Getting my tonsils out

[KJo719]

I'm getting my tonsils taken out tomorrow and I am soooooo nervous. I was okay up until a little while ago and now I'm really starting to freak out. I'm actually more worried about the anesthesia (spelling?) than the pain right now. I've never had anesthesia before, so I don't know what to expect. Anyone have their tonsils taken out as an adult? Is it as bad as my doctor says it will be? She gave me lots of medication and told me no real food for 2 weeks- I guess the only good thing is I'll lose a few pounds!! I have a feeling I'll be spending lots of time on these boards next week, since I won't be able to do much!!

 

[helenabear]

I still have my tonsils so I will be of no help. I just wanted to wish you all the best. I hope your surgery goes well and that your recovery is quick

 

[believe]

I am also one that still has tonsils, but was wondering what symptoms you had that has led to you having them removed?

I wish you the best of luck!!!!!!!!!

 

[doxdogy]

I still have my tonsils. But, I have had surgery and everything will be fine. Generally, they give you an injection to relax you before giving you anesthesia. Then the next thing you know, you are waking up in recovery. Hope you feel better soon. (((HUGS)))

 

[Regina]

I was 19 when I had my tonsils out. I heard all the horror stories, and I'm a big baby so I was expecting the worst.

I honestly have to say it was a breeze. My only problem was that my doctor's office called me at the hospital the day of the surgery to say he was sick and couldn't do the operation. Meanwhile, they neglected to tell the hospital so they were ready to wheel me in, LOL.

Besides for my extra day at the hospital, it went really well. I've never had a problem with anesthesia, but it does nauseate some people. Be sure that you have an empty stomach.

My throat was sore for a few days, but it wasn't anything close to what I anticipated. I was able to eat solid food within three days, as long as it was cut very small.

Good luck! It was well worth it. I constantly had strep throat/bronchitis before the surgery. Ever since, no problems.

 

[olena]

I've been put under twice. Both times were no problem. I hope you have successful surgery. *HUG* You'll be fine....

 

[Pugdog007]

You probably don't really want to hear from me. I had mine out at 21 and it was bad. I just remember feeling like my throat was on fire. I was on so much medication that I slept through the LA riots. When I finally woke up and saw the mayheim, I thought a war had started and I'd slept through it!

I did recover in about 2 weeks. And any weight I lost I put right back on once I was able to eat again

Just remember that pain medication is your friend. And the stuff that you gargle that deadens your throat is good too.

 

[Kitty 34]

I had mine out at 5 so I can't help you much. Have been put to sleep several times and it's no big deal. Just offering you lots of PD for a fast recovery!

 

[Dan Murphy]

You'll do fine, KJo, and just in time for your birthday, you will be able to eat all the cake and ice cream you want. Plus, you have some time to catch up on the last minute things for your upcoming wedding and WDW honeymoon. Let us know how you do. {{Hugs}}


Dan

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I am here to tell about it, so I guess that is worth something. I had mine out when I was 32. OMG it was not pretty for me. I would not try to kid you that it will be a total breeze. It does hurt after all wears off. Just keep on with the meds and you will make it. Don't be a hero.

Anesthesia is a breeze...you will be fine there I am sure.

That 14 day thing is really on the mark. The 15th day the sun shines! Get someone to make you chicken soup...no salt or so very little salt! Salt burns! I had a big taste for it and I love Campbells...not a good idea as that soup is all salt, whew I was on fire!

Force yourself to consume something...liquids important or you will be back in with IV treatment...that is what almost happened to our son as he refused to eat anything!

My problem was not so much related to the surgery as the fact I am intolerant of most meds and could not take anything for the pain. If you can get pain meds use them for your time. You will be fine.

Good Luck and enjoy the boards as you recoup.

 

[CarolA]

I had mine taken out as an adult. The BEST decision ever. I was terrified before hand so I know how you feel.

I recovered very fast and did not lose any weight (since the one day I felt really bad I ate Wendy's Frosty's all day!) The only problem I had was being a little sick afterwards. I was in recovery with a 5 year old and I have to admit, 5 year olds recover faster LOL!

 

[ltldeb]

I had my tonsils removed when I was 13. I don't remember much about it, but I want to wish you the best. Please let us know how you made out. Good luck!

 

[dandave]

I had mine taken out when I was 23. It was painful, but worth it. I hope everything goes well for you.

Here's a link with more tonsillectomy tips, from a recent CB question:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=354019&highlight=tonsils

 

[Serena]

I hope you'll be feeling better in no time. It'll be over soon.

