16 Yr Old Had Tonsils & Adnoids Removed

My daughter had these surgeries last year. The adnoids weren't so bad, but after the tonsilectomy her throat was extremely sore. She barely ate for almost 2 weeks and she did lose some weight. It should start to get better soon. By the end of the second week she should start feeling better and eating more soft foods.

Hi Stacy,
My daughter was 20 when she had her tonsils removed. The older a person is when they have that surgery the more difficult and longer the recovery. My daughter was still taking strong pain meds for nearly 3 wks. The dr explained that the older the patient is the more the tissue has grown to the throat, so there is more open wound and more pain. They finally get well. Be sure to keep her hydrated. That is critical. We tried everything. Time is the only thing that helped us. Try making homemade chicken or beef broth in plain gelatin. That would give her some nourishment without sticking in her throat. It helped my DD because it slid down her throat without getting in the wounds. She found room temp or cool not cold more tolerable. She was so hungry she gulped the gelled soup down. Certainly not delicious but kept her from starving. She too lost a lot of weight. HTH. Peace, C.

I just wanted to let you know that yes the older they are the more it does hurt. My husband had to have his removed last year and he lived on KFC mashed potatoes and gravy for about a month. I also bought him some of the drinks like pedisure. Just so that he would be able to get some nutrients. I do not know if that helps you but I thought I would explain what my husband went though.

I feel your pain, Stacie. My daughter had her tonsils & adeniods removed 2 yrs ago and we suffered through much of the same you describe. My expereince was that my daughter needed pain medication for 2 weeks instead of the 1 week that the doctor prescribed but be sure to talk to your MD about beginning some type of stool softener or laxitive because that was a problem we dealt with for 2 weeks after evertything was over. As for the weight, I know it's scary how much weight they lose but it's expected- just keep her well hydrated and she'll hopefully gain the weight back wihtin a couple of months.

Good luck!

Just a quick heads up. A few days after I had my tonsils removed (at 21), I went to have a bowl of tomato basil soup...my fave! Needless to say, my throat was still very raw, but I had no idea. The small spices in the soup burned my throat so badly I was crying in the middle of the restaurant. Just be sure that whatever she is taking in does not have addes spices that can latch on to her throat. Warm/Cool drinks will help to soothe this, but the pain is really unbarable.

Hi Stacie-

My son was only 6 when he had his removed but this sounds exactly like him. It took nearly 2 weeks before he was acting like himself and able to eat normally. I would just suggest that you keep her drinking fluids as much as possible. Try to have her drink Gatorade or other liquids with calories to try to keep her weight and energy up. My son also ate a lot of popsicles, jello, soup (make sure it's cooler than normal).

Good Luck,
K.

Had my tonsils out at 30 and feel the same as the lady below. Would rather have had another C-section. Everyone already confirmed what I was going to say, but just wanted to add that I got so sick of eating popsicles and jello, that my husband got me some soup from an Asian take out and it really helped. Mix it up and have warm and cold. She'll find something that works for her. Make sure you follow up with the ENT! And, don't be surprised if it takes up to a month for things to come back around. My ENT was surprised that I'd eaten a pork chop at 3 weeks, even.

My daughter had the adnoid surgery and sinus surgery and luckily will not so far have to have her tonsils out. A friend of mine had her tounsils out this past summer and it took at least 2 weeks to start to feel better. Make sure she keeps her throat as moist as possible. It will be very painful if it dries out. Like the others have said - Let her eat as much as she can soft foods, mashed potatoes, soups, puddings, add vitamin supplements if you can to her food, pediasure etc. I am sure she will be back to herself in no time. Some bounce back from surgery in a week where others it takes 2 - 3 weeks. I hope she starts to feel better soon.

40 year old Working Mother of 2 very busy childern 8 (girl) 6 1/2 (boy) and married to my soul mate for 9 1/2 years.

I am sorry she had to have hers removed. It is there job to tell the body that there is something wrong, perhaps an allergy. I know it does not seem that way since they swell up and prevent breathing. I believe that the choice treat of ice cream maybe a culprit, dairy is very mucous producing. Instead try non-dairy fruit smoothies (to make at home in blender 100% juice, banana, and frozen fruit). Instead of cow's milk, substitute soy, rice or almond milks. Places like Whole Foods or Sun Harvest have great alternatives like non-dairy ice creams and soups. They also carry a great tea called Throat Coat which is very soothing. I hope this helps. C

www.mybiopro.com/claudia13 (learn how to protect your children from cell phone radiation)

My sister was 23 when she got hers out. It took her a little over a month to feel better. It helped her to sleep sittin up with the humidifier right next to her. She also used saline spray in her nose to help with the stuffyness.

She also drank alot of Peppermint tea because that seemed to naturally numb her throat. Hope this helps

R.

