Postoperative Instructions
Postoperative Instructions Following Tonsillectomy With Or Without Adenoidectomy
For Adults
- Avoid heavy lifting (>15lbs) and strenuous activity for two weeks.
- Avoid nose blowing for two weeks.
- Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. aspirin, Advil®, Aleve®, ibuprofen, MOTRIN®) for two weeks following surgery.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol®), available over the counter, is appropriate for use after surgery, to be taken as directed.
- Your surgeon will also prescribe a narcotic pain medication to be used as directed after surgery.
- Please follow the instructions on the prescription bottle.
- Call our office at 952-832-5252 for a fever over 101.5 degrees F, bleeding that lasts longer than five minutes, no urination over a 24-hour period, inability to tolerate liquids, or any other questions or concerns.
- The patient will need to have a responsible adult who can drive them home from the surgery.
- The patient will need to have a responsible adult with them for 24 hours following this surgery.
Post-Tonsillectomy Pain Control
- Throat pain is greater the first few days following surgery and may last up to two weeks.
- It is not abnormal to experience ear pain following surgery.
- Discuss strategies for pain control with your healthcare provider before and after surgery; realize that antibiotics after surgery do not reduce pain and should not be given routinely for this purpose.
- Avoid hard, sharp, crusty, or crunchy foods or hot foods/liquids for two weeks; most important is to drink plenty of fluids (1-2 liters per day).
- It is normal not to want to eat solid foods due to discomfort.
- Soft foods including applesauce, pudding, rice, mashed potatoes, soft noodles, jello, ice cream, scrambled eggs are easier to swallow.
- Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, Gatorade®, or popsicles, after surgery. Staying well hydrated is associated with less pain.
- Colder liquids/foods help with reducing discomfort.
- Pain medicine should be taken as directed by your healthcare provider. For the first few days following surgery, it should be given often.
- Many clinicians do not recommend waiting to take pain medication until you are in pain. Instead, give the pain medication on a regular schedule.
- Expect to have more pain in the mornings; this is normal.
Feel free to contact our triage nurses at (952) 832-5252 during normal business hours Monday-Friday with any questions or concerns.
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