Thanks so much for the responses all, I really appreciate the kind reception and the info.

I had the biopsy today under general anesthesia so I'm on Oxycodone (just taking half dose since it makes me nauseous, will probably switch to just Tylenol tomorrow) and Cephalexin at the moment. The doctor told me after the procedure that he found some calcification in the right lower tongue that he removed and cauterized along with other snippets. I wasn't in a great state to ask questions because I was pretty loopy, but he wants to see me in a week to see where I'm at and discuss whatever results come back from the lab. From my feeble attempt at some research afterwards I'm not clear on whether it was a tonsilolith or something else.

@Gary: I will definitely ask about HPV, thanks for bringing that up. My deal with my wife has always been that I would quit tobacco once we had kids (and that was just 2 months ago). It's never been very hard for me to quit but it is generally hard not to start back up again at some point down the line. I do feel like this experience has given me enough of a reality check that I have stronger motivation not to jump back in this time around, and I'm doing some research on successful quitting strategies to try to improve the odds.

@Maria/Christine: I think the main reason that the doctor decided to put me under general anesthesia is because he was keeping the option of lingual tonsillectomy open, but once he got in and took a look he didn't feel that it was necessary. My throat is scratchy and it's a bit hard to eat or talk loudly, but I'm not in a terrible amount of pain or anything and I expect I'll be back to work Thursday or Friday.

Again thanks, and I'll post again after my appointment next week.