Had mine out in my early 40's. Thought I would go back to work a day or so following surgery. Nope, more like a week. and then it seemed too soon.

Dan

My buddy and coworker (38 y/o) just got his out and today was his first day back. He is considered a best case recovery scenario at 13 days.

The first couple of days weren't that bad, heavily medicated, no talking, in and out of sleep. The real pain started when the scabs formed. That lasted about a week. He's been off narcotics for about 3 days, managing any pain with Tylenol.

The diet was not fun. Liquids, broths, and soft foods. No dairy. He lost about 20lbs

Hope that helps. Happy to relay any questions.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Probably ain't gonna get no little toy stagecoach, neither.

Oh man you had me excited for a second..

Well all of these stories sound super fun! My tonsils are permanently swollen, so now every little sickness makes them swell more and I get excruciating sore throats that cut off my throat. Makes eating anything tough. I'm not sure it's worth going through though. And no stagecoach really sucks

So, I'll follow up by saying he said it was totally worth it even though he didn't get a stagecoach. He was a chronic snorer before, now no snoring. He would also get tonsillitis or strep 4 to 5 times a year because of them.

I could use the losing 20 pounds part....

I've never thought of myself as a particularly rugged guy. I had mine out at 35 on a Friday and went back to work on the following Monday. That's been a number of years ago and I don't recall it as any big deal. I've read that bad tonsils put additional strain on the heart. If that is true, it would be another good reason for getting rid of them.

I had mine out in my late 30s. During the 3 week recovery I almost died twice due to blood clotting in the back of my throat.

The second trip to the ER included the wife mostly carrying A pretty much unconscious me into the ER and a 3 day stay.

The payout from it has been worth it and I would do it again but it was a few weeks of hell.

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
Doc has been saying they have to go for a long time, but I've been avoiding it. How bad is getting your tonsils removed when you are in your 40s?

Wife had hers done at 47. Not gonna sugar coat it, it wasn't fun. Her quality of life is much better now, though so it was worth it.

The longer you wait, the more stagecoaches you'll need.

 
I had mine (and adenoids) out at 5 or 6 also. In the 1950's, a T&A was a pretty routine operation for kids. It's amazing how many medical personnel today don't get the T&A reference.
 
Bill Cosby performed an amusing routine on his 1966 album Wonderfulness about having his tonsils removed.
 

At 66 I had my first known bout with tonsillitis two weeks ago. Felt lousy for a week, still taking amoxycylene (sp?).

Thought it was strep throat....have only had that once before.

If you do it, I will send you a toy stagecoach.

I remember I had ice cream, too. Vanilla.

quote:

Originally posted by Paragon:
If you do it, I will send you a toy stagecoach.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I remember I had ice cream, too. Vanilla.

That probably won't ship well from FL.

If youre going to get them out, ask about any other ENT issues you might have. Better to have everything done at once....tonsils, adenoids, turbinates, etc. I had it done around 30 and yes, it sucked royally although the liquid hydrocodone did the trick with easing pain and knocking you out to sleep. Wanna see pics?

Had mine out at age 3 & hemhorraged, so they "packed me" & stopped the surgery immediately. Went back 6 or 7 years later to have the rest of the adenoids removed & after that the excrutiating ear pain went away. Fun days.... Gosh, I wish I could go back & do all that over again (NOT!!)

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Get a second opinion from ENT in another practice. It is major surgery for an adult.

As it is for children. More children die from tonsillectomies than any other "standard procedure."

It was a 3 week nightmare when our 3 year old had them out last year. I have never felt so horrible for making a decision in my life.
The poor little guy was in so much pain for 3 weeks straight. Had to force feed him with a syringe.

As others have said it is supposed to be worse for adults.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I remember I had ice cream, too. Vanilla.

I remember the uncle I never liked bringing me potato chips..wish I had a stagecoach, would have busted it on his head.

And back then, it was chloroform or ether. For the mask...

Why is it less of an ordeal for kids? Size of the tonsils?,

Not trying to scare you, but a younger lady several miles from me, had same surgery, sadly, she hemmoraghed, they couldn't stop the bleeding and she died. But that could happen with any surgery.

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Probably ain't gonna get no little toy stagecoach, neither.

Oh man you had me excited for a second..

Well all of these stories sound super fun! My tonsils are permanently swollen, so now every little sickness makes them swell more and I get excruciating sore throats that cut off my throat. Makes eating anything tough. I'm not sure it's worth going through though. And no stagecoach really sucks

Hit me up in email if you decide to do it and I'll Instant Karma you a stagecoach.

Dammit man, Paragon beat me to the punch.

Seriously, good luck with whatever you decide/

Had mine out last year at age 40.
When the surgeon tells you "it's going to be really painful" (as opposed to the usual "you will feel some discomfort") you know you're in for a rough time.
It's a nasty two weeks but crushed ice is your friend and it will do wonders for your waistline :-)