A tonsillectomy is a routine procedure. It carries only a few risks—mainly due to the anesthesia and the small possibility of bleeding after surgery (which happens in only two percent of cases, doctors told me). On the plus side, I’d be ensured a healthier winter. I weighed the list of pros against the few cons and made my decision to get the surgery done in early August.
I was told to expect a week of recovery time in bed but then could return to light activity in the second week.
As expected, I spent the night after my surgery in the hospital. I was in some pain, but could talk and of course, I enjoyed all the cool Italian ice I could. The first few days at home were tolerable – I even managed to venture out with friends one night.
The next morning, however, the party was over. I woke up with a fever and severe pain—I couldn’t talk anymore and could only manage to swallow a few sips of water. Even the narcotics I had been enjoying the week before hurt more to swallow than the pain they eventually took away.
My doctor told me, after the fact, that this lapse in progress was all normal. The scabs in the back of my throat were falling off—appetizing! The pain at this point would be enough to make me reconsider getting surgery— nobody mentioned that it would hurt this much.
Two days later, it was one week since my surgery—this meant light activity could begin and I could get out of the house! I was elated! But was I ever wrong! The only place I found myself going was back to the hospital. I had another round of unexpected surgery to stop some bleeding that had started in my throat. I spent another not-so-pleasant night in the hospital—I couldn’t talk and Italian ice no longer soothed my throat— it just meant more swallowing and swallowing meant pain.
I eventually came home and recovered, albeit much more slowly and painfully than I was ever warned about.
In total, I wasn’t allowed to drive for two weeks—a week longer than expected. I lost 15 pounds—5-10 pounds more than I was told about. And, my return to school was nearly delayed. Now, three weeks later, it hurts to yawn and sneeze, I still am not back to my regular diet, and I’m tired all the time.
I still hope winter will leave me feeling better; but in retrospect, I can say that I wouldn’t do it over again.
