Tonsillectomy

Anybody ever have this procedure? What's it like? I may need to have it done.

Thanks,

John

It hurts like hell when its over. Otherwise not a very complicated procedure. You will be swollen to the point where you can barely swallow your own spit.

Luckily I never had to go though the procedure. I was born in early 60's and many classmates had theirs removed as it was a rather popular thing to do back then. Luckily I had a pediatrician who was not so quick to have them ripped out when I had tonsillitis. A doctor ahead of his time.

John: I had mine out in 1952; it was the "operation of childhood" at that point in time. I remember being given an enema the night prior. When I was wheeled into the operating room, they wound up putting me to sleep using ether.

Once I woke up, my throat was sore, don't remember it being really painful. Ice cream will become your friend (or anything cold and easily swallowed). You will also probably have a nasal drip for a few weeks; I remember having to clear my throat a lot for weeks afterwards. Also had my adenoids removed at the same time-it was a "two-fer" special back in the day.......

John,

I had mine taken out in 1974 or 75, can't remember which. I was heading towards the tail end of the push to take most kids tonsils out, and was still a very common practice. Looking back at it now, knowing what I know now as a medical professional, I would say that 70 percent, maybe more were not necessary. But as with most things, medicine not being an exception, more and more is learned every year, and we are learning what was common practice, "the norm", wasn't and always isn't what's best for the patient. I was just telling someone the other day about this topic and then, almost everyone had it done because it was really thought to be the best thing, now through medical advancements, we know better and only remove them if necessary, and it's warranted.

My kids were born 20 years later and I only remember hearing of a few of my girls friends that ever had their tonsiles taken out of them. I was one of the lucky ones, I actually needed to have them taken because I would get strep infection after strep infection. Having them removed did cut down on the frequency to about once or twice a year though, but after having them out, the docs thought it would keep me from getting strep at all, which, I would assume it would for the kids that only got it once in a great while in the first place, removing them would eliminate it even more so.

To be honest with you, at 4-5 years old, I don't remember a whole lot, just bits an pieces of things. I remember being in a bed, but it was a full sized bed but it had bars that pulled up on the sides making it almost look like a crib. I remember them having a lot of trouble getting me to sleep. They gave me a shot in my fanny when I was still in my room to make me sleepy, it didn't work, then down in the surgery area, they gave me some more, then some more. I remember being wheeled into the surgical suite and hearing the doctor say, "she's too little for that high of a dose, but nothing else is putter her down, lets do it." Apparently I woke up fine, had a bit of a sore throat, but hey, I could have all the ice cream and Popsicles I wanted. That's about all I remember back in the 70s.

Now, my oldest daughter at 17 suddenly started getting one strep infection after another, about 6-8 of them in a year. My GP finally sent her to the ENT who took one look at the size of them, popped out about 4 nasty smelling tonsile stones out of the pockets and promptly scheduled her for surgery 2 weeks later.

They say it's much more rough when you are an adult, and she was no exception. Because she was a senior in high school, we scheduled it during Christmas break. She really couldn't eat anything but ice cream, Popsicles, and luke warm soup for a good week or two, then over the next week she graduated up to soft food such as mashed potato's, mac and cheese, and other various things. I did have to have her liquid pain medication refilled twice. I would say from start to finish, it was pretty close to a month before she was totally back to herself again. But she has told me over and over again how much better she feels. It's been 2 years now and she hasn't even had a sore throat since, and on a bonus for the rest of us in the house, she no longer snores, lol. And trust me when I tell you, that's a huge blessing for all of us here at my house, lol.

Good luck, and please feel free to ask any more questions you might have, not sure I can help, but I will do my best and I am sure the other will as well.

Mashie

I had my tonsils and adenoids removed in 1994. I was 3 years old at the time and I don't remember much of the recovery. I remember a mask on my face and singing some song I heard on TV since my counting backwards was limited. I started reading at 2, but my ability to count came much later. I assume this is why I'm a journalist and not a mathematician, numbers and I don't mix. Anyways, I do remember being extremely aggressive coming out of anesthesia. I was flailing, kicking, punching... I broke my sister's nose and nailed the doctor in the happy sacks. I remember eating lots of jello and lots of iced tea. Sorry my details are sketchy; I don't remember much before 5 years.

Couldn't really tell you much since I was three at the time. I went in the same time as my five year old sister. Wonder if my parents got a two for one special.

Think i was about 5 or 6 when I had mine removed. Like others, this was in the '70s. I don't remember much about it, apart from the "treat" of having lots of ice-cream to combat the soreness.

I got mine out in 2004 when I was 15. I had had a case of strep that would not go away with any kind of antibiotic.. I had it for 3 months. Luckily it was asymptomatic, so I didn't really suffer at all. But the tonsils had to come out. I was fine for about the first 2 or 3 days and then the pain really set in... Not sure why that is. But after that I remember crying and spitting my saliva into a cup because it hurt too much to swallow... Also got a phenergan suppository for nausea.. interesting experience to say the least!

This is one of those procedures where pain control makes a world of difference. I had mine taken out when I was about 28 and I was very worried because I knew that for adults recovery is much more painful than for children (especially after day 4 or 5 when the initial scar tissue peels off).

So I insisted that my surgeon prescribe me some pretty strong stuff for afterwards, and in the end I was able to titrate the combination of two different opiate painkillers at a level where I was basically pain free, but I was still able to function at the level of reading books, browsing the internet, doing a bit of coding, etc.. So in the end it was just one week of staying home in a kind of relaxing semi-haze.

The other big thing was ice. The combination of moisture and cold really helps in reducing discomfort. Everyone knows stories of doctors prescribing ice cream post-tonsillectomy (which is actually not a good idea because the protein sticks to the wound), but I was not expecting to be literally sucking on ice continuously every minute I was awake for 10 days after the operation.

Most of the people I know who had their tonsils taken out in Europe told me stories of how much they suffered afterwards because over there the standard of care does not include prescribing drugs likes oxycodone afterwards.

Incidentally, tonsillectomy is not a risk-free procedure. There is a ~1% chance of post-operative bleeding, which is a life-threatening situation. So you want to make sure that for the 7 days or so after the procedure there is somebody around who can call help in case there is bleeding.

Gentleflow, you are very correct about both the icecream and about the post op bleeding. My daughters surgeon actually told her to stay away from all dairy products, i.e, icecream, cottage cheese and the like because of build up of phlem. He also gave us the warning speech about the chances of post op bleeding and how much greater it is in adults than it is in children. He never said why it was greater in adults than in kids, but I would guess it might be because adults often don't have the ability to heal as fast, or the luxury of being able to take the time off they actually need to heel. Adults are usually rushed back to work, or to life, most of which usually doesn't allow for ample or adequate healing time.

Mashie

They snatched my tonsils when I was six. That would have been in 1948. The worst part of it was the ether, which is great for starting engines and not so great for putting one to sleep. The best part was two young nurses who decided to see if I could get erect. I could. They giggled like maniacs.

Speed

I didn't want anything dairy related afterward- we had made custard and rice pudding but it tasted very weird...

Having my tonsils out is one of my earliest memories. Well, sortof earliest memory - it's a little hazy. I remember the hospital and the icecream and jelly.

I had my tonsils out when I was 5 (1993). Again like most here, I had strep many times. All I can remember after being held down and given anasthetic, is waking up to my family staring at me and being treated like a king. I ate so much ice cream back then.

As a kid, I was constantly catching a cold. The cough that came free with each cold would almost always degenerate into a sore throat.

And I was not alone - several kids in our neighbourhood had the same problem.

I guess, that's because we played together every day.

Anyway, when I was about 6, I had my tonsils removed - and they removed my adenoids as well. The doctor said that it would help with my breathing.

Many kids of my age went through the same operation within the same year.

After my operation, I remember being inundated with ice-cream, which I did not enjoy much because of the pain.

I spent two nights in the hospital. Got one injection in my bottom from a pretty nurse called Savita. Also got a fright of my life:

On my first evening (the night before the operation) in the hospital, a male nurse walked into the children's ward where I was kept. I was trying to sleep. It was a strange bed, strange place, strange place and no parents! My parents were asked to leave after visiting hours and I let them go without a fuss because they convinced me that I was a 'big boy' now!

