How bad is tonsil surgery for adults?

Tonsillectomy, like other surgeries, has certain risks: Reactions to anesthetics. Medication to make you sleep during surgery often causes minor, short-term problems, such as headache, nausea, vomiting or muscle soreness. Serious, long-term problems are rare, though general anesthesia is not without the risk of death.

Why is tonsil surgery worse for adults?

Another reason adults have a tougher time is that the older you are, the harder it is for a surgeon to get your tonsils out, he said. Every time you have a sore throat some scar tissue builds up on the tonsils, and the more sore throats you have had, the more scar tissue will get in the way during the surgery.

Is a tonsillectomy a major surgery for adults?

A tonsillectomy is a common but major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options.

Is tonsil surgery painful for adults?

Even adults may have a considerable amount of pain after the surgery. Adults usually require approximately 14 days of convalescence after a tonsillectomy before they can return to their regular diet and work. Children mostly have no pain or mild pain 14 days after a tonsillectomy.

When should tonsils be removed in adults?

A tonsillectomy is performed as a treatment for chronic tonsillitis in adults. Tonsils may also be removed if they are enlarged and impede your ability to breathe. In cases where one tonsil is significantly larger than the other, the tonsils may be removed to ensure that there’s no cancer developing.

Is it worth having surgery to remove your tonsils?

While the risks of having your tonsils removed should not be taken lightly, if your enlarged tonsils are decreasing your quality of life, you are otherwise healthy an do not have a family history that increases your risk for surgical complications, it is probably worth it to have them removed.

When to go for a tonsil surgery?

Reasons you might have your tonsils removed as an adult include: Chronic throat infection, which is the most common reason adults have their tonsils out. Obstructive sleep apnea (if a blockage of your upper airway is caused by swollen tonsils) Bad breath , or halitosis, that doesn’t go away (if caused by a collection of pus and debris in your tonsil area) Cancer (spread from your head or neck area)

Why is tonsillectomy more difficult in adults?

Another reason adults have a tougher time is that the older you are, the harder it is for a surgeon to get your tonsils out, he said. Every time you have a sore throat some scar tissue builds up on the tonsils, and the more sore throats you have had, the more scar tissue will get in the way during the surgery.