tonsilectomy

okie2 · Oct 24, 2004

Hi--I'm going to be having a tonsilectomy two days B4 thanksgiving, just wanted to know what my recovery will be like. I know that I won't be able to enjoy thanksgiving, but I wanted to do it sooner than later (over my xmas break). Anyhoo love to hear some of your feedback thanks.
jennifer

Jennifer- sorry to hear you have to have this done. I had my tonsils out when I was 22 yrs old. It was over my X-mas break! It's widely known that the tonsilectomy is harder on adults than kiddos.

Mine were removed with a laser in an out-patient clinic-I do not recommend this method! My sister-in-law also had the laser treatment- she too had a very slow recovery ( she was 18 ) A friend of mine had his done by scalpel and was eating 2 days later. It took me 10 days to be able to eat solid food. Due to the laser treatment- the tonsil area was burned and had BIG lumps of tissue that had to fall off (took about a week)--YUCKY STUFF! My throat was swollen and sensitive for 2 weeks. My mother forced me to eat chicken broth, mashed potato, and cream-of-wheat, so I wouldn't starve. She was an angel!

If you have the choice--go for the scalpel. They cut them off and sew it up! The healing seems to be much quicker.

I can't lie--your throat will HURT either way. Keep hydrated and don't be afraid to take the pain meds they give you.

Sorry you're going to miss Thanksgiving Turkey! :crying2: but you can have the mashed potatoes!

Good Luck!! You'll do great!

Lys · Oct 24, 2004

Jennifer,

Hope that all goes well with your surgery!

I had mine done when I was 20 years old, over Xmas break...had a lot of scar tissue on my poor inflamed tonsils from years of infections, so I'm unsure whether this made it worse or not. But anyway...I had the ol' fashioned type of surgery with the scalpel, though I never saw any stitches...the surgeon *did* however coat the back of my throat with this lovely yellow substance I'm told was bismuth.

My recovery was approximately 2 weeks until I was well enough to eat whatever I wanted and resume a normal schedule.

My only advice...stay far far away from ANYTHING post-surgical that has red dye in it (makes you feel like your vomiting allll the blood in your system). One thing that made me feel human again though...Bailey's ice cream *lol* :balloons:

Much luck and I wish you a speedy recovery!!

Lys

RNKPCE · Oct 24, 2004

I was 19 when I had mine out. I had to return to the ER twice at 5 days and 6 days for uncontrolled bleeding on each side. They had to recauterize the sites while I was awake and gagging. It was sooooooooo much fun, not. 2 weeks before the tonsil I had my wisdom teeth out. I sure lost all the weight I had gained from dorm food having those two procedures done back to back.

Make sure you ask for liquid pain med. Trying to swallow tyelnol with codiene was near impossible immediately post op.

Mine was the old way it was over 20 years ago.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 24, 2004

Chilled pumpkin pie without the crusts too! Yummmmm!

Sorry to hear about you having to have this done. I too agree with the scalpel from other patients (I still have mine so I don't have personal experience).

The pain meds are important, and it is like I tell my patients...pain is like a snowball...it forms easy enough, but if you don't control it...it can turn into huge snowball as it runs downhill! Control it before it starts to go downhill and it is much easier to manage! So follow your doctors orders closely, and if you have questions or concerns, call them (we pay them enough to call them if we need them..LOL!).

Good luck and I wish you a very speedy recovery! I hear crandberry jello is nice too...especially that 'jello brand sparkling' kind where you use 7-up in it!

akcarmean, LPN · Oct 24, 2004

Sorry to hear about your surgery. Good Luck !! I would go for the surgical instead of the laser procedure. Like someone said stay away from the red foods, jello, popicles, etc. Keep hydrated is the main thing. Rest and don't rush it, take your pain meds. and have plenty of ice cream and popicles, etc. Take care Lets us know when you are feeling better.

ADS RN · Oct 25, 2004

I had mine out at 18 back in the good old days (1969). The bad part was my roomate had glaucoma surgery and was on a general diet- it smelled soooooo gooood. Then wonders of wonders in came my tray(day after surg.) I was so hungry I lifted the lid and there before my eyes was a feast fit for a king!! Bacon &eggs OJ, hmmmmmmm.I was ready to cjow down when the nurse came in and took it away for a liquid diet bummer! Then for lunch what did I get but roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy ummmmmm. Once again the big meanie came in and took it away! Lots of mashed potatoes & gravy,soups,jello,popsicles.cream of wheat etc.At least there are more flavors of popsicles nowadays!! Hang in there and it will be over soon.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2004

My daughter just had hers out at age 15, and I can vouch for everything okie said. She missed a week of school, and was in terrible pain. She doesn't like ice cream or popsicles, so she was a real PIA!! lol She survived on Dunkachino's and Chai tea from Dunkin Donuts and fruit smoothies from there too, for about the first week. I'd say she lost 10 pounds in the 2 week recovery period. She also had the laser, and the yucky tissue sloughing. She's still spitting like a sailor.

My daughter found the liquid vicoden just didn't do it for her, so we got her percocet, which I find so strong I cannot tolerate myself, but she was able to be awake and function with it! She weaned herself down to plain tylenol the weekend before she returned to school.

She's feeling much better now, but is a little disappointed, now she claims she cannot win burping contests, and thinks her enlarged tonsils vibrating enhanced the burps for her! Wacky teenagers!

ERNurse752, RN · Oct 25, 2004

And don't forget all the whipped cream you can eat! Stay away from the cranberry sauce though.

sherichance · Oct 25, 2004

I was 19 when mine came out. It was hard on me. I had saliva so thick that I could not swallow, all I could do was spit so lets just say that I didnt sleep for many nights.

I lost over 15 pounds due tot he fact I could not eat and actually food did not taste right. I dont know what it was but it was a very weird experience.

I would honestly have to say that it took 4 months for me to feel completely better.

Just hang in there and rest all you can.

LydiaGreen · Oct 25, 2004

Keep the tips coming guys! My 7 year old is having T&A surgery in January and I can use all of the good advice you can give!

That is a bummer, Jennifer - missing out on the Thanksgiving dinner. But, you were smart to get it over and done with before the Christmas holiday!

okie2 · Oct 30, 2004

Keep the tips coming guys! My 7 year old is having T&A surgery in January and I can use all of the good advice you can give!
That is a bummer, Jennifer - missing out on the Thanksgiving dinner. But, you were smart to get it over and done with before the Christmas holiday!

Our friend's 8 yr old daughter had T&A surgery and did great--she recovered very quickly (much more so than me!) and she has been so much healthier- and sleeps great too!

Hope the same for your little one!