Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Diplomate, American Board Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Adult and Pediatric ENT – Facial Plastic Surgery – Hearing and Balance – Snoring and Sleep Apnea

200A Jones Rd – Falmouth, MA 02540 – 508.540.0900 – www.uppercapeENT.com

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Instructions Following Tonsillectomy or T&A

Tonsillectomy is not an easy operation to recover from, but somehow everybody gets through it. The important thing to remember is that you will get a little better every day.

Important thing to do to speed your healing:

• Drink plenty of fluids - 2 quarts a day for adults, 1 quart a day for children
  
• Take your pain medication; it will help you get the fluids down better
  
• Avoid hot foods
  
• Avoid scratchy foods (chips, pretzels)
  

What to expect:

• Your worst sore throat
  
• Pain or numbness in the tongue (this is related to the instrument we used to open your mouth, squeezing the tongue during surgery) 
  
• Ear pain - sometimes it’s only one side, sometimes both. It usually pops up just as the throat seems to be getting better. It’s because of irritation of the nerves that go from the throat to the ear, and from there to the brain.
  
• White, gray or yellow coating in the throat where the tonsils were
  

Diet and activities:

• You may eat anything you can get down, within reason. This will be no more than liquids for a few days.
  
• Avoid intense exercise, sex or heavy lifting for TEN FULL DAYS
  
• Walking, being outside and driving are OK
  

When to call us

• For any bleeding that does not respond quickly to drinking ice water and taking pain medication.
  
• If you are unable to swallow liquids.
  
• If you are feeling very weak or nauseated. This can be a sign of dehydration, and may require a trip to the ER for IV fluids.

Managing Pain:

• Try to manage the pain with liquid Motrin® in doses appropriate for the wieght of the patient. Doses given every 6 hours:
  
  • 36-47lb. – 7.5ml.
    
  • 48-59lb. – 10ml.
    
  • 60-71lb. – 12.5ml
    
  • 72-95lb. – 15ml
    
  • over 95lb. – 20ml
    
• Tylenol® with codeine (for kids); Roxicet® liquid(for adults): #8oz: Take_________ every 4 hours for pain not controlled by Motrin. These drugs can cause nausea
  
• Carafate® suspension # 4oz.: mix one teaspoon in one ounce of water and gargle, then swallow, twice a day
  
• Viscous Xylocaine®: Swallow one teaspoon every 2 hours as needed for pain (this medicine can be good for helping to get other medicines down.)
  

Follow-up: about 1 week. Call for an appointment

Please call me if you have any questions or concerns at (508)-540-0900.

© 2010 Douglas G. Mann, M.D.
Upper Cape Ear, Nose & Throat, PC

Any information provided on this Web site should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for a consultation with a physician. If you have a medical problem, contact your local physician for diagnosis and treatment.