Hello, I (24F) am getting my tonsils removed and I’m shit scared 😀
My left tonsil permanently sticks out, my right one basically blends into my mouth, and I constantly get tonsil stones that antibiotics never fix. My breath always feels gross and the taste in my mouth can be awful. At my referral appointment, the surgeon said removing my tonsils will probably mean I get sick less often, since they’re likely what keeps catching bacteria, whenever I get sick, my tonsils flare up first and it even hurts to talk.
I had my first phone consult with the anaesthesia nurse, and I mentioned I’m on Wegovy (the only weight‑loss medication prescribed in NZ). She explained that because it slows digestion, I’ll need to be intubated so they can protect my airway in case I vomit during surgery. Terrifying. I also read in the info pack that codeine can be super dangerous during recovery, so I’ll have to avoid my para‑codeine during my period if it overlaps with healing.
I really wish I didn’t know half of this, I would’ve happily signed the consent form without the details 🤣 but I get that they legally have to tell me.
I’m scared of injections, although I’ve gotten better thanks to Wegovy, recent vaccines, and being sedated for my dental implant surgery a while back. I’m hoping general anaesthesia feels similar to sedation, you get the injection, talk for a few seconds, then you’re out and wake up later. Last time I woke up crying from the anxiety, so I’m fully expecting that again.
Overall, I’m just really nervous. Reading horror stories hasn’t helped, but I’m trying to prepare properly: staying hydrated, waking up during the night to drink, having ice packs, ice blocks, ice cubes, and maybe ice cream (though people say it can make your mucus thick). I’ve also seen a lot of people swear by using a humidifier at night, so I’m considering getting one even though they’re about $80 NZD.
Please share what actually helped you during recovery, what you wish you knew, what made the biggest difference, and anything that made healing easier.