Tonsillectomy Overview: what are tonsils, when do we take them out, post op diet & pain control

Introduction video for Tonsillectomy
For deeper dive, check out my other videos:
Tonsillectomy - Indications
Post-Op Tonsillectomy Pain Control'
Post-Op Tonsillectomy Diet
Post-Op Tonsillectomy Bleeding
Medical Disclaimer: All comments are generalizations and intended to be for educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[@MdhLV]

Thank you for making these videos Dr. Liu. They have really helped me recover

[@michaelwilliams9076]

Hi commenting from Trinidad and Tobago. I'm considering removing my tonsils due to constant white patches on them. It was recommended by my doc. Thanks for making this video because I was/very worried about the success rate of tonsillectomy

[@nellytshabangu1901]

In a year I can have tonsils 4 or 5times .And I have been studying myself of how they start forming and how to treat them ,so I've realized when it gets extremely hot and I take ice water or drink anything to cool myself down I end up with tonsils the same day .

[@FunkyPhotos]

You have helped me so much I am getting my tonsils out I. About 2 days and this helped me so much

[@mtm4411]

Thank you, Dr Liu, for your videos, very educational. What are your thoughts on tonsil reduction by laser as opposed to complete removal? In less than 2 weeks time my 7 yrs old is going through this procedure.

[@loveablebaby1423]

I will be removing my tonsils soon and I am excited at the same time worried.

[@connorandcarsonbrothers6241]

Oh god I'm going to feel like this if I get one more thought infection those are coming out and I'm going to feel like this!!

[@roxanneebrahim5158]

Hi Dr Liu, Roxanne from South Africa. Thank you for giving such a clear and easy to understand overview of the procedure. I have been to an ENT and he has recommended course of steriods followed with nasal spray for chronic sinusitis,I have had tonsillitis recurrently and of late worsening episodes...I'm going for sinus CT and tonsillectomy is possibly a Rx option. My job requires me to talk alot, academic teaching in hospitals...I want to know if patients find difficultly or challenges when talking due to the pain or inflammation 10days post op... Also, because I work in a healthcare setting and my tonsils are removed would that put me at higher risk for infection?would masking up be enough preventative measure or should I rather not be working in a hospital where patients have TB/MDR TB and the like for the full recovery time. Hope you are able to respond. Thanks.

[@dellalobo5032]

Thanks Dr for your valuable info.. Is there a risk of choking or not being able to breath due to a swallow tonsil

[@martienzbantum1901]

I’ve gotten my tonsils and adenoids out because I always had streak throat and mostly had thrash every other week

[@mysonjimmy1337]

My son keep coughing up splitting bleeding I went back to ER told don't do that but seemed like something erritation his throat after many years now he still splitting became lost weight and dehydrated things changed after surgery even though both my nephew and him grown taller breathing better

[@odfraser3348]

Thanks for sharing.....i need to know as long they are out will u ever get back sore throat?

[@binkibrooks4065]

Why won’t you make a video on tonsil stones

[@louisdavies8050]

Can tonsils cause fatigue/gut issues? I’ve had previous tonsillitis (and quinsy) but only once every two years. Recently I’ve just had tonnes of tonsil stones.

[@Uufda651]

I have strep/tonsillitis/various other upper respiratory infections 3+ times/yr for like 7+ years. Is the pain so bad in the short term that it would outweigh the benefits of not having to deal with the strep(etc) long term??? Oh I'm 21, if that's relevant.

[@arliciawalker]

I've recently sinusitis and tonsillitis and it's only been like 3 days and one of my tonsils are still swollen a little bit I feel as though I need to get them removed I would love them to be removed I've had issues even as a child and now I'm an adult and I'm ready to have my removed

[@jdr_8549]

So doc, my experience is, during quarantine i would start getting tonsil stones, i would pick them out with a cotton swab but i noticed they would start to get bigger. I dont know if i got an a infection and if i need to get them removed. I’ll have trouble eating like i feel slower and i gag at times when eating. Any thoughts?

[@priscillalambert3809]

I am 9 days post op and im having serve dry mouth and throat. I only drink water and now when i drink water it stings and feels like im swallowing blades.I've been taking lozenges and chloraseptic since the day my mouth and throat started getting dry but it doesnt matter what what fluid i drink it goes back dry in 30 seconds and burns. When does this stop because i been crying everyday cause something else hurts or is causing me pain?

