So you're having those big ugly beasts removed. Let's assume that, based on the best medical advice available to you, tonsillectomy surgery is the right thing to do. Tonsillitis, Tonsilloliths *, tonsil stones, enlarged tonsils, cryptic tonsils, sleep apnea- whatever the reason, let me share from my own experience in the hope that I can make the journey more bearable.*
Who am I? I'm a 44 year old divorced father of four boys. Since I was a child I've lived with large tonsils, full of craters that the ENT guys describe as cryptic. Frequent bouts of tonsillitis and strep throat have put me at odds with these nasties for as long as I can remember. A recent revelation that I suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea sent their stock prices plummeting even further.
Tonsillectomy recovery time for an adult is much different than tonsillectomy recovery for a child. My son had his tonsils removed when he was 8 years old. He was back to his normal self in a few days! My Otolaryngologist told me that the risks are basically the same, but recovery from an adult tonsillectomy surgery is harder and longer than for children's tonsillectomy. I believe him.
I want this site to be an oasis for people anticipating and recovering from a tonsillectomy .- a place to hang out, have fun, swap stories, and feel comfort while in recovery. I review the tonsillectomy forum every day. If there is something you'd like added or deleted, please tell me.
Take care and stay positive!
-Greg
*Tonsilloliths: usually refered to as tonsil stones, these are a piece or a cluster of calcareous matter that forms in the rear of the mouth, in the crevasses (called tonsillar crypts) of the palatine tonsils (commonly known as tonsils). They can range up to the size of a peppercorn and are white/cream color. The main substance is mostly collagen, but they have a strong unpleasant odor. Read more...
