Bod Squad

My doctor just told me I need to get my tonsils removed. What are tonsils for anyway? If I don’t need them, why do I have them?

Open your mouth and say, “Aahh!” When you’re young, tonsils protect the airway during swallowing and digestion. “As you get older, the tonsil tissues shrink up and become very small—even disappear. They serve no purpose,” says Dr. Philip Scheinberg, an ear, nose and throat specialist. “In some individuals, the tissues remain and trap bacteria that causes strep throat and tonsillitis.” The throat becomes a source of infection, even placing your heart and kidneys at risk. In those cases, Dr. Scheinberg says, the tonsils must be removed—a tonsillectomy, which is an outpatient procedure. Sore throats are common the week after a tonsillectomy but, otherwise, it’s a simple recovery. “After the surgery, your throat infections will disappear,” says Dr. Scheinberg. And you get to feast on all the popsicles you want.

BY ANDREA T. ON 8/27/2008 5:50:00 PM 136 COMMENTS

136 READER COMMENTS

first comment?

zhangerino on 8/27/2008 6:14:01 PM

i never knew what tonsils were used for
thanks guys

gabby3 on 8/27/2008 6:16:02 PM

I had my tonsils taken out and its not scary they put you to sleep with a beathing sleepy mask lol and you get to choose a flavor theres bubble gum banana starberry orange and more plus after you get popsicals and freezies for your throat casue ti might be soar so dont worry

Gurlygirl500 on 8/27/2008 6:17:21 PM

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! FEAST ON POPSICLES!!!!!!!!!!! FEEAST!!! HAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAAH

HYPEr

biker08chick on 8/27/2008 6:20:54 PM

THIRD COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

k im done now

biker08chick on 8/27/2008 6:21:46 PM

<33333333

biker08chick on 8/27/2008 6:34:10 PM

1st comment? Anyway, anyone else tonsil-less??

♥take_me_away♥ on 8/27/2008 6:35:55 PM

Hullo, Puppet!

cjlizzy on 8/27/2008 7:01:34 PM

at first wen i read it i thought it said my doctor said i had to get my toenails removed!! i was really gettin kinda freak then i read it again n realized it said tonsils oh well stupid mee!!

neworleans_chic on 8/27/2008 7:33:18 PM

I had to get my tonsils out too. dont sweat it chica, its all good. But if u have a hrad time breathing at night lik i did(my mom actually totld me tha at times i would stop breathing and she was soo scared for me)i also got a lot of ear infection and they leaded this all to my tonsils, and lemme tell u they were right.
for about two weeks after u wont really want to eat anything. and whatever u do DONT EAT CHIPS or anything else that could scratch ur very sore throat area. They say ur soo lucky u get to eat all the ice cream and popciles u want, HA! were those ppl ever wrong, lol.
GOOD LUCK, and go for it, its worth it
then u can gloat to all ur friends and say guess what u have tonsils and i dont!
now the rents cant slam on u for tonsil tag/hockey, cuz guess what u dont have any!

some1whodreams on 8/27/2008 7:45:35 PM

dont worry its not that bad u get to eat as many popsicles and gallons of ice cream as u want its awesome its gonna b sore it hurts to yawn and swallow hard foods so b careful but they should put u on pain killers so it doesnt hurt as bad

omgiluvme23 on 8/27/2008 7:47:15 PM

I AM TOTALLY TONSIL-LESS!
go tonsil-less girls! we rock
oh, and another thing mine were getting about the size of golf balls, very dangerous. ask ur doc lotsa questions and ask for any kiddie pamphlets on having them removed, cuz it easier to undersatnd when its in kid language and there r lotsa pictures! hehe

some1whodreams on 8/27/2008 7:48:23 PM

haha, wow, look at how poorly i typed that one comment of mine, yikes!
sorry girls, im usually not this bad at typing, i know how to spell and complete proper english, i must have just been out of it as i was typing, again, sorry!

some1whodreams on 8/27/2008 7:51:26 PM

MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
I've been having a lot of pain in my lower right side a little above my hip whenever i cough, laugh, or push on it. Is that where my appendex is? I told my parents and my mom told me that if it doesnt go away soon ill have to go to the docter.
P.S. if i do have to get my Appendex removed how noticeable is the scar? thax

hey girl!

