Anyone here ever had tonsils or adenoids removal as an adult?

[browneyes106]

I'm having my tonsils and adenoids removed next Thursday. I was wondering if anyone experienced this as adult.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I had mine out when I was 26... it was not fun I had the surgery on a Thursday, I thought for sure I could go back to work on Monday (before the surgery, I was thinking positive) but I ended up being out of work for the entire next week

I also had my sinuses (doh, I forgot what its actually called) cleared out at the same time, that didn't hurt at all but the follows up with the doc were terrible. The doc had to put some tube in my nose and I almost passed out every time, still no idea why they kept happening

Good luck!

 

[browneyes106]

I had sinus and a rhinoplasty surgery back in January. That was sort of painful because I had splints in my nose for a week. I have sleep apnea I'm having surgeries done to help treat it.

Did you have discomfort when talking?

 

[jfoofj]

My friend just had this surgery done in July. She had it done on a Wednesday, and she was out of work for the rest of that week (which she expected) and the entire next week too, she was hoping to go back sooner. She said the first few days it really hurt, then after that it was pretty much just trying to swallow/eat/drink. She tried to not take the pain pills they gave her because she hates how they make her feel, but she finally realized that she needed to stay ahead of the pain and take them regularly otherwise she was just chasing the pain. She did lose 15 lbs, though, so she said it was kind of worth it in that respect .

I would stock up on popsicles, soft foods, soups etc. and accept that you probably will be in some pain for a little bit. Find some good books, magazines, movies, etc to distract you and make sure you have someone to help you out around the house. My friend set herself up on the couch with the tv remote, her laptop, phone, books and pretty much hung out there the entire time.

Good luck!

 

[Explodo]

I had my tonsils out at age 40. Last December to be exact. I had a hard time with it. I ended up back in the hospital 3 days after the intial surgery due to broken stitches and uncontrolled bleeding. It was horrible. After the second surgery, it was not to bad for a day or two. then the first scabs started pulling off. It was excruciating...not to mention bloody as hell. I couldn't much of anything for about 2 weeks. Malt-o meal was my mainstay food item. after about 2 weeks, I could choke down potato soup...after about three weeks I could get down most foods...but it would hurt like hell.

It took about a month and a half for everything to get back to complete normal. It was a hard hard month or so. Lost 20 pounds.

 

[NJMomma]

I had mine out when I was 25. Actually, they had grown back from an earlier removal and this was my second removal. It hurt more as an adult. The first days were rough. It did hurt, I don't want to sugar coat it. Have some one around to baby you for a few days

Take the pain pills - better living through chemisty!

 

[happily single]

I had my tonsils removed when I was 20-21. It was the absolute worst pain I have ever experienced. I gave birth of a 7 lb 10 ounce baby with no pain meds and that hurt less! I was out of work almost a month. For the first 2-3 weeks I could not speak at all. I sounded like a death person. I couldn't eat anything and the pain was horrible.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I think it's different for everyone depending on your tolerence of pain and your body's recovery time.

I had both my adnoids and tonsils out at 19 and I didn't think it was nearly as bad as everyone told me it was going to be. Some people vomit afterwards, I did not. Just a few days later, we were on the road to my aunt's in NC from NJ and I was fine. Obviously, my throat hurt and I wasn't able to eat solid foods for a few days but the pain was not THAT severe...plus, you'll get good meds. It didn't take me long to be back to normal.

Oh and your voice may change for a while too. My voice was a little higher for a while after I had the surgery but it's back to normal now.

Honestly, the thing I remember most was how uncomfortable I was waking up from anesthesia because once I woke up, I just wanted to be awake but kept drifting in and out!!

(BUT that's just my experience. Just to give you an idea of how MY body heals, I went out for cheese fries the same night I had all 4 of my impacted wisdom teeth out...)

 

[JessicaR]

My sister recently had hers out at 39. She was not good for almost two weeks. She had a great amount of pain but has a very low pain threshold. She was on percocet and still uncomfortable. She refused to talk for a while too. She seemed to tolerate pudding the best. It was a good month before she was feeling well and pain-free.

Stay ahead of the pain as best as possible and take your meds before the pain is full blown. It is much more difficult to bring your pain down once it is fully escalated.

Best of luck to you and I hope you do great and heal quickly!

 

[bumbershoot]

I had them out at 20. It was horrible.


But the worst part is, instead of just getting a nasty sore throat when I get sick...the "bugs" get into my lungs, and I get FAR sicker than I used to. Funny, how taking out one of the first immune defense systems of your body can allow that to happen.

