Anyone on This List Ever Have a Tonsilectomy as an Adult?

I was 22 when I had mine out. It was painful and the recovery was much longer than I had expected--it was about a full two weeks until I could talk normally again, and about a month before my throat stopped feeling sore. Despite the pain (not nearly as bad as childbirth) and the long recovery, it did in fact help me.

Good luck!

S.-

I had mine out when I was about 24 (I'm 29 now) and it was awful. It WAS outpatient surgery for me and I was in and out in about 2 hrs, but it took me about a month before I had my voice back and I had a CONSTANT mild sore throat for about a year and a half afterwards. Immediately after the surgery, the pain was often so severe even with the strong pain meds that I would vomit.

The ENT told me that it takes adults a VERY long time to heal from this- you can still be having some problems for a year, but they could not figure out why my throat stayed sore for quite that long.

I think stress may have had something to do with my pain because I was a single mom, missing work at the time to deal with all of it (plus I'd had a mild concussion just before) and was still nursing my daughter, so I was afraid to be "drugged up" on the pain meds all of the time.

After about 3 yrs, I did notice that I got less sore throats when I got a cold, and when I did get them they weren't as severe as before.

My husband had his tonsils out last year and he never lost his voice at all or sounded very raspy from it, did not have much pain and didn't even WANT to take his pain meds. He was back to work in 4 days with no ill side effects. His was part of apnea surgery though, so I can't comment on whether sore throats have decreased because that really wasn't an issue with him to begin with.

If allergies and/or snoring are a problem for you, ask if they can take your adenoids and/or turbinates (in your nose) at the same time. It will lessen your allergy problems and help you sleep more quietly.

Best of wishes,
Amanda R.
mommy to Pixie, aspiring IBCLC

I had the surgery as an adult in my late twenties. The pain was excruciating and lasted about one week. It hurt so bad that I was afraid to swallow my own saliva. At night when I would try to sleep I couldn't because it felt like my throat was closing. I can usually tolerate alot of pain. I had a previous c-section prior and it was nothing compared to this. BUT, I have not had any throat infections or ear infections since. It also helped with my snoring. My husband used to complain and now he says I no longer snore. I had the surgery 7 years ago and can say that the good outweighs the bad. So if you can tolerate the pain for one week, I think it will help you in the long run. Good Luck, D.

Hi S.. I have not had a tonsilectomy but a very close friend of mine had one last summer. It was not good, but some of that was her fault. Whatever the doc tells you to do or not to do...... PLEASE DO IT. She was talking too much after the surgey and eating things she wasn't supposed to and she ripped it open. I am not trying to scare you, just to warn you. She recovered for about 9 weeks, but she was still active and able to go to bbq's. She says now that it wasn't that bad and she's glad she had it done.

S.-

I had a tonsilectomy last December. I am 34 years old. It was excrutiating! It took me nearly 8 weeks to get to the point that I could swallow without wanting to cry. I was actually still nursing my son and had to pump and dump...it was so hard. But I like you have always had large tonsils..Then, last Nov. I had strep three times and the last time, they couldn't find an antibiotic that would stop the infection. It was tough...I have to tell you that since the surgery, I have had strep throat twice...make sure you talk to your ENT about this. A tonsilectomy only takes out the tonsils...adenoids usually stay in...and strep throat can occur in your throat as well. Let me know if I can help you ____@____.com.

Carolyn

Yes... I was about 20 when I got mine out. Aside from them finding that I have a abnormal heartbeat, the surgey went without a hitch. The only real strange thing was staying in the children's wing overnight!

It was TOTALLY worth it. I lived with strep throat & tonsilitis (and at it's worse, absesses behind my tonsils) and have not have had any of those since. Infections (I guess) shift... so now I have more sinus issues... but again... the best thing I've ever done. You won't regret it.

Jen~

Hi S.,
i was 18 when I had mine out. Just before going under, I burst into a fit of giggles, then out. But I got really sorry for myself when I came round "that was the worst experience of my life" sob sob etc, while not quite awake yet. It was not very comfortable for a while.Adults do take longer to recover than kids..but 2 days later, I was up and about, but just eating soothing food. It hurts,but is bearable. My advice is stock up onsoothing food (popsicles,ice cream, jello etc) and stock up on people who can give you loads of TLC for a day or 2.

Good luck with it all,
L.

Hi,

I just had my tonsils out November '06 at 34 yrs. old. I also had problems every year with them and kept getting sick a lot. This is an outpatient procedure and it took about 1/2 day. Yes, it will hurt to swallow and you will be uncomfortable for about 9 days. You just need to lay in bed for about a week and take your pain meds. Eating is very difficult, so plan on an all liquid diet for about a week. I was pretty miserable for a week but this winter my whole family was very sick and I wasn't!! Just think, when you have the flu you're miserable for a week so you can get through it! It's not that bad :) Hope this helps.

My husband had his tonsils out when he was in his early 30s It went way easier then what anyone said it would He had no problems at all and was back to work in a week. The pain was very little and it is pretty cool they actually do it totally different then they use to but I won't go into details because it will sound gross but it is a very simple out patient thing to have done and since that day my husband has not been sick again his tonsils were actually making him sick he was very happy to have them out.
If you need a doctor my WHOLE family
(mom,dad,husband,kid,myself,friends,)have been to this doctors office There are several doctors in this office but they are all great if they don't think you need them out they won't take them out they will give you other solutions.
The staff is great also
Livingston David L Md
390 East Congress Parkway, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
phone: ###-###-####
Relax and I hope you feel better soon.
Have a great day.

S.,

I had my tonsils out nearly 12 years ago (I was 21 at the time) and like others...it was not a fun experience. HOWEVER, at the time, my doctor was just getting ready to unveil some new outpatient process. By the time I went in again for a 6 month check-up...he had started it and kept telling me how the people were up and back to work/school within less than a week! There was less pain, etc. That was 12 years ago. On a side note - I did feel like eating more solid food within about 10 days and I have had no complications since then - not even 1 sore throat. It was absolutely worth it! I was doing trips to the ER, getting tested for mono, etc...I was SO sick of being sick!

On a side note - I would suggest doing some research on the types of procedures now offered for tonsil removal. One of the other responses sounded as if her husband had great success with this. Just to make certain - if you know something better is out there than what your dr offers, it would be worth the effort in going somewhere else.

Good luck to you - I'd love to hear how it goes! -D.

I didn't have this done as a n adult but an older child I would say, 15 or 16. It was not fun but in the long run, to not have problems with your throat being sore all the time, it's worth it. I've had a few surgeries, being put under. It depends on the person how your body reacts to anethesia. I did not have any vomiting after the tonsilectomy. I just remember feeling very groggy.
Best of luck to you.