apples I'm sorry illness has brought difficult times. I hope things are improving as it obviously has been a trying situation.

Thank you. Hope your dc’s op goes well and that you all get your break.

I had mine out as an adult 4 years ago after a bout of Quincy. I have to be honest and it was 2 weeks of hell. I also overdid the "eating rough toast" and ended up with an infection which resulted in a bleed and emergency admission which was very frightening. Have to say its so worth it though and you teen will be glad of it.

Had mine out as an adult, ate normal foods straight away as it helps scabs come off. Was mostly fine however days 5&6 were worst of all everything was agony, eating, breathing! After that perfectly fine no issues. Would recommend always having a bottle of water i was drinking 3+ litres a day which really helped. And wake up every 4 hours to take pills and possibly every 2 to have a drink.
Mornings after forgetting to wake up and drink were painful!
Also definitely keep medication topped up even when you feel its not needed.

Had mine out as an adult, ate normal foods straight away as it helps scabs come off. Was mostly fine however days 5&6 were worst of all everything was agony, eating, breathing! After that perfectly fine no issues. Would recommend always having a bottle of water i was drinking 3+ litres a day which really helped. And wake up every 4 hours to take pills and possibly every 2 to have a drink.
Mornings after forgetting to wake up and drink were painful!
Also definitely keep medication topped up even when you feel its not needed.

Had mine out as an adult, ate normal foods straight away as it helps scabs come off. Was mostly fine however days 5&6 were worst of all everything was agony, eating, breathing! After that perfectly fine no issues. Would recommend always having a bottle of water i was drinking 3+ litres a day which really helped. And wake up every 4 hours to take pills and possibly every 2 to have a drink.
Mornings after forgetting to wake up and drink were painful!
Also definitely keep medication topped up even when you feel its not needed.

Had mine out as an adult, ate normal foods straight away as it helps scabs come off. Was mostly fine however days 5&6 were worst of all everything was agony, eating, breathing! After that perfectly fine no issues. Would recommend always having a bottle of water i was drinking 3+ litres a day which really helped. And wake up every 4 hours to take pills and possibly every 2 to have a drink.
Mornings after forgetting to wake up and drink were painful!
Also definitely keep medication topped up even when you feel its not needed.

Great tips Tea, thanks.
I’m a little scared to ask but what happens with a post op bleed?

Depends how big the bleed is. Usually settles down by itself but just every so often requires an emergency trip to theatre. Immediately post op & about 10 days post op are classically the most likely times for it to happen (not sure if that is changing with new surgical techniques though).

I was told 1 in 100 have to go back to hospital for something, so that's fairly low. A friend got a post-op bleed after singing! Looking at your throat is something else though, it's like a scene from a horror movie!

I had a tonsillectomy as an adult.

Diclofenec and crisps worked a treat. I found it best to avoid really creamy stuff because I felt these coated my mouth. No tomatoes either. They were too acidic and really hurt my mouth. I second drinking lots! Especially in the morning.

I was told a bleed was most likely 24 hours post op (they kept me over night) and any bleeding to phone my ent surgeon.

Had mine out at 25. The general anesthetic changed my taste. A friend made me a chocolate dessert. It tasted so bitter. I politely pretended it was nice. Flatmate ate it too said it was delicious. I asked the Dr about it and she said that was caused by the anesthetic and I was temporarily unable to taste sweet. My taste came back in a couple of weeks so all good. Pain relief containing codeine can cause constipation so lots of fruit and vegetables. Very painful, extremely tired, lots of rest. A friend brought me over lots of DVDs to watch. I'm very glad that I had them out as my health improved greatly. I rarely get throat infections now. I had severe chronic tonsillitis which resulted in Quincy that hospitalized me. I was so sick and so glad with how much I benefitted having them removed. Recovery took a few weeks. Dr said it is better recovery when you are younger.

Also, my Dr's advised me to gargle salt water. From memory I think it was a teaspoon of salt in a large glass of water. This helps the wound to heal.

I don’t think you’d be advised to fly at day 12, too high a risk of infection, still at recovery stage and still at risk of a bleed. It’s a rough recovery road the older you get, plenty of painkillers will be needed.

I had mine out early 20s and was back at work within 3 days as I felt absolutely fine. DC recently had his out at 5y/o and we were told no going to school or contact with people who are poorly until day eleven. I guess healing time and pain response are down to the individual though.

Thank you to everyone for their replies. They have all been really helpful. Update. .. DC met consultant yesterday and had pre-op with me in tow. Consultant laid it on the line that 15% of patients had post-op bleeding that needed A&E visit and 1% may need to go back into theatre. DC also told that the first week would be grim and second week worse. DC's glands apparently still swollen from last bout two weeks ago. Tonsillectomy also only route for those with horrid recurring tonsil stones. As we were finishing up I said that there was a family holiday for Day 12 booked but recovery was priority and departure dates would be amended to suit. Consultant flashed a smile and said someone for Tuesday's list (31st) had literally just cancelled. DC's operation could be brought forward; DC's spot on Aug 7 could be re-allocated elsewhere (hopefully to the cancelled patient), then flights would be on Day 19. Consultant genuinely pleased at switch and said: 'That was meant to be'. Now gearing up for the two post-op weeks ahead and trying to support DC. Salt water, regular chewing of gum, lots of liquids, pain relief at regular intervals across duration, no acidic food all now on my radar to help DC recover appropriately. On first night DC has to be accompanied in the room.