About Tonsillectomy:
Tonsillectomy is a surgery that is performed to remove tonsils that are a source of chronic or recurring infections or contributing to sleep apnea. When performed for sleep apnea, the procedure is known as a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and also involves trimming the uvula and placing dissolving sutures.
Before your surgery:
If you are on blood thinners talk to your prescribing provider for instructions on when to stop before surgery and when to restart after surgery
Avoid any medications or supplements that can thin the blood such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and ginkgo biloba the week before surgery.
You may not eat or drink anything, including water after midnight on the day of surgery. However, you may take medications with a sip of water the day of surgery.
After your surgery:
Pain is to be expected and reaches a peak in the first 2-3 days after surgery.
You may be prescribed a prescription pain medication. Otherwise you can take Tylenol alternating with Motrin every six hours per package directions. We can also prescribe numbing lollypops through a local compounding pharmacy.
Expect to take at least 7-10 days off of school or work. Avoid any exercise for two weeks.
After the first week you may gradually resume regular activity.
It is normal to experience ear and jaw discomfort and bad breath after surgery.
Do not be alarmed if you experience these symptoms. It is also common to see a white coating where the tonsils used to be – this is not an infection and is part of normal healing.
Eat a soft diet for the first 10 – 14 days after surgery.
This will limit discomfort and reduce the risk of bleeding
Expect a small amount of blood tinged saliva.
This can be managed by rinsing with cold water until resolved.
If any heavy or profuse bleeding please go to the emergency room for evaluation
Even under ideal circumstances, 1 – 4% of patients will have some degree of bleeding after surgery, with 1% requiring another trip to the operating room to treat bleeding.