Hi all! I am having a septoplasty, tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy done on the 23rd of this month and I was wondering if anyone else had any of these done and what the recovery was like. I've got a pretty high tolerance for pain and have had 3 c-sections before, so I'm wondering how these surguries will compare, pain wise. I wasn't concerned with it when I made the appointment, but the more people that I need to tell the more I hear that the recovery is awful. I just wanted to know what other people had experienced so I can get an idea of what to expect. Thanks!
OK, this sucked more than anything has ever sucked in my life before. EASILY worse than a c-section. Here I am, three weeks later, and still recovering. I couldn't have imagined the pain that I would be in....the septoplasty was fine. My nose never hurt at all and I've had no problems with it besides a kid running into me once in a while, but my jaws, throat and ears hurt like nothing I've ever felt. I thought it was going to be easier than it was, and boy was I wrong. I found out about a week after the surgery that one of our friends is having the same thing, so at least I could prepare him! Thanks for all the advise, I appreciate the honesty about how bad it really is.
I got my tonsiles out when I was in 9th grade, they sent me home with liquid medication for pain and my throat was so swollen that the medication would just come out my nose.
I could not eat anything due to not being able to swallow.
After about 5 days I could eat things like icecream, pudding...It was worth it in the long run because I'm not sick all the time with sorethroats and fevers. Good luck
well I do belive I can help you out a bit!! I had a septaplasty and my sinus' scraped 2 times in 2008!! I won't lie, it its hell!!! they had to break my nose to help with sinus and breathing issuses. My nose was so soooooooooooooooo sore!!! it hurt for about 3 to 4 weeks, but it is worth it!!! good luck!!!
Hi B.. I too felt like it would be no big deal and when the DR told me 2 weeks recovery I thought, I could at least cut that in half. Well, I was wrong. I had my surgery at 28 and had 2 kids and took care of another child. which I went back to full time after a week and I was so weak. The big problem is that you cannot eat anything! So you are so weak, and can barely move. It was so much energy to go to the bathroom the 1st couple of days. I would say make sure someone is there at least the 1st week with you at all times to take care of your kiddos and anything you will need. Good luck! The good thing at least with me is that I lost almost 10 pounds!
Just wanted to note that it is very possible to have a lot of nausea after the tonsilectomy, especially as you get older. I was throwing up for a couple of days on top of having a sore throat. Was glad to have help with the kids (at the time my oldest was 5 and youngest was 8 months) After three days though I was able to stop the strong meds and continued breast feeding with only otc meds. My surgery wasn't as complicated as yours, I have a high pain tolerance, but wasn't prepared to be throwing up so much. (as a side note, I have had three ear surgeries, and had the mastoid bone scraped w/ the third. I also delivered 3x with very little pain intervention and 1x with none.) Long story short, have help and be prepared for the worst no matter how strong you think you are! Good luck with your surgery. I've been greatful for everything and once you are feeling more like yourself you will be too.
Hi B.,
I had a tonsillectomy at the age of 24, I am now 31. It was the most awful, painful experience of my life! I had a vaginal birth with my daughter and the contractions and pain of the delivery were cake compared to the tonsillectomy. I was on narcotic pain meds around the clock for about 3-4 days. It took at least a week to feel normal. I couldn't open my mouth to breath, so I couldn't imagine having a septoplasty at the same time. I hope your spouse is able to run the house without your help for a few days or you have helpers. I know I wouldn't be able to do it again, especially with children, without a good support system. Good Luck!
I haven't had any of these surgeries, but just remember that most people make it seem worse than it really is. I had a scheduled c-section and all I heard from people is about how terrible it was, I was totally freaked out. I had one friend who told me it was a breeze, and gave me some tips. I had a great surgery, and was walking within 12 hours of the surgery. Just go in with a positive attitude. There may be some pain, but if you are having this surgery, you must have been in pain before, so that pain is going to go away. Good luck!
Hi B.,
I will warn you that my post is not going to be sugarcoated....
I had my tonsils and adenoids removed when I was a teenager, and I remember feeling downright awful for the first week, and then not-so-hot for the second week. I have never had a c-section so I can't compare, but I remember the pain being pretty bad.
As others have pointed out, you will feel very weak, in large part because you can not eat anything solid. Since you have 3 small children, I would advise you to have someone come over EVERY DAY for the first week to help you out. You will be in no shape to take care of your kids, and you may very well need help taking care of yourself.
I hesitate to share this because it is graphic, but after a tonsillectomy, you will puke up the dried blood that collects in your stomach during surgery. (The doctor will tell you this if he/she hasn't already, so it's not exactly a secret.) It is nasty and it hurts your throat like hell. I remember getting sick on the kitchen floor, and my mother--who was a nurse's aide and had seen it all--was so grossed out by it that she ran into the other room gagging, and I was left to clean it up myself.
And you know what? My tonsils grew back a few years later. ;-)
Good luck to you.
I had just my tosils removed and only had three days to recover before I had to go back to work. It was awful! At the time I had two small boys under the age of 3 and nobody at home to help me.(My husband had to go right back to work.) Everytime you go to swallow you want to cry. I too have a very high tolerance for pain but was a bit out numbered by this procedure. Best of luck to you and hope all goes well.
