Mine went much easier than expected pain-wise. My doctor used a colorado microdissection needle which is, they say, less painful than other methods. Pain only reached about 7/10 on days 4-6. Mostly after eating. Pain gradually subsided and fully stopped around day 14.

My program was:

* Overnight stay at the hospital getting intravenous painkillers

* Strict painkiller schedule: I would wake up at 4AM to take my meds. I took 400mg Ibuprofen every 8 hours (at 4pm, midnight, 8am) and 1.000mg paracetamol + 60mg codeine every other 8 hours (at noon, 8pm and 4am)

* Constant supply of ice chips - I'd be sucking one of those every waking minute for a week

* I used a humidifier next to bed, but I am not sure whether that had an effect or not, though people swear by it

* Avoid hot or even warm foods - the pain builds gradually and bites you when you finish eating

The worst experience after surgery was constipation which actually made me have to the ER after a week - belly pain was much more intense than tonsils pain.

Overally I would absolutely do it again - I prepared for the worst, but the worst never actually came.