[@johnny_killinitnew6672]

I’m 30 and I’m really interested in this procedure they are inflated every month probably. But question why does it happen eating dirty food or maybe under cooked food?

[@chetzmartinezrodriguez2253]

Hi Doctor Gene I got my MRI result today and i was wondering if you could enlighten me about this and what your opinion.I do appreciate if you could reply my comment.... left throat pain and discomfort, for 2 years, patient very worried about cancer. We have counselled her that this is extremely unlikely but due to severe sx please can we rule out any underlying disease. scope is normal. Report The left faucial tonsil is asymmetrical prominent. Both faucial tonsils are enlarged but striated, measuring 1.8cm (AP) x 1.3cm (Axial) x 4.5cm (craniocaudal) on the left and 1.8cm (AP) x 1cm (axial) x 4cm (craniocaudal) on the right. No focal tonsillar enhancement is seen. The lateral pharyngeal constrictors are intact. The tongue base is normal and the nasopharynx is clear. There is no lymphadenopathy. The thyroid and salivary glands are normal. The paranasal sinuses, mastoids and middle ear clefts are clear. The imaged intracranial structures are normal. No osseous abnormality is detected. Conclusion 1) The faucial tonsils are asymmetrically enlarged (L>R) but remain striated and of homogeneous signal. 2) There is no lymphadenopathy Overall, the appearances are most in keeping with lymphoid hyperplasia. However, given the tonsillar asymmetry, direct inspection and biopsy of the left faucial tonsil is advised.

[@ajlavanetwork5755]

Re; teeth derangement Can airway stenosis’s/ disorders cause same? Or just large anatomy/ tonsils > adenoids?

[@keithbain7246]

Currently I’m 8 days after getting my tonsils out and never felt pain like this … Iv had broken legs arms nothing compared to this paid … I thought I’d felt pain nope Iv hit level 10/10 with this recovery 😫

[@reginaldsmith6713]

Yes it's unbearable pain ...anything u drink are eat is painful...draw and ear pain as well 😢

[@givenm9674]

So when the scabs fall off the as swallowed or what?

[@rickwallace2091]

Very interesting. I can imagine the butcher job I had as a boy of 8 years old, 1969.

[@jack1963ify]

I had it at 3 years old July of 1999

[@edelweiss9424]

Hello, Does a stubborn cough have anything to do with tonsils? In the back of my mouth it feels as if I have a smaller balloon back there. When I talk I notice something is swollen but this goes away again & comes back again days later. Is it my tonsils? 🤔

[@AlexDelfont]

Hi Gene. I'm almost 4 weeks post op, and everything seems to have healed fine, except the opening in my throat at the back is visibly smaller, as if the soft pallet has dropped. Also I keep getting a snoring sounds just from breathing normally. Is it possible there is still some swelling causing this snoring 4 weeks after the operation? Because it all looks fine, but it feels odd and my ENT is not helping me much. Thanks

[@GeneLiuMD]

There may still be some swelling. There will certainly be some stiffness as well. Snoring can occur from any part of the palate/throat fluttering with airflow. This can happen whether or not someone still has their tonsils.

[@AlexDelfont]

@@GeneLiuMD thanks yeah it's just strange as it never happened before. Hopefully it will change with some time

[@celjan2006]

Alex Delfont I am having the same situation after 1 month! How is your situation now?

[@preciousrose3015]

Am in Nigeria how do see u

[@evanfoss3126]

Bruh my parents sent me to school with no pain med on the second day when I was 7 I’m so mad 😡 I’m 12 now

[@AHMEDSPECIAL]

قضايا الكلام حيث يكون مكتومًا ومعلقًا جدًا

[@bennyroy1986]

Hi doc I'm in a weird situation. Im a 36 years old male, Last July I started dating a new girl and I suddenly git strep throat. I was giving cephalexin and it went away for two months. Then in December I got it again. I have been on five different antibiotics and it's not gotten rid of the strep. I have been like this for four months now. I'm seeing a ENT now. I have had a throat culture and I have two strains of strep. I think my option now is a tonsillectomy right. I have never had strep in my life until last July. But no antibiotics is working for this last bout of strep that I have had for the last four months. Is this common?

