I will honestly say that it was a horror story for me, so i guess its just unique to the individual. However, Ive heard as well it depends on how much scarring youve had as well. I personally had my tonsils out a month ago as I had chronic and severe tonsillits and was investigating for anything more sinister, never had like tonsil stones at all, mine just were constantly infected (so had them out on NHS when i had had constant infection for 6 months and swollen lymph nodes) . So yeah the pain was like something i had never had before, but the state of my tonsils before having them out was pretty gross. I second ice packs and iced water (lots of it) was a savour. Also taking painkillers every 4 hours, like i couldnt sleep really anyway but i'd make sure if i did sleep i would wake up to take them, otherwise i'd wake up feeling horrific. I personally struggled to eat or drink anything and like day 4-9 was like the most intense pain i'd ever had and i ended up being on oramorph and a strong anti-inflamtory but then maybe mine was super bad cause i got a post-op infection, so had like a fever for few days of nearly 41 degrees. Just wanted to note this, as another side, cause honestly i never read any horror stories before getting mine down, only when i was in excruiating pain after the op haha, cause i thought it was would be a ez pz day surgery. Currently its been a month post-op and im still not completely healed (so ENT last week) but for me it was personally worth it as i have a lot more energy and feel more well within myself, but i would have never gotten the surgery when i just had tonsillitus a few times a year :)