A guide to adult tonsillectomies

[TeenHelp]

A guide to adult tonsillectomies
By Nicole (Pug Princess)

Tonsillectomies used to be quite common among children to prevent complications down the road. Today, doctors typically don't suggest tonsillectomies unless the tonsils are degrading one's quality of life. Adult tonsillectomies are even less common; these are conducted on adults as the name implies, and they typically have a longer and more painful recovery time than a tonsillectomy performed on a child.

Reasons to get the procedure:

• Frequent strep throat: Only a small portion of sore throats are strep throat cases, however some people may have the misfortune of suffering from recurring strep throat. Strep throat is identified as having a very sore throat, difficulty swallowing, tonsillitis, and tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth. Having one's tonsils removed can reduce how often one has strep throat if antibiotics are unsuccessful. If one has recurring strep throat in a span of one year, it may be beneficial to have a tonsillectomy.
• Frequent tonsillitis: While tonsils help to filter out germs and bacteria, they are susceptible to getting infected themselves. Tonsillitis is usually caused by strep throat, but other bacteria and viruses can also cause it. Tonsillitis is usually marked by a sore throat, swelling of the tonsils, and a white or yellow coating on the tonsils. Having a tonsillectomy will exempt one from ever getting tonsillitis.
• Tonsil stones (Tonsilloliths): Tonsil stones are debris that get stuck behind the tonsils and solidify. Many people have small tonsil stones and do not ever notice them. However, in rare cases, they can be large and bothersome when they pop out from behind the tonsils and get stuck. People with larger pockets behind their tonsils or who get tonsillitis often are more susceptible. Having a tonsillectomy will prevent tonsil stones from solidifying.
• Difficulty breathing: If you have particularly large tonsils, especially ones that get inflamed and swollen often, it may be more difficult to breathe. Sleep disorders can also be caused by enlarged tonsils. In this case, getting a tonsillectomy can improve breathing by letting more air through.

If one has at least one of these problems, it’s best for them to speak with their doctor to see if having an adult tonsillectomy can improve their quality of life.

How the procedure is done
After the patient checks-in, they'll be connected to an IV. Then they'll be brought to the surgery room and placed under general anesthesia. During this time, the patient won’t be aware of the surgery. The procedure typically includes the surgeons removing the tonsils with a scalpel, and then using a high-heat tool to scab-over the wounds to prevent bleeding. Afterwards, the patient will be woken up and given something soft to eat, something to drink, and possibly some pain medication to take. Once the patient is able to stand up on their own, they will be released to go home. The procedure typically lasts only 30-45 minutes.

Recovery
Recovery typically lasts 10 days to 2 weeks, depending on the person. During that time, be sure to take it easy and get lots of rest. Taking the medication on time as your doctor prescribed is the best way to prevent pain rather than playing catch-up and taking the medication once the pain has started. Your tonsils will be scabbed over during recovery, and after about a week the scabs will begin to fall off on their own. It is very important to drink lots of fluids during recovery, and to eat soft foods and gradually include ones that require minimal chewing as soon as you can handle it. Don’t eat any spicy, crunchy, or hard foods until you are fully recovered from the surgery.

The procedure is relatively simple and nothing to be afraid of. If fear of the procedure or pain that may ensue, speak to your doctor about what they can prescribe you for the pain. Keep in mind that recovery is not rough for everyone. Some people have a speedy recovery! The positives of having troublesome tonsils removed will always outweigh the road to recovery.