Im sorry i dont know that much about having your appendix removed, but if i still is very painful i would go to the doctor soon. Ashley<3

beauty4girls on 8/27/2008 8:25:58 PM

I got mine removd as a child and they pu tme to sleep. Mine were so bad, it was becoming hard to swallow anything. But i got them removed and my mom said it smelled like a dead person for a week. But i got to eat pudding! =D Lots of pudding, and after 4 days, hot soup. ahhhh yum!

2mousegetsthecheese on 8/27/2008 8:36:28 PM

MOD!!! omg i feel so dumb i shouldnt have listened to my friend.when i talked to her on the phone she was like ''you should call Alan and ask him to give his opinion about you" so i called him and he answered and i said "hey what do you think about me" and he said what do you mean.and i said(OMG)"do you think im ugly?"and then he said "no..why did u ask me that?" and i said "oh because this girl sayd im ugly"and then he said "oh..she's just jealous" but it was so awkward and i felt really stupid.he might not want to talk to me again.

It may have been awkward, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just play it off like the convo was no big deal and he'll probably forget about it. -lauren

Kimm23 on 8/27/2008 9:18:37 PM

I am going to have to get my tonsils out to.

girscouts2664 on 8/27/2008 9:52:21 PM

Beauty4girls- I got my appendix taken out. It's not bad, but I also had to get two other things taken out (right ovary and right phillopian tube). Just don't be scared! I don't even know what it is for. Good luck girl!

girscouts2664 on 8/27/2008 9:57:07 PM

cool i always heard about "getting your tonsils removed"
but i never knew what it meant
thanks

fashionista8613 on 8/27/2008 10:07:20 PM

Wow, I know SO many people that have to get their tonsils out this year! It's kinda weird...

Courtney on 8/27/2008 10:35:41 PM

MODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMODMOD!!!!!!!!!!!! and girls, I have a question!!!! Is it possible to subscribe to Girls Life by mail? Since it costs $14.95 could I mail the money in cash by mail or check? Or is any form fine? Thanx and have a great day!!!! p.s Please reply I really need this info! ~*orangeslice*~

You would be able to purchase a subscription by mail. In every issue of GL you can find a subscription postcard that you can send into GL with your payment. -lauren

orangeslice on 8/27/2008 10:54:42 PM

I still have my tonsils. Once in Kindergarten a girl in my class got her tonsils out, but I don't really remember.

Beauty4girls: My friend got her appendix out almost a year ago. She was sick for a few days before her appendix started hurting, so if you are throwing up or anything, you should probably see a doctor. She had surgery and she was reeeeally tired for about a week. We went over to her house to give her a present, and she didn't even want to open it, which was unlike her! lol But you will be fine, maybe a bit tired from the surgery, but fine if you actually do have appendicits. You should probably want to see a doctor sooner than later because if your appendix ends up bursting, that could be bad.

ShopperSoccerGurl on 8/27/2008 11:36:36 PM

Mod so both me and my crush have a facebook and as talking this one time and he was talking as if he was a popular guy and he isn't. But then he was real nice and seemed like my friend, but then he ended the conversation rudely. He also asked about my ex and idk what that means. I really want to talk to him again but idk if i shoiuld start it like last time cuz i don;t really want to. What should i do and what does it mean if he's like that?

This guy is probably trying to impress you, but wasn't doing it very gracefully. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you want to talk to him again, just go for it. -lauren

SouljaGirl22 on 8/27/2008 11:37:58 PM

i got my tonsils out when i was 5 years old. it really wasnt that bad. all i really remember is the popsicle slushies and the liquid medicine that tasted like banana smoothies. yum!!

xeoa on 8/27/2008 11:46:31 PM

i still have my tonsils and appendix, but how do you know when you need your tonsils out, and when you need your appendix out? what are the symptoms? please give me this information. THANKS!!!

purple princess99 on 8/28/2008 1:46:06 AM

***MOD*** My mom is getting a divorce from my stepdad.i usually dont like him but now he is acting all nice because he still loves my mom.I feel so bad for him and i have all these emotions(happy than sad,excited to move out than scared)last night we had cake for my moms birthday but i couldnt even eat any because i was so upset and i cried myself to sleep. My mom thinks im mad at her but im not i just dont know how to express all my feelings.If you have any idea how i can cope with this please tell me,i would really appreciate it.

