I had my tonsils removed 10 days ago, and today is the first day I've felt any true relief. The surgery wasn't bad. Of course you're sedated with some really good medicine as you’re being wheeled into the room, and then you’re totally knocked out. But upon waking up, I discovered a very painful sore throat, worse than strep. There hasn't been much bleeding at all, but it has been rather painful. I'm 28 years old, and even though I've read some previous older folks say they didn't suffer too much, I can't lie and say it was the same for me. Please don’t get me wrong; I still think it's 100% worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Those things are nasty, and my tonsils were causing me problems. I was finding them every day or so, and I was having to suck the "stones" out of the back of my throat because I gag too much to stick something back there. I just figured I'd weigh in and let y'all know that there's a chance it will hurt. You just have to drink and eat a lot. For me, I've had to eat really soft stuff like mac and cheese, fettuccine alfredo, applesauce, jello, homemade chocolate milkshakes and pudding. But tonight I'm going to attempt to scarf down a cheeseburger. Frankly, I've been staring at the television this whole time, and it seems like all they show are fast food ads. That's been torture!!
Anyway, I don't know if mine is the worst case scenario. I would highly recommend this surgery to anyone, although it might hurt for a few days and you might not be able to work or talk a whole lot. Just get a Magna Doodle, have a caring person around to play nurse, take your hydrocodone meds, drink plenty of non-carbonated stuff, and you'll be fine.

Hi Guys!!! Well it's day 12. I'm feeling pretty good. I can talk regularly. I think if I hadn't gotten thrush I could probably be eating regular food by now. The thrush is almost gone and I think that is what's causing the pain. The doctor told me that the thrush was worse on the left side and that's the only side that hurts. The right side feels totally normally and doesn't even hurt. I was taking the liquid pain meds hydrocodone and had no problems at all. In fact it's still helping me get through the night. I stopped taking it during the day. I would still recommend taking all meds as prescribed. Just get lots of rest and cold food. My doctor also recommended Gatorade. That and Propel are good drinks. Don't forget to tell your doctor about the steriods. Extremely important!! Day 2 wasn't that bad. My doctor said at my 1 week checkup that was because of the steriods. Good luck!! Let me know how it goes.

[This message has been edited by cece766 (edited 10-16-2003).]

Hello all!

BTW- I forgot to add that I am 31 yrs old- and the surgery was a breeze!

Last spring I looked up tonsil stones on yahoo - but didn't find this site. That's a total bummer because I would have been a little braver at my doctor's. I found out the technical name- tonsiloliths - and set up an appointment with my primary doc one day that I had the "sh** ball." Luckily it was still there when she looked in my mouth and thus she believed me. I had an ENT appointment set up for 1 1/2 months later. Oh great, I thought, I have to have another "SH** ball" then too so the doc believes me. The ENT knew exactly what I was talking about and fortunately suggested the removal of both tonsils.

I RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY!!! My surgery was on Halloween-- it took a total of 10 minutes. That's it. The surgeon told my husband that everything went great- little bleeding, and the left tonsil (my problem one) had TONS of those little "SH** balls" inside. YUCK!

I woke up in first stage recovery about 30 minutes later and they wheeled me up to the formal hospital room. I slept a lot due to the anesthesia. I was given steriods to prevent swelling (through the IV) and I think that was the wonder solution!!! I have had very little pain or problems since the surgery.

To leave the hospital, I had to urinate and do 3 laps around the nurses station. I whipped through that and got antzy over leaving. When I returned home, I took my dose of meds (hydrocodone and antibiotics) but did not feel real tired until later that evening. I drank a lot of egg nog (although that made me very mucousy) and a lot of jello/pudding and soup.

Saturday I slept for about 3 hours in the afternoon, otherwise I was up doing stuff around the house. Sunday I went to church (didn't talk much) and ate lunch at McDonalds- not a lot but I was really craving the fries.

I am taking myself off the hydrocodone since I don't think I really need it. I am taking 2 extra strength tylenol for the ear pain though. I got a lot of housework done today and even went shopping. After supper my ears started pounding so I broke down and took a dose of hydrocodone. I took a short nap and now am very energized.

I am eating almost normally (it stings but it's not utterly painful). I am drinking a lot.

I am thinking of kissing my doctor's feet when I see him next week. This hasn't been bad at all. I think it might be due to the steriods I received after surgery.

This is an awesome site!!!!

PS- My mom had her right tonsil taken out last year for the same reason. She was 56 at the time and recovered in a couple days. She was in more pain than I am, but I don't think it was massively severe.

"SH** ball" free and loving it!!!

Now, if I could only get rid of this "mouldy" look in the back of my mouth. The foul breath I assume will stick around until I'm fully recovered.

Daysha-- highly recommend Dr. Kevin Carpenter- PCI ENT Cedar Rapids, Iowa!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Jenn & everyone else!

I called my regular doc today about the clicking jaw-- they just suggested massive doses of ibuprophen. I guess I'll have to get it checked out when I get back from the holidays.

Jenn--

I had my mother watch my two boys for 5 days during and after surgery. That was definitely needed- even though I thought recovery went well. I had no stress and could sleep whenever I wanted- and do whatever I needed to without distractions. This is a good time to do it too-- since you'll have Thanksgiving and the weekend to recover.

Your husband will need to be in the waiting room during surgery and drive you home (I assume you know that). Mine got bored easily, but he brought his laptop along to play games and such.

Right after surgery you'll wake up in the 1st stage recovery. They'll take your vitals and make sure you're stable. Then they'll wheel you up to your room half dazed. I slept for about 3 hours off and on when the gal came in to check vitals and my throat. Your throat will look extremely disgusting- and you're breath will be equally gross. The back of your throat will look mouldy-- green, dark green, yellow, dark red, etc. The darker colors are the blood vessels that were caterized (sp?)-- they burn the blood vessels to stop the bleeding.

They'll have you urinate at least once if not twice and measure your output. Once you feel ok- they'll ask you to walk around a bit. They'll give you your scripts for hydrocodone- liquid (narcotic with tylenol), nausea med (mine was a suppository that I never took), and a liquid antibiotic. You'll be sent home.

The mouldy look started disappearing around day 5-7. My holes are now starting to close and the white film disappeared around day 14. I used half strength mouthwash the first couple days and then full strength after that to stave the foul breath and clean my mouth up. I assumed that this would hurt, but it really didn't.

To stave the weight loss I used egg nog, pudding, lots of jello, etc. The egg nog made me very mucusy- but it was worth it! If only I could drink 2 gallons of eggnog everyday, eh?!!! I also think if you can get up your calorie count, you're recovery will be better. And the sooner you can get off the hydrocodone, the better. Obviously if you need it- you need it. But 2 xtra strength tylenol did fine with me after day 3. That helped the weird out-of touch of reality feeling to go away. PS- don't drive under the influence of the hydrocodone.

:0) It really won't be too bad-- and think of this as a way to not have turkey leftovers (at least until Christmas) !!! Ha!

PSS- Your ears will hurt- A LOT. That, to me, was the worst. But the tylenol helped. They won't let you take ibuprophen because of potential blood thinning factors.

Last note-- I tossed and turned the first two nights of sleep (I attribute it to the narcotics). I layed out a sleeping bag in the bathroom and put a small heater and humidifier aimed at me. That was nice! Not the sleeping on the floor part- but the heat and humidity was really wonderful.

Theres a couple good pics if you seach on google- images- for tonsillecomy