How do you prepare for Tonsillectomy?

• Your doctor may ask you to stop taking blood thinning medicines like aspirin or other medications containing aspirin for at least two weeks prior to surgery.
• You will be asked to stop eating anything after midnight before the scheduled surgery.
• You will undergo undergo several  blood tests, X-rays, MRI, EKG, and medical and anesthesia clearance tests in order to determine your health condition

What happens during Tonsillectomy?

Tonsillectomy is done in the presence of general anesthesia to numb the pain during the surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon will cut out the tonsils using a blade or a scalpel or a specialized surgical tool that uses high energy in the form of sound waves or heat. This type of energy destroys the tissues and stops bleeding. The surgery takes about 30 minutes.

What can you expect after Tonsillectomy Surgery?

• After the surgery you may experience pain in the throat, ears, jaws or neck.
• You will be instructed to avoid strenuous activities — such as running and bike riding for two weeks after the surgery
• To avoid dehydration, your doctor may ask you to drink plenty of fluids after surgery

What are the risks associated with Tonsillectomy?

• reactions to the anesthetic
• bleeding at the surgical site
• swelling
• infection
• fever
• dehydration
• breathing problems

What are the lifestyle changes you need to make after Tonsillectomy?

You will be advised to have bland foods that are easy to swallow, such as porridge and broth for a few days after surgery. You need to avoid eating spicy, acidic, hard and crunchy food items as they may cause pain and bleeding.