Should i remove my tonsils

After your operation, it's important to drink fluids when you wake up. You should try to drink, even if it hurts a bit at first. This will help you feel better and get home faster. Some kids stay in the hospital overnight; others go home the same day as their operation. You will probably need to take it easy for a few days to a week or more after surgery. Light activities would be fine.

If the doctor wants you to stay home from school, talk to your teacher about getting homework for you to do while you're getting better at home. Drink fluids during your recovery. Some doctors let you eat what you want. Others may suggest that you stick to eating soft foods. While you're getting better, you'll take medicine to help with pain and make it easier to eat and drink. After a week or two, you should feel much better. You'll be ready to go back to school and play with your friends again.

The latter can be very painful. Third, tonsils can be removed for reasons other than infection. This is most common if your tonsils have become enlarged, which may happen without any other symptoms. Tell your doctor about any current medications or health conditions as well as any family history of bleeding disorders or reactions to anesthesia.

Most patients will be advised to discontinue use of blood thinning medications for at least two weeks prior to surgery. You should also avoid eating anything after midnight the day before your procedure.

Although tonsillectomy is not complex, it does involve a significant recovery period. It is a good idea to plan for days of recovery. Most patients will be prescribed medicine for pain management and eat a limited diet consisting of liquid and liquid-like foods.

Patients must be prepared to avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or acidic foods until full recovery is complete. Risks of tonsillectomy are minor and do not compare to the risks of leaving damaged tonsils untreated. Inflamed tonsils Tonsils are fleshy pads located at each side of the back of the throat. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Lalwani AK. Management of adenotonsillar disease.

McGraw Hill; Accessed Oct. Mitchell RB, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Tonsillectomy in children Update. Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. Messner AH. Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in children: Postoperative care and complications. Kliegman RM, et al. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.

A common complaint after the surgery is a severe sore throat, making it hard to eat. The chill of ice cream or a popsicle can provide relief. But not every case of tonsillitis justifies surgery. And though tonsillectomies have been done less frequently since the s, they are still considered one of the most common major surgical procedures for children.

Here, Dr. Drake explains the procedure—and when you or your child might need it. During a tonsillectomy, surgeons remove two round lumps in the back of the throat known as the palatine tonsils.