Tonsillectomy

What should I expect?

During the procedure:

A tonsillectomy is the removal of your tonsils, which at the back of your throat. This is done to look for or remove a tumor in the tonsils. This is an outpatient procedure, so you will go home after surgery. You may have discomfort in your throat and an earache caused by the throat pain, for up to 2 weeks after surgery.

After the procedure:

After the lesion or tumor is removed, it is sent to pathology for review. Those results normally take 7-10 days. They will be reviewed with you at your follow up visit.

What are the risks? 

• Swelling of the tongue and roof of mouth
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Pain
• Difficulty swallowing

How do I care for myself at home?

Diet: 

• Take your pain medicine 1 hour before eating. This will make it easier to swallow.
• You should drink 2-3 quarts of liquid per day. Water, non-acidic juices, popsicles, and 7-Up are easiest to swallow.
• You should eat soft foods for nutrition. These include pudding, jello, ice cream, and yogurt.
• Avoid sharp foods such as raw fruits or vegetables, peanuts, chips, crackers, toast or popcorn for at least 2 weeks.

Wound care: 

• White patches will form on the throat and tongue during healing. This is not a sign of infection. A crust or scab will form and then come loose in 7-10 days. This may cause a small amount of bleeding. 
• You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with diluted mouthwash. Do not gargle for 3 weeks to avoid throat irritation.
• Do not smoke.

Activity:

• No lifting more than 5 pounds for 2 weeks.
• Do not play sports or return to a hard physical job until instructed by your doctor.
• Avoid being around people with colds or respiratory infections.

Things to avoid:

• Do not drive until you can move your neck to look around and you are no longer on narcotic pain medicine.
• Avoid straining with bowel movements. If needed, buy a laxative or stool softener over the counter.
• Do not take any medicines that may make you bleed easily 1 week before and 1 week after surgery, unless cleared by your doctor. This includes aspirin and ibuprofen (such as Motrin, Aleve, or Advil). If you are uncertain, call your pharmacist or the nurse.

When should I call the doctor?

Call the clinic at 859-257-4488 if you have any of these: 

• Fever of 101°F or higher
• Increased pain that is not helped by medicine
• Nausea or vomiting that does not go away
• Bleeding that does not stop
• Blood or pus draining in your throat
• Cannot eat or drink
• Any signs of dehydration: such as,
• increased heart rate
• pale skin or mucous membranes

Call 911 or go to the UK HealthCare emergency department if you have any of these:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Choking
• Trouble breathing
• Increased bleeding
• Headache and stiff neck