If I could take it back, I would. Wish mine had grown back!

 

[vettechick99]

Had my tonsils out in June. FYI, anyone that hasn't had the surgery in the last few years is going to have worse stories for you because they have better methods now. My doc used electrocauterization, and I didn't have any bleeding. I was home by dinner.

I stayed doped up on pain pills for about a week - you will need every last one! But I was able to eat soft foods that day. Just be careful of the pockets that are left...food will get caught in there for about a week or two and it's very annoying!

GL! I thought it was a fairly easy surgery. I haven't caught any bugs this school year and usually I would have by now.

 

[smschex]

My husband had a tonsillectomy several years ago at 46. He had the cautery method mentioned by a PP. I have never seen him so miserable. His surgeon warned him the first 2 to 3 days would be difficult, but it would get much worse after that as the scabs formed and fell off. That was so true. He has a high pain tolerance, but he had to work up the nerve to swallow secretions! He thought he would be back at work the next week, but it was 3 weeks before he felt normal again.

Be sure to ask your doctor for liquid pain medication and use it on schedule. The pills are much harder to swallow. Try to stay ahead of the pain--that is don't wait until you are hurting to take the medication. As much as it hurts, try to take in as much fluid as possible. Letting yourself get dry only makes the pain worse.

Good luck. Remember as someone else said, everyone is different. You may sail through this with very little pain!

 

[traces7]

I had mine out about 5 years ago - I was 39. The surgery went fine I was in and out and back home in a couple of hours. I did have quite a bit of pain the first few days and stayed off work almost a week. I was still having a hard time swallowing regular food for about a week and a half. But I'm so glad I had them out, mine had holes in them and food would get stuck in - really gross!

Just keep up on your pain medicine, I had a liquid, it was gross, but helped the pain - just make sure to try and have something in your stomach when you take it. I didn't once when I first got home and ended up throwing up - no fun just after tonsil surgery.

My dr said not to eat ice cream, it would cause mucus and more problems. Ice chips seemed to help in the beginning and popsicles. Also stock up on softer foods for later, I ate a lot of soup, jello, etc.

I had hoped to lose a lot of weight not being able to eat, and I only lost 5 lbs. I was bummed out about that.

Good luck to you!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I'm having my tonsils and adenoids removed next Thursday. I was wondering if anyone experienced this as adult.

I did....it was uncomfortable, stayed in the hospital for the day. I was off pain medication in 48 hours & moved onto plain Tylenol.

If it is your 1st surgery you may think it's horrible because you have nothing to compare it to or if you have low pain tolerance.

Best of luck!

 

[Maridw]

Had mine out in June and I am 48. Mine was outpatient surgery. I had it done on the Friday and was out the next week. I had my tonsils, adenoids & uvula removed. I really didn't have a whole lot of pain, but I did keep to the light and soft diet.

It took some time for my taste buds to really come back. Even chocolate didn't take right.

Just make sure that you follow the doctor's directions for post op and you should be fine. Do NOT rush back to work. You might think you are up to it, but it is better to make sure you are completely rested before going back.

Good luck.

 

[TinkerbelleAbbysMom]

I haven't had it done but taken care of children after theirs. But as many have said it is very important to keep on top of your pain meds. I would give it around the clock to make sure they would keep drinking. The drinking is key to keeping the clots from loosening and causing the post-op complication. If you already have issues swallowing pills (like my poor DH) then ask for the liquid. You need to plan to drink lots. When you are buying stuff for afterwards avoid anything with purple or red food coloring as this would mask any potential bleeding.
Good luck, I'll be praying!! Oh and keep DisBoards around to keep you company

 

[JLiz]

I had mine taken out 2 years ago (at age 26). It was very painful, but it wasn't any worse than a bout of tonsilitis which I got 5 or 6 times a year. I was sick literally every week. I teach in a high school and am exposed to lots of germs. However, I have not been sick once in the entire time since the surgery. Yes it hurt but it was absolutely worth it!

 

[emdav]

I had mine out when I was 24. I didn't think it was too horrible. I went shopping the next night. I had them out on a Wednesday and was back to work the next Monday. I've heard plenty of horror stories from adults though.

 

[Evi]

I haven't had mine out but was looking into a procedure where they dont remove them they shrink them its supposed to be less painful if I have it done I'll let you know.

 

[browneyes106]

Thanks for the advice everyone. My doctor said he will be giving me liquid pain meds.