How long does a tonsil surgery take?

The surgery takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, but the recovery from anesthesia can take a few hours. Your child might be prescribed medications after the surgery. Your child might need a blood test before the surgery to see if he or she has any increased risk for bleeding.

How long do you stay in the hospital after tonsil surgery?

Many kids go home the same day, though some may stay overnight. In general, kids under 3 years old and those with serious sleep problems (like apnea) usually stay overnight. Depending on the type of surgery done, recovery after a tonsillectomy may take a week or more.

Is getting your tonsils removed a major surgery?

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. It is a major surgery that can lead to serious complications such as bleeding, dehydration, and vomiting.

How painful is tonsil removal?

Tonsillectomy causes mild or moderate pain in most people. However, a few people may experience severe pain for the first two days after the surgery. On the third day, the pain may start subsiding. However, some may still experience severe pain on the third or seventh day after the surgery.

Can I talk after tonsillectomy?

Your voice probably will get back to normal in 2 to 6 weeks. It's common for people to lose weight after this surgery.

Tonsils and Adenoids Surgery

What can you eat after tonsil surgery?

Stick to soft, easy-to-swallow foods, such as applesauce, custard, yogurt, creamy breakfast cereals (oatmeal, Malt-o-Meal), pudding, soup, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, refried beans, and pureed fruits. Most people stick to a soft diet for a day or two after surgery. After that, you can try introducing other foods.

What is a good age to get your tonsils removed?

A child at any age can have a tonsillectomy if the indications are severe. However, surgeons generally wait until children are 3 years old to remove tonsils because the risk of dehydration and bleeding is greater among small children.

How do you sleep after a tonsillectomy?

Postoperative Instructions for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy. Activity Level: Light activity and adequate rest are recommended for the first few days. Sleeping with the head elevated 30 to 45 degrees or in a recliner for 3-4 days will reduce the swelling in the throat.

How do you brush your teeth after a tonsillectomy?

Looking after your mouth and throat

You can brush your teeth after the first night. You may have bad smelling breath as you heal. Avoid mouthwash for 1 week. You may gargle gently with a solution made of 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 250 ml (1 cup) of water.

What happens if you vomit after tonsillectomy?

Nausea and vomiting from the anesthesia is common, and usually subsides 24 hours after the surgery. Persistent and recurrent nausea and vomiting can be caused by the pain medication itself. Over-the-counter Benadryl taken together with the pain medication can be very helpful in decreasing the nausea.

What does size 3 tonsils mean?

Tonsils are graded on a scale from 0 to 4. Zero means you've had them removed, 1 means they're barely visible, 2 means they're normal, 3 means they're large and just about touching that thing that hangs down at the back of your throat called the uvula, and 4 means they're ginormous.

What does your throat look like after tonsillectomy?

You'll initially be tired and may have some leftover grogginess from the anesthesia. Tonsillectomy scabs form quickly. The scabs become thick white patches at the back of your throat. You should see one on each side on top of the small amounts of tonsil tissue leftover from your surgery.

Can I shower after tonsillectomy?

Tub bath or shower may be taken after the second day and hair may be washed after the second day. Avoid becoming overheated or fatigued for a period of two weeks. Children may usually return to school after one week, but there should be no participation in physical education classes for two weeks after surgery.

How long will my ears hurt after tonsillectomy?

PAIN –Throat pain and/or ear pain is common after tonsillectomy and it can take up to 2 weeks for you to feel better. Ear pain frequently occurs between the 3rd and 7th days and results from special nerve connections. Following tonsillectomy give regular doses of pain medications 4 to 5 times a day for a week.

What is the most painful day after tonsillectomy?

Post-operative pain may get worse around day 3 or 4, but it should then start to improve. The speed the pain goes away depends on the individual. Some people will experience pain up to 14 days after the procedure.

Is it OK to cough after tonsillectomy?

Is it normal for my child to have a cough after tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy? Coughs can be common, primarily after the first several hours post-op due to having a breathing tube during surgery.

Why are tonsillectomies worse for adults?

Adults also report experiencing more pain than children after a tonsillectomy. This could be related to adults have more scar tissue on their tonsils, making them more difficult to remove. Scar tissue builds on the tonsils with each infection, and adults have had more time to accumulate scar tissue.

How do you remove tonsils at home?

Can you bleed to death from tonsillectomy?

Tonsillectomy is said to be “the ultimate test of hemostasis.” Hemorrhage can lead to shock, airway obstruction, and death (those sound bad).

Can tonsils grow back?

It is possible for tonsils to partially grow back. During a tonsillectomy, most of the tonsils are removed. However, some tissue often remains, so tonsils occasionally can regenerate (regrow) — although they probably won't grow back completely or to their original size.

Why do ears hurt after tonsillectomy?

Q: Is it normal to have ear pain after tonsillectomy? A: Yes, children will often complain of ear pain after tonsillectomy. Sometimes the ears actually hurt more than the throat even thought the ears were not operated on. This is because the same nerve provides sensation to the throat and the ear.

Can I use a straw after tonsillectomy?

Your child should not drink through a straw after surgery until his throat is completely healed. Using a straw may increase the risk of bleeding. Give frequent small feedings of soft foods and cool liquids. They usually are most comfortable for your child.

How do you stop bleeding after a tonsillectomy?

It is important that you drink enough liquids . Do this to improve your healing, reduce the risk of bleeding, and prevent fluid loss. You will need to follow a liquid diet or soft food diet for several days after surgery. Eat popsicles and drink cool liquids often, such as water, apple or grape juice, and soft drinks.

How long do night terrors last after tonsillectomy?

Your child may experience night terrors which may last for three to four weeks. Starting the day after the surgery, your child may have a bath or a shower. Your child's breath may be unpleasant after the tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. This will get better as the throat heals.

Why can't I open my mouth all the way after tonsillectomy?

Why is it hard to open my mouth? This is due to the jaw muscles going into spasm. Chewing gum for older children and adults may be helpful.