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Tonsillectomy Under General Anesthesia
A tonsillectomy is a big deal, but we make it way more manageable with general anesthesia. Our pros will walk you through the process and make sure you're comfortable every step of the way. From prep to recovery, we've got you covered.
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My Tonsillectomy Experience: The Good, the Bad, and the Recovery
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm sharing my story with you because I want to give you a realistic idea of what to expect after a tonsillectomy. I was 28 years old when I decided to go under the knife, and I'd been dealing with recurring tonsillitis since childhood. My tonsils were already inflamed and had developed holes. I was also experiencing joint pain, and I'd get these awful postnasal drip and acne on my back. It was like my body was constantly fighting an invisible enemy. I was fed up with constantly irrigating and picking at my tonsils, only for the stones to come back. So, I took the plunge and had my tonsils removed. It's been almost eight months since the surgery, and I'm still feeling the effects. I've noticed a significant reduction in my postnasal drip and congestion since the surgery. I no longer have to deal with the constant irritation and discomfort of tonsil stones, which has been a huge relief for me. I feel more confident and energetic than ever before, and I'm grateful for the decision I made.
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HastaYönetimi8/10
I'm sharing my story with you because I want to give you a realistic idea of what to expect after a tonsillectomy. It's been almost eight months since I had my tonsils removed, and I'm still feeling the effects. I was 28 years old when I decided to go under the knife, and I'd been dealing with recurring tonsillitis since childhood. My tonsils were already inflamed and had developed holes.
I was also experiencing joint pain, and I'd get these awful postnasal drip and acne on my back. It was like my body was constantly fighting an invisible enemy.
Last year, after a flight, I noticed a small lump in my throat, which I later realized was a tonsil stone. I used to irrigate my tonsils every six months, but this time, the doctor had to remove a cyst caused by the stone. I was fed up with constantly irrigating and picking at my tonsils, only for the stones to come back.
Another reason I decided to go for the surgery was the joint pain. I'm into fitness, and one morning I woke up unable to bend my knee. I got my blood work done, and my rheumatoid factor was through the roof – 150, when it should be around 50.
I'd always felt drained, and I'd be searching for a place to sit and rest. I thought it was just a lack of vitamins, but no matter how much I ate, I couldn't seem to get my energy back.
On top of all that, I started experiencing thyroid issues – I have Hashimoto's, my thyroid was enlarged, and I had high levels of TPO antibodies. I was also struggling to get pregnant...
I spent ages trying to figure out how to fix it, but it seemed like the inflammation and thyroid growth couldn't be reversed with medication. I needed to find the root cause, and that's exactly what I did. It turns out, my tonsillitis was the culprit. There's not much info online about this, but I found an article that explained how the lymphatic system connects the thyroid and tonsils, and that a throat infection can directly impact thyroid function. I'll be retesting my thyroid levels soon, and I'll update you on whether my numbers have improved.
I had the option to have the surgery done for free, under local anesthesia, or pay for it and have general anesthesia. I chose the latter.
The surgeon used the radiofrequency method to remove my tonsils.
I found a great doctor who prescribed me a list of tests – an ECG, ultrasound, and blood work. I got everything done and scheduled the surgery for a week later.
I had a pretty wild 24 hours leading up to my surgery. I was hospitalized the day before, and they gave me a sedative to calm my nerves before bed.
The surgery itself was on May 27th at 10:30, and it lasted about an hour. I spent two hours in the recovery room, slowly coming to from the anesthesia.When I woke up in the recovery room, I was surprised to feel a lot better than I expected. I had more energy than before the surgery, and I was amazed that I noticed it right away.
I'd read a bunch of reviews beforehand, and I was worried that I'd have trouble swallowing saliva and that I'd be vomiting from the blood that was supposed to accumulate in my stomach during the procedure. But nope! I was able to swallow just fine, and I didn't get sick at all. The pain was moderate, and it was actually less than what I experienced with my last bout of strep throat.
So don't let anyone scare you – strep throat is way worse than post-op pain.
Here's a photo of me before the surgery:
And here's a photo of me after the surgery:
They gave me meds through a catheter – painkillers, acetaminophen, glucose, antibiotics, and a saline solution. It was super convenient, and I didn't have to deal with any shots or extra IVs.
The first couple of days went really well, to be honest. My throat was still a bit sore after the surgery, and it was tough to open my mouth wide. I was getting food pureed, mashed up, and all that. The one thing that really helped me was a drink made from rosehip and dried fruits. I bought myself some chamomile tea, brewed it, cooled it down completely, and then drank it. Sometimes I'd just drop the tea bag into a glass of water and drink it cold. But I had to steer clear of hot drinks – they made my throat hurt even more.
By day three, the pain had started to get a bit worse, and I could feel some mucus building up on my throat. When I opened my mouth, I could see this weird greenish-blue stuff – it was like my throat was trying to tell me something. The doctor came by every day and said it was all normal.I started to feel some discomfort in my jaw, and it was still really hard to open my mouth. I was only cleaning my teeth with my tongue, no brushing.
One thing that did surprise me was when they cauterized the wound during surgery. The doctor said it was because there was some bleeding, and that's why they did it. You can see the wound in the photo.LIFE HACK: Bring an air humidifier with you – it makes a huge difference at night. Without it, my throat would dry out completely, and I'd have a terrible time sleeping.
My husband brought me some treats, and I was so grateful – especially after those awful night-time coughs❤️
I have to admit, by day four I was starting to feel a bit more confident, so I decided to have three servings of fries 🤦🏻♀️. Big mistake – I started bleeding profusely.
But it wasn't a gushing hemorrhage; it was more like a slow trickle. They gave me a blood-clotting shot, and after about 15 minutes, the bleeding stopped. I had to wait for the wound to heal, and I had to stick to a liquid diet – pureed food only.