 

[browneyes]

I had mine out a month before I turned 25 yo. It wasn't as bad as a lot of people told me it would be. The meds helped. I lost about 15 pounds in a couple of weeks. I didn't have an appetite at all. That was the first time I was ever put to sleep and I think that had something to do with the loss of appetite. It took me awhile to wake up. 8 1/2 years later and my mom is still complaining about how I worried them. I told her I just needed some sleep and got it while I could (my dd was 1 1/2 yo then and wasn't sleeping all through the night ).

Most people will tell you to eat lots of ice cream. I didn't like the thoughts of ice cream then. I ate a lot of fruit flavored popsicles (mostly banana flavored).

Good luck.

 

[Luvinit]

Had mine out when I was 27....it was worse than childbirth!!!

Like everyone else said...take pain meds..and sleep for 2 weeks. I had to crush it up in applesauce to get it down.

After 2 weeks pain went away. but I talked through my nose for another 2 weeks...that was scary...but dr said it was normal.

Good Luck

 

[GeorgeG]

I think it varies a lot from person to person. Try not to let it get you down by thinking about how much better you'll feel a month or two down the road.

I was about 7 or 8 when I had mine out. My brother and I had them out together and thought is was cool that we were going to be able to have a lot of ice cream. Well, it didn't turn out all that cool, but we both survived. As far as anesthesia goes, the newer stuff is pretty good. They were still using ether when I had mine out and I could smell it for a long time after.

Good luck with yours and I hope the recovery is quick.

 

[KJo719]

Thank you so much for all of your kind thoughts and well wishes. I'm doing ok. I got home from the hospital yesterday and pretty much slept except to take my medication. They have me on lots of medication, so right now it's really more of a discomfort than pain. Worst was last night- I thought the night would be easy, take my medicine and go to sleep, but for some reason the pain was much worse last night and I didn't get much sleep! So far I've been living on ice chips and jello, hoping to have some sherbert today, although I haven't really been too hungry. Anesthesia was no problem- one minute he was putting the mask on, the next I was waking up in recovery! I just keep telling myself this will all be worth it to not get strep throat 3 or 4 times a year for the rest of my life!! Thanks again for all of your kind thoughts!
Kathy

 

[Pebblszzz]

I'm 40, and I had mine out a week ago! I can tell you anything you wanna know! LOL

Look for my posts about "tonsillectomy/snoring surgery" and "Snoring Surgery" for more tips from others, too.

1. Anesthesia, as you know by now, is your friend. I hope you didn't get nauseated. I told the Anesthesioligist I was once nauseated by it, and he said "I can fix that" - and he did. I had no side effects at all from the anesthesia.

2. By now, you're probably starving and in a lot of pain. Probably too much to even boot up your computer to read this post. But in the event you drag yourself out of bed, here's more.

3. If food burns, that means that the "scabs" haven't formed yet, or have formed and fallen off. This is a rotten time to be hungry, but here's a few tips:

a. numb your throat (Lidocaine, if they gave it to you, or Cepacol, which is like Chloraseptic, but doesn't burn as much)
b. eat slippery foods - and FAST. Jello and canned mushrooms, whites of hard boiled eggs - these worked for me during the "burning" periods when I had no scabs.
c. If foods don't burn, chow down on popsicles. Stay away from anything thick, grainy or salty. I found banana popsicles to work very well (no seeds).
d. Smoothies are awesome, just watch out for fruits with seeds. I used frozen peaches for mine, along with Stoneyfield Farms natural vanilla yogurt. DON'T ADD SUGAR.

4. Drink as much water as you can force yourself to drink! This helps the wound stay moist so it can heal faster. I found that the coldest water possible worked best for me. The cold water helps with swelling problems, too.

5. Bleeding can get you in serious trouble - don't do anything stupid that'll make it bleed! Stay away from any drugs your doc hasn't approved, and that includes herbal stuff, too - like Ginko, Metabolife, etc. If you begin bleeding a lot, you'll be in the hospital...it ain't worth it.

6. Finally, remember: you WILL heal.

I not only had my tonsils out, I had the roof of my mouth and uvula removed, as well as getting my deviated septum fixed and some sinus reconstruction. And I survived. My surgery was April 10th. This morning I had my first real food (soup, whoopy!).

I expect to be perfectly normal again in about 5 days. I'm cooking a pot roast today in hopes that I can actually find a way to eat it.

Oh, and the BEST PART: I've lost 14 pounds.

Hang in there!!! Feel free to send me an email with questions or anything, I'm always happy to help if I can.

CLWilson34787@aol.com