Anyway, this guy walked in carrying a large covered steel tray. He looked around the large hall, then walked to his victim - a boy my age who was lying in bed reading a book.

I remember the look of surprise on the kid's face when he was made to sit up, giving him a glimpse of what was in the tray!

The nurse drew blood from his arm using a huge needle. The kid screamed loudly for several minutes.

I was so scared that I started to cry!

A female nurse came in to comfort the kid who had been poked. She then saw me crying and came and gave me a hug and the promise that the same thing would not happen to me.

Mercifully it didn't!

John - had mine out when I was 29, after endless strep throat every winter, sore throats constantly. Finally had one case that lasted painfully for months (I'm allergic to penicilin, they'd run out of things to try) and I had a tonsillectomy just weeks before my 30th bday (many, including some MDs, tried to talk me out of it, "You've made it this far with tonsils", "They're there for a reason", "The procedure is rough at your age"), ignored it all and went ahead.

Was done one morning in a hospital, under general anesthetic, awake after about 2 hours, sick to my stomach for 24 hours from anesthetic or something they used during the procedure, almost kept a 2nd night since I couldn't keep anything down.

Very painful throat for a week, lived on liquids & jello & lost a fair amount of weight. Codeine didn't do anything for the pain but I didn't care anymore after a few doses, so it still helped.

It was the single best thing I've ever done for myself - not one bout of strep since then, rarely even have a sore throat anymore, and it's been 25 years. The improvement in quality of life has been impressive.

I have NO regrets, am totally glad I did it and just sorry it wasn't done years earlier, saving me much grief and sick days.

Good luck. Make sure you're in the hands of the best dr you can find, even for a relatively minor procedure.

I had mine out at the age of 4. In those days they still used ether as the anesthetic. They would drip it onto a mask with a mesh screen. I still remember that when they began to do that, I pulled the mask off and threw it across the room, say that "it smells funny". The next thing I knew, the pinned my hands to the table and after a few struggling breaths, I awoke with a sore throat. In those days, you did get vanilla ice cream and post-op penicillin, whether you needed it or not, The ice cream was good, the other white stuff, well......

Actually having your tonsils out isn't mlnor surgery and is actually pretty major. I think because it's usually done or used to be mostly done on kids, that most people assume it to be minor. A lot can and easily could go wrong. It is your neck, your throat, your airway after all, just sayin.

However, I am a huge believer in having them removed. When I was a kid and I am now in my 40's, everyone had theirs out, almost everyone anyway. It didn't seem like a big deal, it was just something that everyone had done.

My oldest daughter had bouts with strep about once a year, then in her senior year of highschool she had one infection after another. Her doctor finally agreed to send us to the surgeon who after I pushed it a bit agreed to take them out. She had a pretty rough time with that surgery. Her doctor expressed to us how dangerous it can actually be, especially for an adult. After a few weeks post op recovery, she has not had another sore throat since, and it's been over 2 years now. She is mighty thankful she had it done. My other kid, I am not sure if she's even had a sore throat a day in her life. lol.

Mashie

I've been told that I should have my adenoids and tonsils out - I'm 30, got this news at 27 or so after having massive sinus issues that caused me to visit an ENT. I had visited an ENT at age 11-13 when I kept having nose bleeds and then, they had discovered my adenoids were enlarged. I look back now and wonder why my mom had decided against having them removed at the time, but I think part of it was me telling her I didn't want surgery. Now, I kind of wish I had had both tonsils and adenoids out when I was younger. My younger sis had her adenoids removed, but not her tonsils after having numerous ear infections... and she had tubes in her ears too.

Part of my decision right now NOT to have them removed is my weight. The heavier you are, the more dangerous surgery is. Eventually I should have them both removed as my tonsils are nasty producers of those awful tonsil stones, and every other month, I get sore throats usually caused by those tonsil stones. Maybe eventually I'll have them removed.

Like many that commented, I was 5 years old (1949) and our family physician believed that all children should have them removed. I remember Nurse Hill giving me an enema, I also remember being given ether and counting to ten. I don't remember much pain or discomfort, although i expect there was some, and, as others posted, I remember being given ice cream. The operation took place in the doctors office and in later years the smell as I entered that small office would bring back a lot of medical treatment memories.

