Well, Im 57 and I just had mine out 3 weeks ago ( with laser) BUT, and this is relavent, I also had the soft palate and uvula lasered ( thinned) at the same time. ( all for sleep apnea correction) It was the most rotten 2 weeks of my life, ( post op ) Mostly the first 4 days. Day 1-3 being pure hell. BUT, I also, as I said, had all those other things done too, which added to the pain factor a LOT. Just tonsils in and of themselves, at age 16 shouldnt be so bad. And they do give you pain meds if needed. My doc makes you stay over night ( I didnt want to leave anyhow, I live alone) for observation of swelling, which they also give you meds for to keep it to a minimum. My doc said tonsils would take 2 weeks and he recommended time off of work. I was back out doing things ( not work though) at day 5, pain then being managable. He was right, at 2 weeks I was pain free in tonsil area. The other stuff took a week longer, as he said, but Im 3 weeks toay and doing fine.