I have had bright red, swollen tonsils for two months. I have been to the ENT, who after barely peeking in my mouth insisted that I have a tonsillectomy. After getting my cardiac clearance letter for the surgery, and bringing it to the ENT, he (finally) took a good look at my throat. He abruptly told me that he cannot do the procedure because my palate is too short/tight. I told him it is only tight looking since I’ve had this redness/swelling. He said it is just my anatomy. He gave me Augmentin and a steroid (this is now my third course of antibiotics for this). I believe this swelling may be related to a peritonsilar abscess behind my left tonsil (it all began on the left side). I have aching pain in the tonsil area, base of my tongue, and sometimes palate. No sore throat or fever. I feel swollen lymph nodes on the left side (and so did my primary care).