My tonsils were removed at age 5 – late 1950's. Like srg_rik above, ether was used as the anesthetic. I remember the nurse asked if I wanted a "Lone Ranger mask." Of course I fell for the ploy, and in a moment, a strip of mesh was placed over my face followed by the black rubber mask. I struggled briefly, but quickly succumbed to the ether. I remember well the pleasure of eating ice cream during recovery – my favorite part of the procedure! Vaguely, I recall also having a sore throat.

My Tonsils were removed actually on my 21st Birthday.

As a child, I always seemed to have a sore throat and Tonsillitus but the Doctor was not keen to have them removed.

I used to get what my Mother called "Quinsies", my throat & glands would swell up as if I had mumps.

Sometimes I got very high temperatures and could get a bit delerious.

I remember once seeing rabbitts leaping in and out of my bedroom wall!.

Anyhow, I had developed a polyp on my tonsils which required a tonsillectomy which was done as I say on my 21st Birthday.

A very painful episode and I was told quite a risky op for an adult.

I remember having to gargle with a Hydrogen Peroxide solution that tasted like vanilla and it was oh so soothing.

I have often wondered why they weren't removed as a child in view of the persistent problems and if they would still be there today if it wasn't for the polyp.

I have not had this procedure done, but I'm scheduled to have a bunch of oral work done coming up, and this is to be included. Pretty scared.

Well mine was not normal, I was raped (it is in my blog) it got me into this kink. Well besides the operation and what they gave to eat it was hellatious, but most are normal unless you are an adult getting them out /longer recovery time, well good luck with all you do.

I had mine out in 4th grade. The doctor was on drugs and botched the surgery so I was back in the children's hospital a week later after vomiting blood. Horrible experience!

I had mine out when I was 6 or 7. I don't remember much, I wish I did though!

I had mine out at the age of six. Painful at first but I've heard it's worse for adults.

I had mine out when I was about 5 (1990) along with my adenoids and remember a good bit of it. It was outpatient and I shared a room with a little boy who was having the same thing done plus tubes in his ears. He was out having his surgery when we got into the room and when he came back (before I went to surgery) he was just screaming for hours, so that scared me. I remember everyone fighting with him trying to get him to eat a popscicle or drink some sprite because they couldn't take out the IV and let him go home until he tinkled.

I woke up from anesthesia perfectly perky and with a bit of a scratchy throat but nothing big. I was happy to talk to anyone who would listen. I wasn't back in my room very long before I was really thirsty and asking for sprite, then asking to go to the bathroom (while the kid in the next bed was still screaming and fighting!) and the nurse taking care of both of us just did a little happy dance in the middle of the room while I peed. I cried once because the IV was starting to hurt my hand and I was ready to go home (really I was tired of listening to the kid in the next bed) and after about 10 minutes of getting that out of my system, I was happy again.

Because our home was an hour away from the hospital, my parents got us a hotel room nearby for that first night so that I wouldn't have to spend the night in the hospital. My grandparents came up to see us so they took my mom and brother out to dinner while dad stayed with me with instructions to keep me calm. He and I roamed the hotel and when everyone got back to the room with my chocolate ice cream I was happily jumping on the bed.

Don't know what kind of drugs they gave me but apparently they worked like a charm! I only got ice cream for those first two meals and the rest of the time it was other soft foods. I was mostly put out that I couldn't eat things like potato chips or suckers or other scratchy foods until after my post-op follow up and i had to wait a few weeks to get back outside to drive my barbie car!

I had mine out when I was about 5, which would have made it 1957. I remember getting a pre surgery shot in the bottom and a rectal temp. Then, when it was my turn I was led by a nurse to the operating room. We walked, and I'm sure she talked to me trying to calm me before the procedure which did not work by the way. LOL

Back then Ether was still used to put you out and I remember fighting them while they were squirting the Ether on the mask. A very terrifying experience for a 5 yr. old. After the surgery I remember a very sore throat, eating ice cream, and jello and getting a rectal temp every 3 hours or so. I also had to stay overnight which was kind of scary at that age, as I don't remember my Mom staying with me. Anyway it was a very traumatic experience for a 5 yr. old but then I probably healed much faster than I would have as a teen or older.