Tonsillectomy Success Story - Worth it!
Hi y'all, I (21f) just wanted to share my story (on day 13) and some tips since I read so many horror stories before my tonsillectomy and my experience wasn't like any of them! If you are currently recovering reading this don't stress, and if you are considering the surgery, I would recommend it if you have had many past strep infections.
Background:
I got strep a bunch as a kid, almost got my tonsils out and was told if I got strep 1 more time I'd have to get them removed (never did sadly). Then 3rd year of college I was inflamed and sick for a whole semester (3x antibiotics), doctors didn't believe me but lo and behold my tonsils were huge with gunk-filled craters (sorry, gross) and chronic inflammation. I lowkey was bummed out and a little depressed that whole semester unless I was on antibiotics, so LMK if anyone else has experienced that (specifically I had Strep C/G). I now realize this is why my recovery was so easy, since I apparently had nerve damage from all the recurrent infections. That and I took good care of myself (details below).
The actual surgery was pretty easy, woke up chilling and asking nurses if the applesauce had added sugar lol. Never went above a 4/10 for pain (I do have high pain tolerance, partly from all the strep but still). Accidentally took Oxycodone for the first day, switched to Celebrex after (12 hours apart) and only took Tylenol a few times. Never had painful scabs or anything, I could talk with only occasional mild pain, and was pretty lucid. If you combine with melatonin, beware that will cause some loopyness, I said some crazy things to my boyfriend in the middle of the night I do not remember LOL, but no biggie. I was eating solids (still soft, eg burgers, noodles cooked in broth, etc) by day3/ 4, and pain free by day 10, stopped Celebrex on day 11 and feel normal now besides a little congestion and some remaining scabs (just looks like yellow/white gunk tbh). Overall super worth it!!! Had my first carbonated drink yesterday and I was in heaven :)
My tonsils were diagnosed with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia when they looked at them after surgery, lmk if anyone has had the same!
Care:
- Lots of hydration, coconut water, room temp water, (real) bone broth, and drink water whenever you wake up at night. The getting up to pee sucks but it's worth it.
- Eating real, healthy food!! Make sure nothing has acidic, red, citrus, spices, spicy, or otherwise harmful ingredients. Avoid fake ingredients and go for natural whenever you can. I got a lot of nutrients from day 1 which really helped recovery and energy compared to just having sugary popsicles. No judgement if you couldn't eat anything tho!
- Avocado (mixed with broth if too thick)
- Dairy free ice cream with real ingredients (Fronen/For Bears)
- Mango popsicles w/ no added sugar
- Pudding (Petit Pot with real dairy/sugar)
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Applesauce mixed with yogurt (fancy I know)
- Refried beans- so good
- Baby food pouches (DONT laugh, I nanny so I thought of this and it really helped me get protein and nutrients, I got Serenity and Once Upon a Farm Brands so good stuff not just gross mush, I recommend the Beef from Serenity (tastes like sweet potato) and the squash ones too. If you can make your own purees beforehand just do that, but if not this was a lifesaver
- Humidifier all night every night
- Take meds on time, in the middle of the night if you must, with some food
- Get some sun and fresh air if possible
- Sit around and do nothing besides short walks, binge your favorite shows, play silly online games (Club Penguin anyone?).
- Make sure you have someone actually nice to take care of you/support you taking meds overnight if you can, makes it a lot more enjoyable, but not strictly necessary after first day or two.
- Don't think/worry about it too much before surgery! I literally didn't think about it at all besides planning what food to buy / who would help me, and it was much better that way.
Unless I'm forgetting something I think that's pretty much all there was to it. Pretty enjoyable 2 weeks, was like a nice break after another busy semester. Never was as bad as Strep, that's for sure. Good luck!!