What are the pre-treatment/surgery instructions for a tonsillectomy?

Pre-treatment and surgery instructions for a tonsillectomy are:

Consultation and medical history

• Schedule a consultation with your surgeon to discuss the procedure and address concerns.
• Provide a detailed medical history, allergies, medications, and past surgeries.

Fasting and hydration

• Fast from food and drink typically starting at midnight before surgery.
• In the days preceding the surgery, make sure you stay hydrated.

Transportation and home preparation

• Arrange for someone to drive you home post-surgery due to anaesthesia.
• Prepare your home with soft foods, ice packs, and throat lozenges.

Infection prevention

• Practise good hand hygiene to minimise infection risk.
• Avoid contact with contagious individuals.

Smoking and alcohol

• Avoid smoking and alcohol in the days before surgery.

Anesthesia and specific guidance

• Follow anaesthesia fasting instructions if needed.
• Adhere to any additional preoperative guidance from your surgeon.

Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised instructions.

What are the post-surgery instructions for a tonsillectomy?

After a tonsillectomy, it's crucial to adhere to post-surgery instructions, like:

Pain management

• Follow your doctor's instructions while using prescription painkillers.
• Don't delay taking pain medication; follow the recommended dosing schedule.

Hydration

• Stay well-hydrated with clear fluids, avoiding extremes in temperature initially.
• Begin with clear liquids like water, apple juice, and broth.

Diet

• Start with a soft, bland diet that's easy to swallow.
• Avoid spicy, acidic, or crunchy foods, gradually reintroducing solids.

Rest

• Get ample rest to aid healing; avoid strenuous activities for at least two weeks.

Oral care

• Gargle with warm salt water as directed to soothe the throat.
• Be gentle when resuming oral hygiene.

Bleeding

• Expect minor oozing; report excessive bleeding.
• Avoid actions that increase bleeding risk.

Medication and supplements

• Inform your doctor of all medications and supplements.
• Avoid aspirin and related products.

Follow-up appointments

• Attend scheduled follow-up appointments for monitoring.

Signs of infection

• Watch for increasing pain, fever, or foul-smelling discharge.
• Contact your doctor if you suspect an infection.

Recovery varies, with discomfort typically lasting a week or two. For individualised advice, always speak with your healthcare practitioner.

How do you recover after a tonsillectomy?

Recovery after a tonsillectomy usually spans 1-2 weeks. Key recovery steps include:

• Rest: Allocate time off work/school to rest and let your body heal.
• Pain management: Follow prescribed pain medications or over-the-counter options.
• Hydration: Stay well-hydrated with clear fluids; avoid irritating hot/spicy beverages.
• Diet: Start with soft, cool, easy-to-swallow foods; transition to a regular diet gradually.
• Activity: Avoid physically demanding activities for a minimum of two weeks.
• Follow instructions: Adhere to postoperative guidance for medication, dressing care, and antibiotics (if prescribed).
• Avoid irritants: Steer clear of tobacco smoke and irritants.
• Return to daily tasks: Gradually resume daily activities as pain and energy levels improve.
• Follow-up appointments: Keep track of recovery by attending planned follow-up appointments.