No, not everyone is taking liquid medicine. The antibiotics, pain pills, steroids, and anti-nausea stuff they gave me for mine are all in pill form.

As for the laser surgery, it really depends - if you are thinking of it for sleep apnea, it might be an option. However, the reason it is less painful is because it leaves part of the tonsil bed behind … which means there is a chance of your tonsils regrowing or even becoming infected. So it’s an option for those with sleep apnea, but not much of an option for those with recurrent tonsillitis issues.

So the ENT told me on Thursday that I should go ahead and get them taken out because at this point, that infection just wouldn’t go away. Ever. I was filled with fear and excitement and some surprise since I assumed my tonsils were, other than this persistent infection, relatively healthy. The ENT asked me when I wanted them out - I said as soon as possible so I could get back to work, and he said, “Well, you’re lucky, we had two cancellations for tomorrow!”

I took the plunge and scheduled my surgery for the very next day, Friday, and felt glad that I wouldn’t have even more time to sit around worrying about it or reading websites with horror stories. On Friday at around 11:45, they took me in and removed my tonsils and apparently my adenoids as well. I remember waking up in the recovery area coughing from them removing the tube from my throat. Within minutes, the nurse had me swallowing Advil from a cup with a straw.

(**note: my ENT believes in using Advil as an analgesic based on several studies that have been done where the outcome revealed that using Advil did not increase the risk of post-operative bleeding.**)

It hurt to swallow the three Advil, but I did it just fine and was soon moved to the next recovery area and given a cup of crushed grape popsicle, and a Vicodin. My legs were shaking so badly from the anesthesia that we were all getting a kick out of it. One of the nurses said I must be muscular since normally it’s only guys who shake like that.

When I got to go home, I was a little woozy feeling from the anesthesia and my throat was sore, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I couldn’t sleep that day, so I laid on the couch watching TV and pounding Gatorade and water. Like everyone has mentioned - staying hydrated is incredibly important! And, I made sure to set my phone’s alarms so as to stay on top of taking my Hydrocodone, steroids, anti-nausea pill, Advil, and antibiotics. I never missed a dose, even when it meant taking them throughout the night.

On my second day, I could feel the anesthesia wearing off completely and had a slightly increased amount of pain, but again, nothing I couldn’t handle.

Through the whole ordeal I’ve only taken 1/4 of the amount of pain meds prescribed and done just fine on that.

So, I’ve been living on Gatorade, water, pop ice (little popsicle type things), chicken broth, pear baby food, apple sauce, cream of wheat, arrow root baby cookies (dissolve quickly in your mouth), mashed potatoes, spreadable cheese on mini saltine crackers, and other baby food flavors from turkey to squash.

I have to admit that now, on day 6, I’m getting very frightened of the scabs coming off because of all the horror stories I’ve read on sites like these about the bleeding that occurs …… but if I survive that, then I’ll be happy. Most of all, I’ve been surprised at how hungry I have been, how my tongue was not abused or burnt or anything like some, how manageable the pain is, how little my ears hurt, and how glad I am that I had this procedure.

Now, it’s true, I may come back in several days posting about some horrible bleed, but I’m hoping not!!

Add me to the list of tonsil stone people. Eeeew! That’s why mine came out, too. I was able to prod about 6 out before the surgery and then they said there were another 8-9 in my ex-tonsils. Gross.

I’m due for a refill on my lortab. Has anyone tried to take it in pill form 4 days after the surgery? I’m really going to try to switch if it’s possible.

I wish I could sleep through the next week without waking up until it’s all better.

I am 18 and i am getting mine out from tonsil stones as well! its really something that needs to be done, my surgeon said that if i didnt get them out i would end up getting cronic bad breath! EW LIKE GROSS!

But anyways, you said your 19… im 18 so i guess i could help you… You will be in pain, im not going to lie to you! but im at day 9 and i am feeling the best yet! so your recovery could be a little shorter.

I am just so gald im almost done with this!

Maggie, if you do not like needles, tell your anesthesiologist…. tell them you do not like needles… then they will give you laughing gas (thats wat i got too) and you will be sitting there and you wont even see the needles. you will be so far out in “La La Land” that you wont care how many needles they put in you! and before you know it you will be waking up and it will be done and over and u will be in horrible pain for like 10 days!

I know that this is a bit backward but I have been researching more about tonsil stones now three days after my operation…I originally grew concerned when I began getting terrible odors from my mouth, thinking that I must have strep throat….Going to the doctor (regular family doctor) he said they were harmless food particles stuck in my tonsils and recommended a water pick to shoot them out….That day I was lucky and shot them out (after waiting 8 hours for my pick to charge)….Easy enough I thought….However a month later they were back…This time I tried to use the pick again and ended giving myself a sore throat from repeatedly missing the stones…I decided to go to an ear, nose and throat doctor for further incite…He said that they were indeed tonsil stones and are only an annoyance, causing no real harm…..Thinking about firing that water pick into my mouth and gagging and shooting water all over my bathroom made the choice easy for me….I called right back and set up my tonsillectomy….

Now I am reading all these walls and really learning about tonsil stones….The choice for me came down to one thing…..Having to become a sharp shooter with a water pick (risking irritating my tonsil each time and defacing my bathroom) or just spending two weeks on the couch…

I was 23 and took the plunge……

3 days into it…….and no regrets….

Anybody want to buy a water pick!!!!???!!!