What to expect after a tonsillectomy Diet Eating and drinking helps your throat feel better sooner and heal faster. * Drink plenty of fluids-it’s very important * Eat only soft foods (popsicles, Jello, soup, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs)
Foods to avoid * Anything with sharp edges (pizza, tacos and chips) * Spicy or sour foods that will sting and burn (orange juice, grapefruits and tomato products)
Pain and what to expect Pain is expected for two weeks. Follow directions for pain medication; do not wait until pain is unbearable, and remember more is not better! * You will have pain the first three days after surgery, especially in the ears--this is not a sign of ear infection but comes from the tonsils * If medicine causes upset stomach or vomiting, take with small amounts of food or switch to plain Tylenol * Do not take aspirin or any medicine that contains aspirin for three weeks since aspirin-containing medicines can cause bleeding * Call the doctor’s office if you still have a lot of pain
Nausea An upset stomach or even vomiting is common the first two days after surgery. It is from old blood, swallowed during surgery. If vomiting does not get better then contact a physician.
Activity Observe these precautions for two weeks * It’s OK to walk but no…. - weightlifting - running - heavy exercise
Bleeding One out of every 25 people who have a tonsillectomy bleed after surgery.
Bleeding occurs most often when the “scab” falls off the tonsil area 7-10 days after surgery
To help, you may: * Gargle gently with a glass of ice cold water and spit it out
*If bleeding stops quickly then nothing further needs to be done. If bleeding does not stop, go to the emergency room or call an ambulance.
Reasons to contact your doctor’s office * High fever (> than 100.5) * Upset stomach or vomiting that will not stop * Trouble swallowing liquids * Trouble going to the bathroom * Bleeding * Trouble breathing
ANMC phone numbers to call: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 ENT Clinic: (907) 729-1400 Pediatric Clinic: (907) 729-1000 ER/UCC: (907) 729-1700 |
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