[@Em-im1yz]

What's the girl got to do with it? Its your tonsils not the girl.

[@clairecarroll7447]

im scared i will wake up during the middle of the surgery. im really nervous and anxious. im 12 turning 13 in 14 days getting the surgery in 4 days.

[@GeneLiuMD]

It's normal to be scared. Anyone who tells you they aren't concerned at all are going to be lying. Waking up during surgery is astronomically rare and exceedingly avoidable. I would try not to spend any emotional energy worrying about that. Best wishes for you and wish you a speedy recovery.

[@clairecarroll7447]

Gene Liu, MD, MMM thank you! i am calmed down a lot.

[@cutesgirl5684]

I have tonsaitis

[@rosagarcia9820]

Hello Dr im on day 2 post op and im not able to sleep because im scared I can choke on my saliva and when does my Uvula and tongue start to go down they are very swollen?

[@moffit1x2x1]

Hi5 Rosa, I'm day 4 post-op. What's helped me is having two firm pillows keeping me at a 45-ish degree angle, and sleeping on my side. This way my uvula goes to the side too and really helps with the choking sensation. My uvula has barely started to go down in swelling too. Keep sucking on ice my friend. Chloraseptic spray helps a ton too!

[@samphalak]

Hi! I had an adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy, I am months out and I have intermittent swelling of my soft palate and uvula area which I believe is touching the back of my tongue making me gag when I speak. Also I seem to have a significant amount of granulation tissue on the right side where my tonsil was removed. The granulation tissue is so much that it looks like my tonsil grew back. I took a medrol dose pack without any noticeable improvement. Not sure how to make this all go away... On the other hand my breathing has significantly improved.

[@GeneLiuMD]

What you are describing is unusual. Hopefully you and your doctor can figure out what is going on and things will improve. Best of luck to you.

[@celjan2006]

samphalak I am having excactly same problem as you after 1 month! How is your situation now?

[@niltoncabral8230]

@@GeneLiuMD My MD suggest me to remove the uvula, besides tonsils because of obstructive sleep apnea. What’s you thought about removing uvula?

[@jyotisharma-so6iv]

hi Dr. .my daughter also suffering with the adnoids problem. ..wht should I do..some dr. suggest to operate it and some may b they cn hill with the time ....plz suggest us

[@GeneLiuMD]

Too many variables to know how to answer your question. If you have any concerns, you should ask more questions of your doctor(s). And then go with the recommendations and the doctor that make you the most comfortable for your child.

[@altshift_]

Doc i need answers. I've had tonsilitis all the time that i got used to it. But now it got worse. My tonsils have white spots but i dont have fever or other symptoms and i am now on antibiotics, the white spots does go away but it comes back little. Its making me paranoid. Im still on medications but does this mean i need tonsilectomy? Will this ever go away or worse cancer or hiv? Please help. 😩

[@GeneLiuMD]

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. You really do need to see an ENT to discuss whether or not surgery is the best option for you. There may be some non-surgical options to try first. Best of luck.

[@altshift_]

Gene Liu, MD, MMM i see. 😞 i kinda dont trust the only ENT in our town. Thanks for the reply doc. Very much appreciated.

[@Uufda651]

Have you checked to see whether the white spots are tonsil stones or just spots?

[@marshugs78]

The spots may be tonsil stones

[@pedepablo1638]

I am 35 and was told when I was 15 that I had to get them removed and I didn't. Now I'm sick most of the time and even my chest hurts. If I take them off will I get better or is it to late?

[@pedepablo1638]

I took them off, I feel great and I can breathe better

[@audifernandez]

Just taken mine out and day 1 healing...so much pain but al be ok hopefully

[@abdullahiaisha4736]

Mine is disturbing me I think I will remove it

[@virginiafranco]

@Pede Pablo does your voice change? Do you feel you sound differently?

[@matildaakolgo266]

@@audifernandez I want to remove mine and already scared of doing so

[@richmorrey]

I am like 5-6 days post op and mad do I hate my life! I am 35 and if I had know how much this would suck I probably wouldn't have done it. I am glad it will all be over with in a week or two but someone please get me a time machine. I had lower back surgery 4 years ago from a sports injury and it was nothing compared to this. You can't run from the pain, even if you don't move an inch it still hurts! I have been wondering if he put the tongue clamp on extra tight because my tongue hurts so freaking bad and I can't taste a dang thing. I guess this is normal. It makes me wonder why we clamp that glossopharyngeal nerve so tight! Anyways, I guess I just needed an outlet for all this pain. All the adults thinking of having a tonsillectomy do your homework first!

