A word about tonsillectomies...

[broadway86]

Posted: 8/17/06 at 11:55pm

Okay... The good news is that the tonsillectomy I had last week went smoothly. No excessive bleeding, etc.

The bad news - and this the killer - is that the recovery over the last week or so has been the most physically arduous, painful, annoying, and frustrating experience of my LIFE! It was surprisingly fine for the first day, but holy ****!

Bottom line: Getting this surgery is one of the best decisions I've ever made. BUT, if you are in your teens years or slightly older, and you are considering getting your tonsils taken out, do it now. Don't wait. The longer you wait, the more it hurts. Trust me. I should know. Son of a bitch...

Any other horror stories from this unpleasant procedure? Updated On: 8/18/06 at 11:55 PM

[luvliza89]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:05am

I'm having it done soon. You don't understand how huge those things in my mouth are. My tonsils take up almost all of my mouth, down my throat and stretch up into my nasal passage. Fuuuun. I haven't been able to sing in months, but after the procedure I'm hoping that will change. Right now I want those suckers out!

[broadway86]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:10am

They're that big?! Mine were huge, but I think you've got me beat.

It's good that you're doing it now. Here's a tip: Although it will hurt, drink as much ice water as you can. Also... chew gum.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:17am

Having this done as an adult can be extremely dangerous, very dangerous. This is why I have not, nor will have it done.
I urge anyone who is an adult to get several opinions before doing this.

[broadway86]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:20am

Just made a little edit there...

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:25am

I still have my tonsils and I ain't giving them up.

I thought they didn't do this operation anymore.

If you're doing it because of repeat strep throats the key to that is just to avoid all dairy products as soon as your throat feels the slightest bit sore. Drink only clear liquids. Fresh ginger tea is good. The milk and dairy gives the strep throat a culture to grow in.

So why do people get their tonsils out nowadays?

[luvliza89]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:25am

It's been enough I'm 17 and getting it done, I wish I were younger so I could bounce back faster, but at least I'm not that old for it.

And yes sadly, they are that big.

EDITTED TO ADD:
Mine have been this large for a year and a half. They hurt and bleed and I'd rather get them out now before any more damage is done. Updated On: 8/18/06 at 12:25 AM

[broadway86]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:32am

So why do people get their tonsils out nowadays?

People with naturally large tonsils are at a risk for breathing problems, especially sleep apnea. The latter is known to cause blood pressure issues later on. It can also prohibit certain people from annunciating properly.

Of course, anyone who wants a tonsillectomy will have to be tested first. If it is necessary, then there you go.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:39am

Have you considered trying Ling Zhi (Reishi) mushroom supplements before you go the operation route?

This one's a good price:


Ling Zhi/Reishi mushroom supplement

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:40am

Well if it is a physical problem, not just illness, I could understand that.

By the way, some surgeons in NYC are recommending taking arnica and bromelain before and after surgery to speed healing and reduce bruising and inflammation.

You might see if your surgeon is savvy on the matter. Updated On: 8/18/06 at 12:40 AM

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:43am

When I was a kid, dozens of my classmates got tonsillectomies. As a child, I got frequent tonsillitis. I kept seeing my classmates getting such special attention when they'd bring their tonsils to show-and-tell in a jar. I wanted it, too! Sadly (at the time), my pediatrician flat-out refused to remove my tonsils - even though I had tonsillitis much more frequently than my classmates. His reasoning was that my tonsils caught the infections that would be more serious if they were allowed to travel to my lungs or elsewhere.

As a kid, I felt cheated. As an adult, I'm pretty glad to still have them. They still serve their function admirably. I get a lot of little white "things" that swell up and fall off, but I rarely get ill.

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:46am

Why is it so dangerous to have your tonsils out as an adult?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:59am

Does this affect your voice completely and permanently?
Updated On: 8/18/06 at 12:59 AM

[broadway86]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 1:04am

might see if your surgeon is savvy on the matter.

Interesting. I'll look into it.

Does this affect your voice completely and permanently?

Not at all. For most people, nothing changes. For some, the voice can get slightly higher, but it eventually goes back to its normal pitch. Overall, depending on what your specific problem is, the only major change is that you will have more room to breathe. Updated On: 8/18/06 at 01:04 AM

[luvliza89]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 1:07am

Well I don't think so. My friend had oversized tonsils and it affected her voice and when she got them out it was a world of difference. Her range was a lote better (if you're talking about singing) and just her overall tone improved.

I know my voice is being very very affected by those suckers. It's unhealthy for my voice and wow it just sucks. I'm looking forward to having them yanked ASAP.

