Cost of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy by state

What is a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T and A)?

The tonsils are two round balls of tissue at the back of your throat. The adenoids sit high in your throat and are located behind the nose. 

Tonsils and adenoids protect the body from disease and function as part of the immune system. Occasionally, they can get infected, causing swelling and pain. If the tonsils and adenoids are too large, it can make breathing and swallowing difficult. 

When infections become very frequent or tonsil size causes too many problems, your doctor might recommend a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. This is a surgical procedure that removes the tonsils and adenoids at the same time. The procedure doesn’t require any incisions outside the skin because the surgeon can simply reach inside the patient’s mouth. 

It’s possible to remove just the tonsils or adenoids. Since the tonsils and adenoids perform a similar function and are located close together, it can be difficult for doctors to know which one is responsible for the problems. Therefore, they usually recommend removing both at the same time to avoid future surgery.

Does it hurt to get your tonsils and adenoids removed?

The tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedure is conducted under general anesthesia. You’ll be asleep during the entire operation and won’t feel any pain. 

After the procedure, it’s common to have a sore throat for a couple of weeks. The pain is most severe during the first week after surgery and usually goes away completely after three weeks. Your doctor may prescribe medication covered by your prescription insurance to help with the temporary discomfort.

How long do the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery take?

A typical tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery takes 30-45 minutes. The total time spent in the operating room and procedure areas will be several hours and can affect your medical bill. Before undergoing the removal procedure, patients are administered anesthesia. After the surgery is done, it can take a few hours to recover from the anesthesia, requiring more time in the hospital.

How long do you stay in the hospital after a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?

A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is an outpatient procedure. This means patients leave the hospital the same day as their procedure. Once the surgery is complete, you’ll be monitored by nurses for a couple of hours. They’ll make sure your pain is under control and that you’ve completely recovered from the anesthesia. Typically, you’ll be in hospital for 5-6 hours for a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

How long does it take to recover from a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?

Full recovery from a T&A takes a couple of weeks. Most patients are completely healed in two weeks, but some may take up to three weeks to recover. Older patients may experience a longer recovery time than younger patients. Eating soft foods and drinking plenty of fluids can help speed up the process.

What should I expect after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery?

After T&A surgery, you should get sick less frequently. It should be easier to breathe, and you may no longer snore at night. Some patients will notice a change in their voice if large tonsils were muffling it before surgery.

Are there side effects to having your tonsils and adenoids removed?

There are some possible side effects from having surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids. The possible side effects include bleeding, infection, ear pain, difficulty swallowing, and a blocked nose. 

Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about T&A or think you may need this procedure.