Tonsillectomy - Procedures
Operation is performed in the hospital by a specialist Ear Nose and Throat surgeon (Otolaryngologist). The operation is done through the patient's mouth, and the tongue is kept depressed with a surgical instrument called "Davis Gag" which keeps mouth open and the tongue depressed.
During the procedure the surgeon removes the tonsils from the side of the throat by carefully scraping away using a special tweezers. Stitches during this procedure are very few to nil, as there are no cuts or incisions here. It usually lasts about 30-45 minutes. Tonsils are removed alone, though sometimes if found to be inflamed and infectious the adenoids are to be removed much in the same procedure using a using an instrument called "St Clair Thomson's Adenoid Curette". The operation then is called Adenotonsillectomy.
I am a 44 year old mother of a four year old. I had the surgery done on 6/7/12. I am now into day 6 of surgery and I have never experienced anything like this before. I decided to have the procedure done at the advice of my physician, re-occuring throat infections and mild sleep apenea. I had heard all the horror stories about adults recovering longer than children and didn't think it could be that bad. Well I am here to tell you all it is very ture. This is by far the worst pain I have ever ever experienced in my life. If I had known it was this bad, there is no way I would have under went the surgery. Prior to surgery all I dranked was water and find it diffcult to do that now. My throat feels like someone has chips of glass scraping it. My ears, head, neck and shoulders hurt all the time. My mouth is constantly filled with thick salavia that makes me gag and I have to have a towel wrapped around my face so I don't soil my pillows and bed. I have done what they said......gargled with warm salty water, eat popsicles, drink fluids, and try to rest. I can hardly sleep at night because it's so painful and taken pain medicine has been a struggle becasue it burns soooo bad when I take it. I just sure hope that it was worth it because as of now I don't see how any good could come out of this intense pain. I didn't post this to scare anyone from this procedure by no means I am just letting you all know that this is very very very painful.