Hey Girl, im so sorry about that, divorces are hard on everyone in the family, and most of the time hard to understand why its happening, you just have to know that its the best for both in the long run, you dont want your mom or stepdad to constantly being upset. Talk to your parents and tell them you love them and just want everything to be okay and let them know you'll be there for them too, and its totally fine to cry and talk about it. *Cara T*

xoitssewxo on 8/28/2008 10:37:39 AM

Thanks Lauren!! You rock!

~*orangeslice*~

orangeslice on 8/28/2008 10:38:05 AM

Mod, instead of finding a postcard could I simply mail it by using an envelope from home? Thanks again!! ~orangeslice~

Hey Girl, yeah thats no prob. *Cara T*

orangeslice on 8/28/2008 11:21:02 AM

MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD If yo are there ok iam a varsity cheer leader and i have to have a physical for school so i went to the doctor he felt some thing hard and made have an ultrasound done and the found a 11 cm dermoid. I have to have surgery and i am very scared can you help with any info plz anythin will help thanks byye

Hey Girl, evrything will go fine so you shouldnt worry, your doctor is looking out for your overall health, and your recovery time shouldnt be too long, so you should be able to cheer. Talk to your doc about all the details so you can feel more comfortable about everything. *Cara T*

flip flop gurl on 8/28/2008 12:23:38 PM

HEY MODDDD!!!!!!! ok my lil sis is constantly getting strep throat. is it because something is wrong with her tonsils?

Hey Girl, no, its just a virus that can be passed around to anyone. *Cara T*

animegirlie22 on 8/28/2008 12:26:30 PM

MOD!! ok so me and one of my bffs had a fight and she yelled at me and said that she nvr wanted 2 tlk 2 me again and deleted me from her friends list on myspace and blocked me on her phone. so i couldnt txt her or call her and say i was srry...well its been a week and she emailed me this morning saying she was rlly srry that she blew up and wants 2 b friends again..but the thing is i'v been crying this week cause i was soo upset about her not wanting 2 tlk 2 me my other bffs say that i shouldnt b her friend and they all hate her so i get y they dont want me 2 b her friend..but i sort of want 2 b her friend but im afraid she'll hurt me again..should i giv her a 2nd chance

Hey Girl, im all about second chances, I think you should accept her apology but also talk to her and let her know how upset she made you and that you dont want something like that to happen again, you want to avoid future drama and just be friends! *Cara T*

moosesrockj on 8/28/2008 12:36:59 PM

my 5 yr old cousin got hers out...i was there for the nonsurgery b/c me and her r closeit made me cry to see her asleep.but shes ok BUT PEOLPE if u have to get yours out b/c there r big and u have a hard time breathing your voice WILL change and thats normal after u r like ok u will sound different

girly-girl-#1 on 8/28/2008 2:11:42 PM

i had my tonsils taken out in 4th grade (im in sixth now) and it wasnt too bad. my voice changed for a while but it was ok. but u still get sore throats in fact i have one rite now, but my brother gave it to me (thanks, bro! :-&)

lilgirlyme on 8/28/2008 2:56:46 PM

Hey Gurl,

I had my tonsils removed a long time ago. I LOVED IT! The only bad thing was that your throat was sore, but aside from that, it was great!!! I got to eat ice cream and popsicles for every meal. And I was treated like a royal queen, lol.

cross_country_luver on 8/28/2008 3:29:31 PM

******************mod***************************
i've heard that there's a stomach virus going around and i think i have it...like,almost every day for a week i've gotten this sharp,shooting pain in my stomach and it feels kinda like crampy-throwuppy and i told my mom because the other day it got so bad that i had to call her...i don't want to spend the money to go to the doctor because we'll really need the money since we live in louisiana and the hurricane's coming...what should i do...please help

nirvanaluver on 8/28/2008 4:02:01 PM

i got mine out like a year and a half ago. after the fourth day your throat's really gonna hurt. i suggest bouillon for those really painful days. i haven't gotten a cold or sore throat since!!!