[Incognito]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 5:22am

I had my tonsills removed at age twenty five. After a lifetime of grief, it was a relief to see the back of them.

Every antibiotic known to man (at that time) passed through my system to no avail. Quack remedies too numerous to mention made no difference.

The surgery itself was no problem but the recovery was uncomfortable. Paracetamol and codeine every four hours worked wonders. Drink plenty of fluids.

For dinner on the day they were removed, I had a poached egg on toast. Lol, takes more than a tonsillectomy to keep me away from my food: - )

[Craig]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 7:49am

Dangerous? I'm not sure about that, and unless you're a doctor, you probably shouldn't imply that. I'm not a doctor, but I do know that surgery is usually a last resort these days and that it is a bigger deal for an adult because of the length of recovery. Most kids when they get the surgery are up in a few days fully recovered. The older you are, the longer it takes.

I had mine out when I was 27. I had several bouts with tonsilitis when I was little and they kept "threatening" to take them out, never did. When I was 27 I had chronic tonsilitis for 6 straight months. They tried several different medications and they would work while I was on it and as soon as the "run" of the drug was done, it would come right back. I had what is called "crypts" in my tonsils. They were deep "caverns" which kept holding the infection after the medication wore off.

Finally, after 6 months of frustration over spending 6 months of pill popping (I'm not a fan as a general rule) and never feeling healthy (and to have that feeling for 6 months is SO terribly frustrating) - they scheduled the surgery. They were thinking of trying some other radical drug therapy. My ENT said that I wouldn't like having the surgery and that I might consider waiting and trying a few more drugs. It just wasn't an option for me. I wanted them gone.

I won't get into the details of the surgery - but suffice to say that everything went perfectly. My recovery lasted a little over a week (while under percoset for the pain) and then probably another week to recover from the percoset, not eating solids, a bit of dehydration (energy levels, etc). I had a tickle in the back of my throat for several months. hard to describe - it didn't hurt, it just felt like I had "scratched" my throat. This is common because of the breathing tube they put in.

The whole procedure took maybe 2-3 hours from hospital admission to leaving. (I think the ACTUAL surgery is about 30 minutes).

Since then, no real sore throats - and certainly nothing overtly painful) and definitely no tonsilitis.

For me it was the best decision.

Years ago, they used to remove tonsils at the slightest provocation when the patient was a child. It's less and less common these days which is why many adults still have theirs.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 9:02am

I had mine out at age 38 (had to). As a result of either the surgery itself or the breathing tube, my singing voice has changed completely. I used to be a tenor, but now I'm a bass/baritone (no joking). I knew something was wrong, because it took me a good 3 weeks to get my speaking voice back.

[Craig]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 9:04am

Not being a doctor, I would guess that might be more because of the breathing tube. I was able to speak pretty much right away (hurt, but I had a voice)

Oh.. and my key to survival during recovery?

Mashed Potatoes from Boston Market and Gatorade

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 9:10am

Craig, I have a feeling it was the breathing tube, as well. I had it done at Georgetown University Hospital (which was a teaching hospital, too). Something tells me one of the students played a part in that. The doctor told me that the surgery would be observed that day, and remember seeing many people around me prior to anesthesia (sp?).

My key to survival: spaghettios and ice cream.

Updated On: 8/18/06 at 09:10 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 10:50am

I'm having an alternate procedure to tonsilectomy. My doctor specializes in a relatively new technique involving radio waves to reduce and remove tissue. The tonsils will not be removed, but rather reduced to tiny stubs. No cutting whatsoever. I had this sort of technique used on my sinuses and nasal passage to great success. I previously suffered from sinus infections 3-4 times a year. Since the surgery, I've had 2 in 5 years, both of which were minor. I'm also very susceptible to strep, which is why I need the tonsil procedure, which I will have performed in 2007.

[broadway86]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:18pm

Spaghettios? Mashed Potatoes?! Maybe I should try those. I was afraid they would sting, or something...

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:54pm

Spaghettios. Now why didn't I think of that?

A severe strep infection has made eating difficult these last few days, and I've been dying from lack of protein. And there's only so much chicken noodle soup one can eat.

I know those things are pretty bad for me, but it sounds perfect right now. Thanks, Dottie.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 12:59pm

Won ton soup.

Also good after dentistry.

[javero]

Posted: 8/18/06 at 6:15pm

Still have my tonsils but will offer that getting an 'acorn' as a grown man ain't the most pleasurable experience either. The fellas on board know what I'm talkin' about.