Anyone ever have their tonsils out as an adult.?

Question

Does it really hurt a lot more when you are an adult, than when your young?

I have just been diagnosed with OSA and prescribed a CPAP machine, and I've read that enlarged tonsils are partly to blame for this condition. I'm going to get a referral to a good ENT soon.

I've also read that adults have more post-operative pain than children in tonillectomies because adults just tend to "***** a lot more than kids". Then again, you can't believe everything you read on the net either.

I've heard of ENT's advising their patients to chew gum to help with the recovery (chewing produces saliva which helps keep the throat from drying out), but I've never, ever heard of a surgeon telling the patient to eat potatoe chips right after a surgery. Wouldn't this cause problems with recovery? thx

Answer 1

You need to really get several opinions as an adult there are more risks involved. I had mine taken out at 18 and it was an ugly ordeal. Dont do it unless its absolutely necessary.

Answer 2

I had my tonsils out 6 months ago at age 37. It was the best things I could have done for myself. As the ENT said, my pediatrician (and every doc since) did me a big disservice by not taking them out a long time ago.

I had a lot of discomfort but the pain was kept under control with pain meds. My ENT recommended eating doritos or chips--anything really crunchy and salty. I thought he was nuts, but he was right on. Dairy products such as ice cream aren't really good, similar to when you have a cold. Keep away from really hot stuff too. It can cause bleeding. However, drink, drink, drink. It hurts a whole lot more if you let your throat get dry.

My partner brought me a couple of my favorite "forbidden" foods to encourage me to eat at first--a soft pretzel, fritos and Chipotle!

Overall it wasn't anywhere near as bad as some people want to believe. I am so glad to have those horrid tonsils gone. I don't snore, I don't wake up with a bad sore throat, and popcorn kernels don't get stuck under them!

Answer 3

I had mine removed when I was 30. I sat in a big "high chair" and had a local anesthesia. A specialist did the surgery and he ordered a large bowl of potato chips to my bedside. I had to eat the entire bowl of chips if I wanted to go home in 24 hours. I was not allowed to eat/drink any dairy products but was fed a regular diet in the hospital. I was served pork chops, stewed potatoes, green beans, bread, and apple pie for one meal. I went home the next day and got along fine. Very little discomfort. And no more tonsillitis!!!!

Answer 4

They say it does, but I think it's only because adults are bigger babies than most kids.

Remember to keep drinking and swallowing and you will recover a thousand times faster than if you try to put that off. As an adult you have the added benefit of asking for pain killers...something they don't give kids after the first few hours (at least here they don't) but the whole secret is to keep drinking and swallowing...warm soups are good too as the salt helps the healing...not hot though, warm.

Answer 5

I think its different for everyone. I got mine taken out a year and a half ago and it when the drugs wore off it was the worst pain Ive ever been in and I had natural childbirth! It was horrible I was drinking liquid codeine like it was candy just so I would fall asleep and not feel anything! Sorry but its true. It could be different for you though!

Answer 6

I had mine removed 4 yrs ago. I was 43 at the time. The first 2 day's were a little rough but, it really wasn't all that bad. I had to stay away from the gym for 2 weeks.....that killed me lol....... Soup and Ice-cream go down way easy.....hope yours goes smooth too...good luck........ ;)

Answer 7

Sorry, not me.

But, relax.

I heard it ain't no biggie.

All the best.