Post-Tonsillectomy Overview: pain control, diet, bleeding concerns, physical limitations

Full recovery takes 2-3 weeks
Young children recover faster, back to normal in 2 weeks
Older children and adults take a full 3 weeks to get back to normal

It's better to stay ahead of the pain than to try and catch up after it is out of control
Alternate Tylenol and Motrin for baseline control
Add a narcotic (like Morphine) if needed
Pain can usually be managed reasonably well, but no way to feel no pain
Make sure that you stay hydrated - if urine too dark and not going to the bathroom much, may need IV fluids
If taking narcotics, avoid driving, working, operating heavy machinery, signing legal documents

Temperatures up to 101 are fairly normal and usually go down with tylenol/motrin

Call the office if any bleeding occurs
Ice water, ice chips, and popsicles may stop or slow the bleeding
Old blood in the stomach can look like coffee grounds

Bleeding risk lasts for 2 weeks
During the 2 weeks, no strenuous activity
Also no plane or boat travel, and stay close to healthcare (no remote travel)

Bad breath can be dramatic and will go away when healing is complete
Neck stiffness is also normal and will go away when healing is complete

Most children miss 1 week of school, 2 weeks of P.E.
Most adults miss 1 week of work, 2 if the job is physical in nature

Medical Disclaimer: All comments are generalizations and intended to be for educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[nargizarzu]

Just had my tonsillectomy two weeks ago and I finally felt back to normal on day 9-10. Here are some of my top tips for an easier/quicker recovery:
- Sleep with your head elevated for a week after the surgery, this is gonna prevent/ease earaches.
- Make a pain meds schedule and organise the times you take them, and do not skip! (if you feel nauseous or vomit from pain meds, ask your doctor to prescribe you something to ease nausea, trust me it helps)
- Try your best to stay hydrated and eat even if it hurts, without food and liquids you will slow your recovery. I forced soft food and water/sports drinks down even though it hurt, and keeping the throat moist with drinking frequently helps your scabs stay soft and come off better/less painful.
- if you feel a bit better by day 4, try to do some light activity like going on a walk, it is going to get your mind off the pain for a little while and I noticed that moving my body and getting my blood flowing a bit helped with pain.

[Rufia]

Doc is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, stay AHEAD of the pain or you’re screwed!
I had the surgery 20 days ago and I made the rookie mistake on day 5 telling myself; “Oh I can survive on paracetamol and ibuprofen”🤦🏼‍♀️🙅🏼‍♀️ NOPE! Keep taking pain meds(opioids and narcotics) even if the pain hasn’t hit yet, because once it does, you’re gonna be in A LOT of pain for up to 10 days straight, and NO pain meds are gonna help you! I couldn’t eat for days because I needed pain meds to eat, and you need food in your stomach to take the pain meds! If you’re an adult having this surgery, please learn from my mistake! I see lots of post op videos on here where everybody made the same mistake! You’re welcome, and I wish you a speedy recovery!💖
Ps: Buy the ice blocks that’s used for coolers/chilly bins and wrap it up in a towel(for your cheeks/neck/ears) and eat ice cream/ice chips, it helps a lot!

[palevrandevr]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post videos like these, I've the weekend and Day 3 for me Post surgery and my uvula has finally started to reduce in swelling. the Pain is still ridiculous but these videos reassure me there's hope.

[sonjaross]

Thank you for posting this. I'm having a tonsillectomy tomorrow. I feel optimistic that it will be painful for a short while then improve the quality of my health and life in the long run.

[moby]

Anyone figured pain is at its worst when you wake up in the morning?

[prkz]

I remember when it felt good to eat or drink well only 2 more weeks of hell and I can finally brush my teeth, sleep, and eat

[coyotestarastrology]

Thank you for taking the time to make this clear and informative video.
I’m 34 years old and in day 2 and can’t believe how painful it is. So scared of risk of bleeding after all the stories. The worst part is this mucus! It makes it so hard not to cough. Wasn’t expecting that part. Ahh.

[jasonyang]

Hey guys, my journey so far (today is D5):
- D0/D1: admitted to ICU post op as I had sleep apnea due to chronically enlarged tonsils. Went quite well, pain not too bad, was actually eating porridge next day with minimal issues
- D2: pain a bit worse but still not bad, trying to maintain hydration + having jello/ice cream
- D3: pain was 6-7/10 on waking, felt like someone took a veggie peeler to my throat and painful to swallow. I was discharged on an NSAID, TXA, and strong opioid breakthru med (Take them and don't try to be a hero). Also had minor bleed - I tend to notice it happens when I wake up, probably due to my throat being super dry and maybe the scabs breaking up but minor bleeding which resolved on its own
- D4: pretty bad pain again on waking, taking the strong opioid medication more regularly - allows me to stay on top of the pain + easier to eat (although the only solid thing I have had so far was chicken/corn soup)
- D5: today....its a bit up and down, pain tends to be worse in morning settles throughout day if I stay hydrated and medicated. Got a bad taste in my mouth as well...

Advice:
- maintain hydration, ice chips/popsicles, watermelon smoothie - I noted more saliva after eating dairy so just something to be mindful of
- don't be a hero, take the pain meds and stay on top of it rather than reacting to the pain
- mobilize as tolerated - just short walks around the neighborhood will do wonders
- you'll get there - everyone does

[barbharris]

Thank you so much for making this video. I’m a grandmother helping out my daughter while her and hubby work. I just didn’t expect the smell on day six. I’m from Australia 🇦🇺 and once again THANK YOU for taking the time to make this post. May God bless you and your family.🙏💕

[mikeseigel]

Had mine out at 35yoa. My doc said, “it’s gonna be brutal”. He wasn’t lying. Tylenol and Motrin didn’t do anything. It it was totally worth it. I haven’t been sick since then.

[sleepy]

getting mine out on november 3 and i’m binge watching videos about it because i’m very nervous lol

[daniellefrank]

Thank you. I'm so INFLAMED. My throats almost swollen shut! Water stings! Every time I manage to swallow a large amount if phlegm comes up and gets stuck.

[KevConc]

Thanks Doc! Just got this surgery done. It’s hasn’t been easy but we are recovering promptly and very well! Just 4/5 days out and feeling way better with less & less pills or meds :)

[porterp.]

Thank you Dr Liu for these videos. I'm currently recovering from my surgery(day 6) and you have answered many questions that I've been wanting to know. Pain is terrible but at least I now know I'm in the right path.

[angiemayer]

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO IT WAS VERY HELPFUL

[truthteller]

I can’t wait to have mine removed. I am tired and walking around like a zombie every single day from lack of good sleep.

[exquisitenailsbynancy]

when will the hyper salivation end ? I can’t even sleep or do anything with out having to spit every 3 seconds .... I’m on day 8 I have been like this for 3 days now, ,, thank you !

[Myusernameistakenwtf]

Ugh, watching these videos a couple days before my surgery is giving me so much anxiety. I'm scared of the pain making me dehydrated but I'm even more anxious about nausea. It's the worst

[rickn]

having my tonsils removed was the best thing i ever had done.

[MeriBeri]

Thank you soo much. This helped me a lot. I just got my tonsils out yesterday and boy is it rough. The tip about staying ahead of the pain is game changer because I'm really bad with pain.