Stacie,

Eventhough these surgeries are routine they are still pretty rough on the kids. Both of my daughters & my sister had it done at 19. My daughter was 10 and it bothered her for 2 weeks. She had the dryness and she also suffered from allegies/post nasal drip. I kept her really hydrated she wasn't hungry either. The only thing she could tolerate was cold jello and slushies from Sonic. I would watch out for an issue I had with my older daughter. The scab that forms in their throat can fall off and create complications. My daughter had this happen and went back in for a second visit to the hospital. Call the doctor if she seems too week or overly sleepy she may get dehydrated.

I had my tonsils and adenoids removed when I was 25. I was out from work for 2 and a half weeks and was in pain almost the entire time! I don't think that anything your daughter is experiencing is abnormal. Hopefully, because she is younger, she will recover more quickly than I did. I lost about 12-15lbs afterwards. I only weigh 120 so I really looked anorexic! Keep shoving chicken noodle soup, jello and ice cream down her throat! I also found that cream of wheat was good for breakfast! Fruit smoothies with protein powder is also a good way to get calories without harming the scabbs in her throat. I hope this helps.

Stacie,

Everything you're describing is normal and just part of having this done when you're older. I had mine taken out when I was 28 and it took me 2 weeks before I was up and around again, and another week before I could eat anything substantial. Everyone says "Oh you're so lucky! You'll get to live off of a diet of ice cream and milkshakes!" WRONG!! It didn't matter what I ate or drank - Hot drinks, cold drinks, ice cream, mashed potatoes, refried beans - it all felt like daggers stabbing my throat!! I went from 118 lbs to 109 lbs in those few weeks.

One thing I would like to mention: Be careful what you feed her when she is finally able to eat. Remember that her stomach is used to meds and not a lot of nourishment, and she might not be able to keep some foods down if they're too heavy. I stayed with my parents those three weeks while I recuperated and my Mom made me scrambled eggs as my first meal. I think the butter she used in them was too heavy for my stomach and I couldn't keep it down. And that, as you know, is not good for the sutures.

I'd also suggest calling her ENT to see if she can take something for her congestion.

Good luck! I feel for your daughter. As others have said, childbirth was nothing compared to my tonsillectomy!

J.

I went through the exact same thing a few years ago with my 12 year old at the time. She was recovering fine the first few days and then wham - it got awful! She was in so much pain, lost weight and missed a whole nother week of school. I was a pest to the nurse at our ent's office. I called several times a day becasue I was so worried and didn't know what to do. Once the scabs starting healing, she started feeling better and starting eating and drinking again. I wish I had a rememdy for you and your daughter other than time and patience. The good news is , my daughter hasn't had strep or a throat infection since! Hang in there!!!

I went through the same proceedure 200 years ago when I was 16 and I remember most of that, so it should start clearing up pretty soon, and she should have a post op check up to make sure everything is ok, but her nose will clear up as the swelling goes down and she will be able to breath and that will clear up the throat stuff. Sorry!

It is time to call the doctors office who preformed the surgery. 12lb weight loss especially on a slight adoloscent is not OK. I do remember when my 14 yr old daughter had her tonsils and adnoids removed she was pretty stuffy, fairly miserable until she lost the scabb clots and that event was fairly painful, scary for her but thankfully brief. She did lose some weight that week but it was less than 5 lbs.

I had this surgery when I was 7 years old so my memory may be a little rusty.:) I do remember my throat feeling uncomfortable for about a week or so. I lived off of soup, popsicle sticks and icecream for a week. Has she tried making some thick power shakes? Something liquid that will get her more calories will help. Good luck

I am 26, and I had mine taken out in October. Im not gonna lie, it was hell. I would rather have gone through child birth again... For me I couldnt take the cold. I drank alot of hot tea, it realy soothed. I ate alot of rice. I boiled it down in to almost a mush, then added some some milk, sugar and butter. It took me about 3 weeks to get over it, but now im glad I had them out. A night my husband said I snored louder than him. I would wake myself up in the middle of the night it sometimes got so bad. My sinues were awful, I was scared to cough or blow my nose. I went to my ent, for my weeks check up and he said this is all normal... I lost alot of weight too. I would try warm things with her. Keep a bottle of water by her bed, when she wakes up in the middle of the night, have her drink some. The more you drink the better! GOOD LUCK!

My 8yr old had his taken out and was still hurting over a week later. I think it is also more painful the older they are. Don't worry it is almost over. Good Luck. She will gain the weight back also

I remember when I had my tonsils removed in my early 20's and everyone told me before I had it done to be sure to stock up on ice cream and popsicles. WRONG!!!! Oh my goodness, the pain I felt when I tried to eat those things brought tears to my eyes. Also, when I left the hospital they forgot to tell me to drink lots of water. My throat was in sooo much pain that a few days after the procedure I returned to the ER. I was dehydrated. So when I returned home, I drank water, water, water and ate mashed potatoes. I felt better within 2 days. I sat there thinking of how much time, pain, and suffering I could have saved if someone had just said, "Drink lots of water and eat mashed potatoes".

Our son was 3 yrs. old, when he had the same procedure done. It took him a good 2 wks. to fully recover. It's normal to lose weight. Don't worry, she will gain it back.

It's hard to see your child go through something like this, but it will all be worth it.

Good Luck.

Rosie