BFFsR4eva on 8/28/2008 5:29:43 PM

MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
Does chocolate give you zits? just wondering!
MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD

hey!

No it does not. Ashley<3

go_green12 on 8/28/2008 6:00:29 PM

one of my bgf's got his tonsils taken out, i went 2 the hospital the day after the operation and he couldn't even talk, so we just played cards without talking at all. but he did get to eat ice cream and popsicles!!! haha.

megabegabyte on 8/28/2008 7:44:50 PM

after ur tonsils are taken out, ur voice normaly gets higher piched, after awhile it will go back to normal. a girl at my school got hers taken out and she stayed homme for a month! her voice was really high but it went down after awhile.

rockstar#7*AKA*green bay packers fan on 8/28/2008 8:13:44 PM

now i want my tonsils removed for no reason. hearing people say "u get 2 eat all da ice cream, popsicles, slushys and etc" and other stuff like that. to bad mine won't bug. they are so small.

rockstar#7*AKA*green bay packers fan on 8/28/2008 8:17:47 PM

I am getting mine out soon to. I wonder what they are for too?

girscouts2664 on 8/28/2008 8:20:02 PM

ahh dangit! my 2 comments showed up but my question didn't. crud....

rockstar#7*AKA*green bay packers fan on 8/28/2008 9:25:27 PM

whaers my fricken question!?!? gosh...

rockstar#7*AKA*green bay packers fan on 8/28/2008 9:32:46 PM

mayb it's my computer that is a peice of junk

rockstar#7*AKA*green bay packers fan on 8/28/2008 9:33:38 PM

OMG!!! i have a story to tell!!! i have really bad athsma and i had to get mine out. so i did. but i was soooooooo sick right before i got them out that my throat was really really really sore and the stiches were irratating my it. well anyway, i finally got to eat solid food one day and then i started coughing really badly and then blood started gushing out of my throat. so i had to have emergancy surgery AGAIN!!!! and the person that put the iv in my arm put it in my arm wrong and i STILL have a little hole in my arm. it was really scary, but i can breath alot better now! YAY!!!! Oh, and the doctor said that pretty much only two people in the world bleed every year after getting their tonsils out. I SURE AM LUCKY! NOT!

chocolate_luvr on 8/28/2008 9:42:53 PM

purpleprincess99,

you only have to have your tonsils and your appendix out if they are infected. if you get strep throat often, your risk of getting your tonsils out is higher. for the appendix, you'll just know. it just happens, you can't catch it or anything.

londongirl12 on 8/28/2008 10:06:32 PM

My friends sister just got her tonsils and adenoids taken out yesterday :-( she sounds terrible but she gets to eat a TON of ice cream

marvin61994 on 8/29/2008 11:09:48 AM

I am tonsil-less since my 6th birthday any others
quiz:
1)*fave color*-black duh!! I hate pink it is EVIL
2)*birthday month*-october (best month ever go halloween)
3)*age*-11
4)are you shy around boys?-not at all
5)*how popular are you?*-normal/medeum
6)*have you ever stood up to a mean teacher?*no but she made me cry
7)*what grade are you in?*-6th
8)*do you play sports?*-yes, volleyball and swim team
9)*fave food*-sushi
10)ever had a BF?*- well, sorta...

watchout on 8/29/2008 1:57:35 PM

Hey beautygirl I had my appendix out and like in 4th grade and u can barely see the scar it gets skin color after awile, but the surgary does hurt. It sounds like u have appendixitise u should go to the doctor right away because I know someone who waited to long and her appendix burst and she had major surgary

legalybrunete496 on 8/29/2008 4:41:53 PM

purple princess99 for if u have a pain right above ur right hip but lower that ur belly button u might need ur appendix out and if ur throut hurts alot and u have trouble breathing or swolling u should get ur tonsills looked at

legalybrunete496 on 8/29/2008 4:45:05 PM

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Bod Squad

My doctor just told me I need to get my tonsils removed. What are tonsils for anyway? If I don’t need them, why do I have them?

136 READER COMMENTS

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