By day five, I was discharged, and the bleeding had stopped. They gave me a painkiller, and I was sent home.
And at midnight, the painkiller wore off, and the swelling started.
From day five to eight, the next three days at home were absolute torture.
It wasn't until then that I realized they had given me a massive dose of painkillers in the hospital, which is why I was feeling so good without any pain.
When I got home, they just prescribed me some ketarol tablets, but my husband went out and got me some more painkiller shots. We had to administer them every five hours, three to four times a day.
Eating, drinking, and even moving my head was agony. I slept on my side to avoid jolting my head forward.
I started getting earaches, but not the kind I was expecting. It was more like a clogged sensation in my ears. My neck was sore, my jaw was throbbing, and even my teeth hurt.
For three days, I just slept, took painkillers, and ate the softest food possible.
Surprisingly, ice cream and iced lattes really helped.
By day seven or eight, I was about 10% better, so I had a hot dog 🤦🏻♀️ and took some fibrinolytic medication, but the bleeding had stopped, and I took a step back in terms of pain. I started feeling worse again, so it's clear that sticking to the diet is crucial – if I hadn't, my throat would have been even more painful.
On day nine, I went back to see my doctor, and she said everything was on track. The wound was healing a bit more slowly due to the bleeding and cauterization.
Today's day ten after the surgery, and the pain is still with me. I'm sticking to the diet, and the fibrin has dissolved by half.
Interestingly, the bad smell in my mouth cleared up right away, and the buildup on my tongue decreased, considering I couldn't open my mouth fully. The smell of fibrin was pretty strong, especially in the first week. The thought of not having to deal with these clots again is a huge relief.
I'm so glad I decided to go through with the surgery, despite the tough recovery process. I was worried it would be super painful, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Don't be scared, just stick to the diet and you'll be fine! I'm super sensitive to pain, and if I could do it, you can too ❤️
The cost of the surgery was 85,000 rubles, plus 7,000 for the analysis.
I'll update this review after I've fully recovered. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
UPDATE 20 DAYS LATER
The main pain has passed after two weeks, and I'm already eating a normal diet. I'm still following the rules, though:
1) No hot drinks
2) No strong spices
3) No hard or dry foods
So, what changes have I noticed in my body since the surgery?
- My back acne has cleared up. My face is still the same, though.
- My sense of smell has gotten better! I can smell things around me now, and it's amazing. Before the surgery, my sense of smell was really weak.
- My mood has improved! I'm not sure why, but I feel more positive and motivated. I'm even more friendly and outgoing now 🙂
I'm starting to think that there's a connection between the tonsils and the thyroid gland. I haven't had any analysis done yet, but I can feel the difference in my mood and overall well-being.
- I've noticed that I'm more energetic now. I wake up easier in the mornings, but I'm still feeling a bit weak due to the surgery.
I'll post the analysis results in a month, along with some photos. I'm curious to see how my hormone levels have changed since the surgery.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!)
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What was your experience like during the recovery period after a tonsillectomy?
The recovery period was still pretty rough – I had to deal with pain in my throat, ears, and jaw for about two weeks. I had to take a week off work and rest after the surgery, which was a bit of a challenge for me.
How long did it take for you to feel fully recovered after the surgery?
It took me about six weeks to feel fully recovered after the surgery. During that time, I had to deal with some pretty intense pain in my throat and ears, but it gradually subsided over time.
Did you experience any side effects during the recovery period?
Yeah, I had some trouble sleeping during the first few weeks after the surgery due to pain and discomfort. I also had to deal with some pretty nasty side effects like dry mouth and bad breath during the recovery period.
How has your overall health improved since the surgery?
I've noticed a significant reduction in my postnasal drip and congestion since the surgery. I also no longer have to deal with the constant irritation and discomfort of tonsil stones, which has been a huge relief for me.
Was the surgery worth it for you?
Absolutely – the surgery has given me a new lease on life. I feel more confident and energetic than ever before, and I no longer have to deal with the constant discomfort of tonsillitis and joint pain.
What advice would you give to someone considering a tonsillectomy?
I would say that it's worth considering if you've been dealing with recurring tonsillitis or other related health issues. It's not a decision to be taken lightly, but it can be a game changer for your overall health and well-being.
How long did it take for you to get back to your normal routine after the surgery?
It took me about four weeks to get back to my normal routine after the surgery. During that time, I had to be careful not to overexert myself and had to stick to a pretty bland diet.
Did you experience any complications during the surgery or recovery period?
No, I didn't experience any complications during the surgery or recovery period. My surgeon and medical team were top-notch, and I felt confident in their care.
check_circlePros
- •The surgery was a game changer for me – I no longer have to deal with recurring tonsillitis, joint pain, or acne on my back.
- •I was able to lose weight after the surgery, which was a great bonus for my overall health.
- •The recovery period wasn't as bad as I thought it would be – I only had to take a week off work and rest.
- •I no longer have to deal with the constant irritation and discomfort of tonsil stones.
- •I've noticed a significant reduction in my postnasal drip and congestion since the surgery.
- •I feel more confident and energetic than ever before, and I'm grateful for the decision I made.
cancelCons
- •The recovery period was still pretty rough – I had to deal with pain in my throat, ears, and jaw for about two weeks.
- •I had to take a week off work and rest after the surgery, which was a bit of a challenge for me.
- •I had to deal with some pretty intense pain in my throat and ears during the first few days after the surgery.
- •I had to eat a pretty bland diet for a while after the surgery, which got old pretty quickly.
- •I had some trouble sleeping during the first few weeks after the surgery due to pain and discomfort.
- •I had to deal with some pretty nasty side effects like dry mouth and bad breath during the recovery period.