[@kedibonemasetlha5267]

I am 41yrs and 6days post op, it hurts more than whatever the pain u can think of. Anyone thinking of this operation I advice u to take something else being an adult. I cry like a small girl every time.

[@glorydc4357]

When my herpes started interfering with my daily life. And my lips always bother me every damn day. I remember going to the hospital when I was around 25 years old cuz my whole lips were burning like hell. And a nurse came to the waiting lobby and said sorry there are no doctors here. So I had to go back home. My lips were burning like hell and I felt so uncomfortable that night so I turned to #doctorasa herbal…

[@TomTom-xz4cz]

In general,why you "doctors", always very eager to make business at the expenses of people pain. Tonsils are very important in the immune system of our body, and simple remedies are to keep personal hygiene,use jenger and garlic in our diet period.

[@xladder3972]

please tell more

[@nakaeleawyatt491]

Hi Gene I'm 1 day in the recovery process and I am getting clogged with mucus

[@GeneLiuMD]

Sorry to hear. That is fairly common. Better if you stay well hydrated. Hang in there!

[@trishadillow5172]

@@GeneLiuMD hello my name is Patricia dillow I live in Uniontown Pennsylvania and I've been going to Matthew oliverio the nose and throat doctor I've been getting pain and pressure in my throat because of the tonsils and sore throats all the time can tonsillitis all the time sore throats and the doctors won't take them out I have a build up pressure to where I'm in pain I can't lay down and is causing me to have problems sleeping and I can't swallow or drink anything cold or hot very sensitive to the tonsils and it's just sitting pain and pressure and the doctors won't take them out I'm thinking about calling a lawyer on them because they're messing with my life I lay down I can't breathe and when I stand up to go walking for 2 minutes I'm out of breath because of the tonsils and I've been taking nothing but antibiotics for the last 10 years and they put me on steroids and antibiotics and they keep on giving me stuff that ain't helping me I need help if you can kindly give me a help I'd appreciate it

[@trishadillow5172]

Dr. Matthew oliverio here in Uniontown Pennsylvania knows that I've been having problems with bloody nose mucus and sore throats and tonsils hurting pressure can't swallow can't breathe I get out of breath real fast and I'll swell up in my throat and I talked area and is sore throats all the time and I can't breathe when I'm walking I'm out of breath within 2 minutes I've been having problems with pain pressure stiffness and groggy feeling and my speech is off it makes me sound like a frog a can't talk and I can't do anything and I have to clear my throat or try to get them out whatever's in there mucus build- clogged feeling pressure and stiffness

[@bernalglenn]

Why I loss my 80% of my taste 3 days after tonsillectomy?

[@ntshwarelengandria8326]

Im 39 n I'm struggling from tonsils n they are choking me at night when sleeping,n sometimes I Cnt evn swallow water,..n someone said I have to wait fo them to heal first before removing them. Is this true. Cause I have bn suffering like this frm last yr July n they are not going away.they jst keeps on growing slowly

[@moffit1x2x1]

Mine have been the size of meatballs as long as I can remember and they removed them, so I think you need a second opinion... and if the first isn't from a doctor, just ignore them.

[@edwardsigamani]

4:00

[@julielove8846]

Why is bleeding expected if all u do is basically pull the tonsils out

[@zorayaboissard2343]

Hello I’m 9 days post op I’d like to know how long will it be until I can taste food normally.. I do have taste , but everything tastes bad

[@GeneLiuMD]

Taste gradually improves with time. Most people are essentially back to normal 2-3 weeks after surgery...although taste disturbance can sometimes drag on for weeks afterwards.

[@francescapowell1538]

Same here. Had mine done on the 21/09/2020 (14 days post now) and everything I eat tastes absolutely disgusting.

[@Levelupchanger]

I have bad breath and they are freaking Hollow

[@cutesgirl5684]

Hahaha it is your sister

[@cutesgirl5684]

Stupid