About this topic
Your tonsils are glands in the back of your throat. They help protect you from infection. Sometimes, the tonsils get infected themselves. You may need to have your tonsils taken out. This procedure is a tonsillectomy. It may be done if you: ‚
- Often have tonsil infections
- Have breathing problems because your tonsils are too big
- Have sleep problems where you stop breathing for a few seconds at a time
You are likely to have problems with your adenoids when you have problems with your tonsils. The adenoids are another small gland in the top of your mouth. Your doctor may decide to take these out at the same time. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your jaws may be stiff after the procedure. Apply a warm compress to relieve this.
- Keep your throat moist. Sip water or fluids from time to time to cleanse the throat.
- Put a cool mist humidifier in your room to soothe throat pain.
- You may notice white patches at the back of your throat after the surgery. Do not try to remove them.
- If you have a runny nose after the surgery, your doctor may give you a nasal spray. This will help keep your nose clear and lower swelling.
- Stop smoking after the procedure. Smoking slows the healing process.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
Do not take any aspirin. ‚
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent or fight an infection
- Help a runny nose
Will physical activity be limited?
Avoid heavy lifting and exertion for 10 days after surgery. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Talk to your doctor about the right kind of foods for you.
- Soft foods may be easier to eat at first.
- Avoid eating sharp or hard foods like crisps, corn flakes, or toast to prevent bleeding. Do this for 1 week or until your tonsils heal.
- Chew your food well.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Throwing up
- Total change in voice or hoarseness
- Swallowing problems
- Sleeping problems are not treated
- Lung problems
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site.
- Throwing up blood
- Too much pain
- Upset stomach and throwing up
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what foods are good for me to eat.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have too much pain or throw up blood.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Otolaryngology ¢ ˆ ’ Head and Neck Surgery ‚
http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsilsAdenoids.cfm ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/tonsil.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tonsillitis/pages/treatment.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