Adult Tonsillectomy

[2binak]

Has anyone here had a tonsillectomy as an adult or know anyone who has? I may have the surgery sometime in the next 6 months and have no idea what to expect as far as the surgery or recovery goes. I have an appt with the ENT in a few weeks to discuss the possibility of the surgery. In the meantime, any information you could share would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[asta]

My daughter had her tonsils taken out when she was 20 years old. She was coming down with one case of strep throat after another before the tonsils were removed and has not had strep once since they were removed. I have always heard that this surgery is more painful in adults than children. She was in quite a bit of pain for at least two weeks and didn't feel like eating solid foods during this time. Her biggest complaint was that she could feel lesions in her throat while it was healing. She described this as just a weird and somewhat painful sensation.

 

[jsmith]

My 21 year old son just had his removed on the 16th of Decemeber. He had severe obstructive sleep apena because they were so large-the ENT said they were the largest he had seen in 17 years of practice. His recovery has been easier than he was lead to believe it would be but-he had a pretty signifigant amount of pain for about 10 days and did not eat any solid food at all from the surgery til Christmas day. He did not have issues with bleeding and the only residual issue he has now is that he still hurts alot if he sneezes and eating sharp food like chips and such is still quiet painful.
The big thing is to follow the docs instructions-take your pain meds on time and lots and lots of cold water to keep the pain at bay. He found that when he slept his throat dried out and really hurt. He did not take the full 10 days of vicoden that was perscribed but for the first week he did.

 

[christineann]

Jello. Lots of jello.

 

[Gigi22]

One of my friends had her tonsils taken out when we were at university. It was a number of years ago, so I am fairly certain that surgical procedures have changed since then. I do remember her saying that her recovery was quite painful, she had difficulty eating for a number of days, and she lost 20 lbs. during her recovery. I believe she recommended milkshakes to those recovering from the operation.

 

[cm8]

I know someone who had the surgery in their 30's, she had issues with lots of pain and the food kept getting stuck after the procedure after she was cleared to eat solids, she then had an issue with the "scab" coming undone and resulted in her being hospitalized to control the bleeding. She said that she was starving and could not wait because she wanted real food not the soupy stuff. It did eventually heal correctly and she said that she would not have done it if she knew she would be so miserable. I think she had hers removed for chronic strep throat as well.

 

[dejr_8]

You may want to seek an ENT that uses an harmonic Scalpel - there is some evidence that shows the procedure is less painful.

http://www.alexanderent.net/harmonic-knife.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12172231

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUM/is_8_80/ai_78356821/

 

[Pooh67_68]

I am sorry for the ones who had so much pain. I had mine out when i was 30 (i'm 42 now) and had to take the Tylenol 3 that they gave me in the hospital after surgery only once.

The doctor did keep me overnight to make sure there were no problems and i was sent home the next evening, with orders to eat soft foods and go right back to the hospital if i started to bleed. After a week of soft foods i started eating anything and had no problems, except for what felt like a slight picking. Called the doctor went in and turns out a stich was to long, he trimmed it and that was that, have had no problems since then and i don't get sick as much as i used to either.

 

[2binak]

Jello. Lots of jello.

I believe she recommended milkshakes to those recovering from the operation.

Jello & milkshakes - got it!

You may want to seek an ENT that uses an harmonic Scalpel - there is some evidence that shows the procedure is less painful.

http://www.alexanderent.net/harmonic-knife.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12172231

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUM/is_8_80/ai_78356821/

Good to know. I'll do some more research & discuss the options with my ENT. He's a professor at a local medical college & performs surgeries at the largest hospital in our state, which is also a teaching hospital, so he's likely up-to-date on the newest technologies available.

Pooh67_68 - Glad you had a fairly easy recovery!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I had my tonsils out at 25. It was one of the most miserable experinces in my life.

You can't yawn or sneeze or cough or anything else without pain. I knew my throat would hurt but I had no idea how horrible the pain would be up my tubes into my ears. I wasn't prepared for barely being able to open my mouth/jaw area.

I could not swallow anything besdies melted popsicles for days. I drank alot of ensure that was watered down because the original stuff was too much for me to swallow.

One last thing I'd advise is ask about stitches or caulderzation. I wasn't aware that one or the other could be an option until all my stitches busted open and I lost over a unit of blood before I went back into surgery 8 days after having my tonsils out. My total recovery time took almost a month. I went over 3 weeks without solid food because of the second surgery patch up.

I do feel alot better and slept so much better after having my tonsils out and never had strep throat again.

