Has anyone who has undergone a tonsillectomy still found similar 'stones' elsewhere in their throat?

Hey, that's an excellent question—one many people share. I used to suffer from tonsil stones myself and eventually had the surgery, so I know a bit about this topic.

Short answer: Yes, absolutely.

You might find it strange—how can "stones" appear when the tonsils are removed? This is because when we say "tonsils," we usually mean the palatine tonsils, those little lumps of tissue you see on both sides of your throat when you open wide. Tonsil stones form in the crypts (tiny pits) of this specific tissue.

However, our throat area actually has a lymphatic tissue ring called Waldeyer's ring, which, besides the palatine tonsils you had removed, also includes:

• Lingual Tonsils
• Pharyngeal Tonsil (also called the adenoid)

Typically, only the palatine tonsils are surgically removed, while other tissues remain.

So where might these "stones" show up?

The most common location is the lingual tonsils.

1. New debris-collection sites:

   • Lingual tonsils sit at the base of the tongue, right where it meets the very back of your throat. Their surface is also uneven, covered in crypts, much like the palatine tonsils.
   • These crypts can trap food debris, dead cells, and bacteria. Over time, this mixture can calcify, forming deposits almost identical to tonsil stones.

2. Compensatory hyperplasia:

   • After palatine tonsil removal, the lingual tonsils often enlarge ("compensatory hyperplasia") to help fill in some of the immune function gap.
   • As they get bigger, their crypts can become deeper and more prone to trapping debris, raising the chance of stone formation.

Many people, years after surgery, start feeling that familiar throat sensation of something stuck, or occasionally cough up those small, foul-smelling white chunks. A trip to the doctor then reveals stones on the lingual tonsils.

Besides lingual tonsils, are there other possibilities?

Yes, though less common:

• Salivary Stones (Sialoliths): These form differently, due to salivary gland duct blockages. However, small salivary glands have openings near the back of the mouth; if tiny stones form there, they might feel like throat "stones."
• Thick throat secretions: Conditions like post-nasal drip or chronic throat inflammation can cause thick mucus to mix with food particles, forming small white masses resembling stones. These are usually softer than actual stones.

So what should you do?

If you've had your tonsils out but find these little stones, don't panic.

• Improve oral hygiene: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your tongue and its very back surface during brushing.
• Rinse after meals: Use plain water or salt water to gargle and rinse your throat, flushing away debris before it hardens.
• Use a water flosser: Set it to a low pressure and carefully aim the stream at the base of your tongue. Be very gentle to avoid injury.
• See a doctor: If you have significant discomfort or troubling bad breath, the fastest solution is to see an ENT specialist (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor). They can easily identify the problem during an exam and determine if treatment is needed.

So, while tonsillectomy definitively solves palatine tonsil stones, our throats are complex ecosystems. Their "sibling" tissues can still sometimes cause minor issues. Generally, it's manageable with good cleaning habits.