WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Pain after tonsillectomy is common and may last up to 10-14 days after surgery. 

2. Low grade fever is common. Fever greater than 101 degrees should be reported to our office. 

3. Bad breath is common. Use Simply Saline Nasal Mist in the nose 2-3 times per day. 

4. Ear pain is very common and this is not a sign of an infection. Pain radiates to the ear from the throat. 

5. White or discolored patches in the throat. There may be associated redness or swelling of the uvula. This is not a sign of infection. 

 

BLEEDING

1. Bleeding may occur at any time after surgery. This is a sign of a scab or eschar separating from the healing area in the throat. This usually is a small amount and stops with a few minutes. Drinking ice water may be helpful. If bleeding is not controlled or is a large amount, call our office immediately. You may be directed to the ER. 

 

MEDICATIONS

1. Use prescribed pain medications as needed. You may crush and mix mediation into food/yogurt as needed. Do not use Tylenol at the same time as the prescription pain medication contains Tylenol. A postdated pain medication prescription will be given and cannot be filled until 1 week post op. 

2. Miracle Mouthwash or Lidocaine mouthwash may be helpful and can be used as directed. 

3. Adult tonsillectomy patients will start oral steroids on day 3 post operative. 

4. Pediatric tonsillectomy patients can be prescribed numbing lollipops if needed. 

 

ACTIVITY

1. Activity should be greatly reduced. 

2. Recommendation is 10 full days at home post operative tonsillectomy for adults and pediatric patients. 

3. Do not recommend traveling for 2 weeks. 

 

DIET

1. Start with soft diet. Gradually increase diet as tolerated. Do not recommend small particle such as grits or rice. Maintaining fluid intake is important in the recovery period. The more calories/protein you can take in will speed up the healing process. Do not recommend citrus. 

 

POST OPERATIVE FOLLOW UP

1. Usually 2 weeks after surgery or sooner if needed. 

 

WHEN TO CALL

1. Call office during routine business hours for questions, concerns or medication request. A postdated pain medication prescription will be given at the time of surgery. 

2. After hours call physician is available for urgent problems such as excessive bleeding that does not subside with drinking ice water, dehydration concerns, airway problems, fever that is not alleviated by taking pain medication which contains Tylenol or allergic reactions. We have a physician on call after hours for urgent needs. 

 

DO NOT DRIVE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF HAVING ANESTHESIA.

DO NOT DRIVE IF YOU ARE TAKING PRECRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION.