What Precautions Should I Take After Tonsils Removal Surgery/Tonsillectomy?
Tonsils are two large pads of tissue at the back of your throat. Your tonsils can get inflamed due to recurring infections or strep throat. Tonsillectomy is the surgical procedure to remove your tonsils. It is required when you have frequent infections, obstructive sleep apnea or other complications.
Tips and precautions for tonsillectomy recovery
Most of the time, people feel extremely tired after the tonsillectomy. Their throat is most likely to be swollen and they may experience difficulty in speaking or even eating. However, this is likely to improve after 10-14 days of taking precautions and following some care tips.
Some of them include:
Rest: It is important to not exert and take rest for at least 48 hours after the procedure. You will begin to feel less tired after a few days and will be able to return to work within a week. It is advised to avoid any vigorous activity for at least 14 days.
Stay Hydrated: It is important to make sure you remain hydrated for the first 72 hours. A good fluid intake reduces the risk of going to the emergency room due to dehydration after the procedure. It also keeps the surgical site moist which eases the pain. The signs of dehydration are dark urine, urinating less than normal, dry skin, lethargy, crying without tears, high fever, etc.
Humidifier: A humidifier can be used to add moisture to the dry air which can help soothe your throat.
Elevate your head: Snoring is quite common after a tonsillectomy as most people begin to breathe through their mouth due to the swelling. This may last for 2-3 weeks. You can elevate your head by propping some pillows underneath while going to bed to help with the snoring.
Rinse with cold water: If you experience any mild bleeding, sit upright and swish cold water around your mouth and rinse several times. The mild bleeding may occur because the white or greyish membrane breaks off in the back of the throat about 5-10 days after the surgery. A small amount of bloody mucus may ooze out. If you experience more than a little bleeding, go to the emergency room immediately.
Chewing Gum: Chewing gum may help in reducing the muscle spasms experienced after a tonsillectomy. Bad breath is also very common after the surgery and is caused due to the healing at the back of the throat. Chewing gum may help with this as well. Avoid using over-the-counter mouthwashes as they tend to dry out the throat.
Diet After Tonsillectomy
A lot of times, patients do not feel like eating after undergoing a tonsillectomy. However, it is important to maintain and follow a nutritious diet to provide an extra hand to your recovery.
Don’t force it: A lot of times, patients feel nauseous after the surgery. Hence, it is important to start slow by drinking small sips of water and increase the quantity gradually. Manage your fluids before you move on to the food.
Drink plenty of fluids: Liquid moistens the throat, prevents dehydration and provides nourishment and calories. Drink clear liquids like water, apple juice, white grape juice, electrolyte drinks, ice pops, etc. Dairy products can trigger nausea and in some cases, increase oral mucus production, so it is best to avoid them.
Soft food: Solid food can irritate the back of the throat after the surgery. You should stick to soft food that’s easier to swallow, such as custard, yoghurt, soup, mashed potatoes, pureed fruit, cottage cheese, etc. You can slowly introduce solid foods after 2-3 days.
Bland food: Spicy food can cause irritation to the throat as well as the stomach. Hence, it is better to stick to bland food after a tonsillectomy for a few days, like bananas, waffles, scrambled eggs, buttered noodles, lightly seasoned chicken, etc.
Avoid crunchy food: If you eat chips and other crunchy food, their jagged edges can scrape over the area in your throat that needs to be healed.
Hence, it is best to avoid it until you have healed completely.
Avoid hot food: Cool or cold food are usually more soothing to the throat after a tonsillectomy than hot food. Hence, it is advisable to stay away from hot meals or drinks for at least a few days. You can gradually add the warm and hot meals or beverages afterwards.
Takeaway
A fair amount of discomfort is experienced after the tonsillectomy and it takes over two weeks to recover. It is important to be observant and pay more attention to how your body is reacting and avoid any vigorous activity while recovering. Maintain your diet and follow other precautions and tips religiously.
If you experience any other severe symptoms or symptoms of dehydration, contact your healthcare practitioner immediately.