A tonsillectomy is no picnic in the park for anyone. For the last 4 years, I have had strep throat consistently, and last year had it every two months for the first 6 months of the year and then strep and ear infection from June to mid-September, at which point the doctor finally sent me to a specialist to get rid of the pesky tonsils. My first strep in Feb. 2011 was so severe, I could not drink water, barely walk, and developed guttate psoriasis. After that, they did not get much better. 2014, New Year's Day, strep throat that lasted 3 weeks! Then, beginning of March and so on. So, I decided to schedule my tonsillectomy for Jan. 2, 2015 (so I could enjoy the holidays and eat!). As a mom of 3 young boys who leads a very active lifestyle, I knew this was going to be rough, here is my story as I go through the recovery.
Day Before Tonsillectomy
Since eating good food, aside from ice cream, was going to be out of the question, my husband bought me a medium pizza from a favorite restaurant and I ate the entire pizza. Yes, I was really full, but it was worth it because 9 days after the surgery I was down 10 pounds anyways. The day before the surgery was nerve racking for me. All I could think about was not being able to workout and go on the long runs or do weighted exercises for at least 3 weeks, not being able to drive while on pain killers, how bad the pain was going to be, not being able to have a few beers on the weekend for a while, and thinking about how stressful it was going to be for my husband to work, get the kids everywhere they have to go, and taking care of everything.
Lets go back a while, when the surgery was scheduled, a pamphlet was handed to me and my follow-up appointment was scheduled as well. The doctor told informed me of the pain and the difficulty many adults have during recovery and the importance of having help with the children along with not doing anything to cause bleeding. Overall, he stressed taking the medications and resting, and boy has he been right. Being who I am, not many questions were asked, just reading of information and internet research, but for anyone who has questions-no matter how odd they may seem-ask the doctor, even if it is in the waiting room before the surgery.
Tips on pre-surgery preparation:
- Make a list of soft foods and go to the store: yogurt, ice cream (with no crunchy stuff in it), apple sauce, instant mashed potatoes, Plain soups that have no harsh spices, puddings, mashed pears, and for goodness sake-buy out the popsicle isle (popsicles are your friend after tonsillectomy, for weeks)
- Plan on drinking lots and lots of water. Stock up on water if needed, water is NEEDED in the healing process. It helps to sooth and moisten the throat as well as wash off the scabs as the throat develops new skin. Keeping the throat moist is needed, otherwise bleeding could occur.
- Prepare the sofa or recliner. Keep the neck high, sleep in a recliner if possible. Due to pain, laying down is near impossible. Have a table close by for the water, books and magazines and remote. This is where one lives for at least the first week after the tonsillectomy, make it cozy.
- Ice Packs. The surgery center gave me one, but I already had some at home as well. Use them, sleep with them, very helpful.
- Comfy clothes, live in PJ's, sweats, anything comfortable for a week, at least.
- Stool Softeners-due to the pain meds, constipation will probably occur, get stool softeners and take them.
- Be sure there is plenty of soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, paper towels, and even plastic and paper ware for eating with (no dishes is a good thing).
- Schedule help with children. The first week is the worse and help with children for at least one week is necessary, 2 weeks help would be better, it is a must for anyone getting a tonsillectomy as a parent.
- Parents with children, plan on being out of work at least a week. As far as I've heard from other parents, most of the children healed up enough to go back to school after a week, but remember it could be 2 weeks or a week and half, everyone heals differently and handles pain differently.
- Make sure bills are caught up and any mail that needs to be picked up or mailed is done. Do not want to deal with it after surgery.
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