Has Anyone Had A Tonsilectomy As An Adult?

[kilee]

I am getting a tonsilectomy and I'm 35. I am very apprehensive but it's really indicated. They are telling me it will be 2 weeks off work, I was thinking 1 week.

I'm just curios, I was reading the hysterectomy thread and people were going back to work after 1 and 2 weeks, why would having my tonsils out be just as much of a recovery??????

So, if anyone had this as an adult, please tell me how it went. The ENT kept telling me it's much different for an adult than a child and don't be fooled by the fact they feel better in a few days.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

It IS a lot different as an adult than as a child

I thought I would have been back to work on Monday (had the surgery Thursday AM) but I ended up taking off that entire week. When I went back to work I still wasn't 100% but able to work and function.

The day of surgery was fine, I was talking, eating, thought it was no problem. The next day was not so great but thought I could tough it out and go to work Monday... by Saturday it was not good at all.

Let's just say I am VERY glad that tonsils don't grow back because I never want to go through that again!!

Good luck and I highly suggest taking off at least one full week and let HR know you may be out a few additional days as well if you can just kind of playing it by ear

 

[JLiz]

I had them taken out as an adult. I'm a teacher so I scheduled the surgery the first week of the summer break, so I can't speak of recovery time and work. However, it was extremely painful for me the entire first week. I couldn't swallow anything solid for about ten days. I know that first week would have been impossible for me to work, and had I had to teach school, I imagine I would have taken off the second week too. Everyone deals with pain and heals differently though. If your work allows you to sit quietly for most of the day you can probably manage after a week. If you have to be up on your feet, talking a lot you might need that additional week.

With all that said, however, it was worth it and I'm so glad I had the surgery. It has made a huge improvement in my health.

 

[kilee]

Thank you. I've only known 1 other person to get them out as an adult and she said ironically the first 5 days were no worse for her than tonsillitis had been. She said it was the 5-14 days as the healing was starting that got to be really bad and she was having pain that was severe. That just threw me for a loop.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I had my tonsils out at 25 and one of the most miserable things I've done. The first 7-10 days were quite painful. If you can take off two weeks, take it off or at least put that second week on reserve.

Talk to your ENT about using stitches or caulderaztion. I cannot stress enough that you want caulderazation if that is an option. I had nightmare happenings with my tonsils because of stitches popping out which resulted me being rushed into the ER for caulderazation the second time, which made my recovery time even longer.

The pain I had from my tonsils out was suprising because I didn't know how bad I would hurt in my ears or the tubes from my ears down. The most natural things I did like sneeze or yawn was so painful. Stay on top of liquid painkiller schedule. I had melted popsicle the first 4 days and then cold ensure and shaved sandwhich meat. Don't drink through a straw and nothing hot.

I do feel better after having my tonsils out. I was constant with a sore throat and bad sinus infections. I can breathe alot better and my sinus infections aren't near as bad as they were.

 

[traces7]

I had mine out at age 40. I had them out on a Wednesday and went back to work the following Tuesday. I was doing ok by then. I still had pain when I swallowed, so I still wasn't eating normally. It took about 10 days before I could eat normally.

I'm glad that I had it done too. The first 2 or 3 days are the worst. Just make sure to keep up on your pain medicine and don't take it on an empty stomach. Ice chips and popsicles were great on my throat, that's what I lived on the first couple days!

Good luck!