 

[lrichardson]

I had my tonsils out when I was 20 yo and it was rough at first. My throat was very sore afterwards but within a few days I was fine. The recovery was about a week and I say in 4 days I was getting my strength back. At first I couldn't talk too well so that was frustrating. Just make sure you stock up on jello, sherbet, soup and juices no soda. Tea was good too but not hot. Good luck you will feel better afterwards. Mine were very infected and I had consistant infections.

 

[2binak]

I had major back surgery a few years ago. The pain, the sleepless nights, the feeling of helplessness, it was all alot to live through and there were many times when I regretted my decision to have the surgery. It sounds like some of the adults who've had this surgery experienced similar feelings during their recovery. I'm glad that everyone's health seemed to improve as a result of the surgery though.

I will be sure to ask my ENT about the % of complications his patients experience from this surgery.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

My mom was 21 but that was many years ago so I'm sure it's different now. Her recovery was not as easy as when my kid had them out.

Go to a good ent that has done this many times and you will be ok. One word of advice, sometimes you vomit a little blood the next day and they don't tell you this ahead of time. It's gross but normal.

Popsicles. Lots of them or jell-o. My dd's doctor said no ice cream, no milkshakes, no dairy. It creates mucus which is harder to swallow when you are in pain. Lots and lots of clear fluids, warm broth, warm tea, cool water. Do not skimp on the pain meds the first few days. Day 1 and day 4 were the hardest for my dd but she was a kid so I don't know how that works with adults.

 

[suzannen]

I had mine out at age 30 following so many bouts of tonsillitis, strep throat and lost work. My doctor told me straight up - for two weeks, you will be miserable and in total pain, so just plan on it. But, then you will find you don't get sick as often and you will be so glad you did it. And, every day, month, year you put it off, it will only make it worse since every year you age, you don't bounce back as fast. She was totally right. Two weeks of torture and I've rarely been sick since then, so I'm very glad I did it. And, probably TMI, but for the first week, I couldn't even look at anything with dairy (milkshakes or ice cream) without becoming nauseous due to combined effects from the little flecks of blood, the painkillers and leftover residuals from the anesthesia. I'd stick with jello, soups, teas.

 

[2binak]

And, probably TMI, but for the first week, I couldn't even look at anything with dairy (milkshakes or ice cream) without becoming nauseous due to combined effects from the little flecks of blood, the painkillers and leftover residuals from the anesthesia. I'd stick with jello, soups, teas.

Yeah, I was thinking that milkshakes would be more for weeks 2 or 3.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I had my tonsils taken out just a few years ago at the age of 27. The week after surgery was terrible but it only lasted a week and then I was fine, better than ever!

 

[Singleminnie]

I had mine taken out when I was about 33 years, I have had three c-sections and my gall bladder taken out, and I would have to say having my tonsilles taken out was the worst. I was down a good two weeks, which was hard for a young Mom. I had constant sore throats before this. Good news I lost 20 lbs!

 

[2binak]

I had mine taken out when I was about 33 years, I have had three c-sections and my gall bladder taken out, and I would have to say having my tonsilles taken out was the worst. I was down a good two weeks, which was hard for a young Mom. I had constant sore throats before this. Good news I lost 20 lbs!

Oh my! Well I can't afford to lose 20lbs since I only weigh 110 now! I've had a c-section & gall bladder removal too...neither was too bad for me. I've also had major back surgery so if the tonsil removal is somewhere in between back surgery & the others I think I'll be ok

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I had my tonsils and adnoids out when I was 19. Everyone kept telling me how bad it is for adults but for me, it was a breeze! I do heal pretty fast, though, so I guess it all depends on the person. Enjoy the Percocet! Believe it or not, I had NEVER taken a nap before I was prescribed Percocet! It was wonderful.

 

[erincon23]

I can't comment on recovery, since I still have mine, but we just went through the evaluation process for my DS18 -- we were sure he'd have to have the out, even though he hadn't had any illnesses associated with the tonsils -- but they're huge, his throat has been very sore, and he snores. He's also a singer with college and show auditions coming up. The reason I'm mentioning all this is, while I assume you've already discussed your reasons for thinking you need them out with your doctor (you said you haven't seen the ENT yet?), my son's ENT decided to have him try acid reducers for a few months first -- while the tonsils are large, he said that frequently acid reflux can cause symptoms that mimic tonsil issues -- the acid inflames and irritates the throat and tonsils, and removing that irritant can really help. He's been on the acid reducers for about a month now, and it has helped -- he doesn't feel perfect, but is about 50% better. If you're not having strep or tonsillitis, this might be an option to check out first!