S.-
I had mine out when I was about 24 (I'm 29 now) and it was awful. It WAS outpatient surgery for me and I was in and out in about 2 hrs, but it took me about a month before I had my voice back and I had a CONSTANT mild sore throat for about a year and a half afterwards. Immediately after the surgery, the pain was often so severe even with the strong pain meds that I would vomit.
The ENT told me that it takes adults a VERY long time to heal from this- you can still be having some problems for a year, but they could not figure out why my throat stayed sore for quite that long.
I think stress may have had something to do with my pain because I was a single mom, missing work at the time to deal with all of it (plus I'd had a mild concussion just before) and was still nursing my daughter, so I was afraid to be "drugged up" on the pain meds all of the time.
After about 3 yrs, I did notice that I got less sore throats when I got a cold, and when I did get them they weren't as severe as before.
My husband had his tonsils out last year and he never lost his voice at all or sounded very raspy from it, did not have much pain and didn't even WANT to take his pain meds. He was back to work in 4 days with no ill side effects. His was part of apnea surgery though, so I can't comment on whether sore throats have decreased because that really wasn't an issue with him to begin with.
If allergies and/or snoring are a problem for you, ask if they can take your adenoids and/or turbinates (in your nose) at the same time. It will lessen your allergy problems and help you sleep more quietly.
Best of wishes,
Amanda R.
mommy to Pixie, aspiring IBCLC