Tonsillectomy

Hi all. I know I don't post very often, and a tonsillectomy probably is one of the more minor surgeries one can have... but I'm terrified! I'm having my tonsils out because (among other things) they are huge and block about half of my throat. I've never had surgery before, but I hear the recovery is pretty rough. If you can spare some vibes or words of encouragement, I'd really appreciate it. My surgery appointment is this Friday.

:cross::cross::cross: that all goes well Friday. The recovery really isn't that rough. I had mine out as an adult, and was up showering (a no-no: Wait a day, because the hot water can cause hemorrhaging) within an hour of getting out of recovery. The one thing you'll have is a sore throat, but you should get some liquid to numb it before meals, and your food will be pureed. That disappears in a little over a week. You'll feel a lot better with them out!

Ick!  That doesn't sound fun at all!  But you'll be SO much better when you recover.  There is a forum devoted to ear, nose and throat problems and there is a lot of "patient reports" on tonsillectomies here:  www.healthboards.com .

Good luck!!!!

Cally

Awww hun,I have had my tonsils out and it was fine,a bit sore afterwards but I soon recovered and they will take very good care of you in hospital.Its worth it,especially if you suffer with pesky tonsillitis a lot.I hope it all goes well sweetie.xx

Good vibes to you, I hope it all goes well on Friday! I had mine out when I was in high school, and I was nervous just like you, but everyone at the hospital was very sweet and they take good care of you! And it's a good excuse to eat lots of ice cream and popsicles afterwards. Get some good books and movies to pass the time, and you'll be back to good in no time  

Thank you for the well-wishes. It's 9 hours before my surgery, and I'm a nervous wreck. I keep thinking about everything that could go wrong. It doesn't help to read so many horrific recovery stories that have been posted online, but this thread is pretty positive. Right now, I feel sick with worry. I guess the trick is to take the recovery a day at a time. Part of what worries me is that my husband works every weekday, and there's no one to take care of me if I'm not doing too well come Monday.

You'll be fine, especially by Monday. Just make sure you actually rest. The anesthesia might make you feel a tiny bit groggy for 2 or 3 days, but it depends on the individual. We'll all be thinking of you today.

Good luck today! Sending lots of good luck wishes that everything goes well.

Sending good luck your way today!!!!

Sending you huge  for today hun.xx

I'm home from the surgery. The anesthesia was much more pleasant than I expected. No nausea yet.

My uvula is very swollen, and my throat is very sore. I've had 10 ounces of gatorade and half of an ice pop in the past 3 hours. It hurts to swallow, but I keep telling myself that I have to do it to speed up the recovery. I think it'll get a little easier when I no longer feel like I'm about to swallow my uvula.. So far, I am managing. I had to make a chart to keep track of my medicines because I'm in and out of sleep with little concept of how much time has passed.

The doctor said my tonsils were so inflamed that there's an increased risk of bleeding for me... so that's one negative. I will be as gentle as I can and pray that I don't bleed. Today, my husband is my caretaker. He stayed home from work to take care of me, but get this- he's sound asleep!

It's good to hear you're home and in one piece! You'll be able to wake your husband up if you need to, but you probably won't. Did they give you anything to ease the pain when you eat? I remember it hurt to swallow anything, so I had an orange-flavored liquid I drank around 15 minutes before eating. After about 3 or 4 days I was told to eat bread to help the scabbing go away, so I had to eat bits of something similar to Wonder Bread, which I hate (too soft and mushy).

Take it easy, and for a speedy recovery!

I'm glad you're home and doing OK!

This is no easy recovery for someone over 12!!!

My daughter - at the age of 37 (?) had to have hers out - and boy!  She had prepared as much as anyone could - I think she posted in a forum about her progress.

Her husband built her a small tent with a humidifier over her bed to help her throat not dry out - especially when she was asleep.

The pain meds are really important, too.  The blood clots are of special concern and not to be discounted should one break.

I hope you have a quick and good recovery - I just know it will all be worth it.

Here's her info:  http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?s=2aa543e118ff45d93b6191d6e14a40f4&t=600956

Thank you all for the words of encouragement. I feel lonely in this, and am humbled by the kindness shown to me.

GloriaJH, thank you for posting a link to your daughter's experience. It is definitely helpful to read about what others experienced during their recovery.

I prepared with a lot of liquids and soft foods. I am very hungry, but am sticking to liquids because they're more gentle on my wounds. Broth and ice water are my favorite things. The ice chips... I'm afraid of falling asleep with those in my mouth. I am so groggy and forgetful.

One thing that is helping me get sleep is... I wear a face mask in addition to running a humidifier. The warm moist air is pleasant. I do still wake up periodically  to remind myself to swallow my saliva, though.

Pain meds are kicking in, and I'm falling asleep at the keyboard. You wouldn't believe how long it has taken me to write just a few sentences.

Pain meds are probably just the thing for you right now. You're going to be fine. Honest. Sending you some  and lots of  to feel better soon. If you can, post something tomorrow, so we know you're feeling better!

I just remember eating lots and lots of soft-serve frozen yogurt (was 14 at the time)!   Good for the swelling and yummy.    They told me I had to eat lots of bread too though when recovering, supposedly the texture is good to help scrub things clean and I was not to eat only soft food so might want to ask if that's the case for yourself as well, but that is kinda ouchy!   Not fun, that's for sure, but I recall I was good to go a week later.

Biggest thing that I didn't want to do was drink water, have to force yourself, as it helps the healing go faster. 

Awww hun,I am so glad it all went well now the recovery,just take it easy and yeah keep up on your pain meds.It is harder the older you get but I know you will be fine sweetie.xx

I woke up feeling weak, hungry. The pain seems less, but that might be because of how hungry I am.

The doctor said that I have a higher risk of bleeding beyond day 7 because of how swollen my tonsils were, so I'm afraid of injuring my wounds. I'm afraid to eat because I'm afraid I'll start bleeding. Is that irrational? On the other hand, maybe my body will heal faster if I am having more nutritious things.

What if I do everything I'm supposed to and I still bleed? I worry too much, maybe.

Just make sure nobody makes you laugh afterward, my sister still hates that I kept being silly and making her laugh which apparently hurts Nice sister I am!