Tonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures kids and teens get. Knowing what to expect after surgery can help you plan things out for your child’s recovery.
What to expect
Days after surgery, your child can experience some mild ear and throat pain. The discomfort, which can last for up to two weeks, can get worse before it gets better.
Aside from that, he/she may also have bad breath, changes in voice, and in some cases, weight loss.
Helping your child recover
To help your child recover successfully from tonsillectomy, here are some things you can do:
Provide ample time for rest
Give your child sufficient time to rest. Light activities may be introduced if your child is up for it. Otherwise, activities should be kept to a minimum for at least two weeks, when your child’s energy is back.
Regarding being back in school, your child can return to school once he/she is comfortable and no longer taking prescription medication. However, it’s important to note that strenuous activities should be avoided for at least two weeks. This includes gym class and swimming.
Encourage sufficient intake of fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids is vital after tonsillectomy. The more your child drinks, the sooner the pain subsides.
Clear liquids are recommended for the first 24 hours. Your kid can have water, apple juice, and flavored ice pops.
Avoid any hot food or drinks, citrus juices, and soda pop as they can cause more pain.
When your child is ready to eat, provide easy to swallow foods. This includes soft foods like scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes.
Dairy foods can cause the saliva to thicken, making them hard to swallow. So, when providing dairy products like yogurt and ice cream, introduce them in small amounts.
Watch for bleeding
Postoperative bleeding is normal. It can occur for 5 to 14 days after surgery, some may even occur for up to 1 month.
Normally, there’s really not a lot of bleeding. If you notice coughing, vomiting, or spitting blood, go to the emergency room right away.
Help manage the pain
Many children will have moderate to severe pain after surgery. Your child’s doctor will provide you with instructions on medications, including dosage and timing.
If you have any questions or doubts even for over-the-counter medications, never hesitate to call the doctor’s office. We don’t prescribe aspirin to anyone younger than 18 years old as it has been linked to Reye syndrome.
Make sure to go to all appointments
All doctor’s appointments are vital, including follow-up appointments. Make sure to go to all of them. And if ever you notice any unusuality, call your doctor or nurse call line.
Greater Knoxville ENT has a team of expert physicians who are helping both children and adults alike in their ENT issues. If you think your child has tonsillitis, our doctor can take a look at it and recommend the most suitable treatment option.
To request an appointment, please call (865) 244-4396.