Tonsillectomy

Remember it is very important not to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. This includes coffee, juice and water.

On the morning of surgery please report to surgery center/hospital as scheduled.

1. Throat pain, jaw pain, and ear pain are normal following a tonsillectomy and may last up to 72 hours. Pain may be worse upon swallowing.
   
2. Elevated temperature is not unusual after a tonsillectomy. It is unusual for this to be a sign of infection. If the temperature is measured to be higher than 101.5F, then please call us. To help keep the temperature down, try to drink as much as possible. Avoid citrus juices, but try cold water, soda pop, ginger ale, popsicles, sherbet, Kool-Aid, and beef or chicken stock. Ice cream is also acceptable.
   
3. Prescriptions to be used postoperatively will be given to you prior to the surgery so you can have them filled in advance. Usually, you will be given an antibiotic. The entire antibiotic prescription should be taken as per directions on the bottle.
   
4. Avoid aspirin or aspirin-related products for two weeks after surgery as well as two weeks prior to surgery if possible. Tylenol and its related products are okay.
   
5. Pain following a tonsillectomy can be severe. Adults will be given a prescription for pain medication in a tablet or syrup and children will be given syrup. You may wish to consider subcutaneous pain medications administered by visiting nurses. This is discribed in detail in a separate brochure.
   
6. Bleeding is one of the most common complications following a tonsillectomy. It can occur at anytime after the surgery up to about two weeks. If bleeding does occur, stay calm!! In most cases it is oozing which will stop on its own. If you do notice any bleeding please call the office number immediately. If a doctor or nurse does not repond to your call within 15 minutes, then call again. In severe cases, go to the nearest Emergency Room if the office is not open. Most bleeding can be detected by having the patient spit. Blood in vomitus may look like coffee grounds or bright red.
   

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