Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Postoperative Care Instructions

• Keep head elevated on 2 or more pillows when in bed.
• Consume as much fluids as tolerated. Water, apple juice, and other non-citrus juices are fine.
• Avoid citrus drinks such as lemonade or orange juice, as these may cause throat pain. Avoid hot drinks, which can cause bleeding.
• A soft diet can be taken when tolerated. For the first week after surgery, avoid foods that have sharp edges (chips, toast, etc.) and hot foods (temperature) that can cause bleeding. Spicy foods can cause throat pain and should also be avoided.
• The throat pain can be significant, but Tylenol or other prescription pain medication used as directed should be adequate to make the pain tolerable. Most patients will need it every fours hours for the first day or so.
• The throat pain should begin to improve after two to three days but may not completely resolve for 10 to 14 days. Occasionally, patients have ear pain following tonsillectomy, this is normal and will resolve as well.
• A whitish membrane will form where the tonsils were and the breath may be malodorous for a few days. These findings are normal. Some patients find that chewing gum helps to relieve their pain and to improve the quality of their breath.
• If any bleeding, breathing problems, or fever above 101.5 F occurs, call the office immediately.
• Take your antibiotic (if one is prescribed) until it is finished.
• Please contact our office to schedule a follow-up visit two weeks after your surgery.
• If you need a refill for your prescribed medications, please call during usual business hours.