How to Prepare and Recover from Adenoid and Tonsil Surgery

Adenoids and Tonsils are masses of tissue at the back of the throat. These two lumps of tissue is part of the body’s defense against infections. The tonsils are visible at the back of the tongue on both sides of the throat. You also have two adenoids and they are usually not seen and are located above the tonsils. To have your tonsils and adenoids removed it requires a surgerical procedure. This removal of the adenoids and tonsils is called an adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. Children who suffer with inflamed or infected tonsils or middle ear infection usually undergo having surgery before they reach school age. The use of antibiotics for this type infection has reduced these infections and become less active or intense.

This surgery is usually recommended as a last resort. Swelling of the tonsils that cause’s intense pain can obstruct breathing. A repeated infection that causes swelling can affect hearing or general health. If tonsils become really swollen and interfere with breathing surgery would be recommended. Tonsil and adenoid surgery is performed by an eye, nose, and throat specialist or general surgeon.

Step 1 Before tonsil and adenoid surgery you will have some pre- hospital tests done like blood and urine tests and some x-rays.  This surgery is done in the hospital where you will be put to sleep by an anesthesiologist. You will be given a general anesthesia and off to sleep you go for about a thirty minute nap.

 Step 2 After you’re fast asleep someone or something will hold your mouth open and pull your tongue forward. The surgeon garbs the tonsils with a clamp and pulls it back. Next he takes a scalpel and cuts it off.

Step 3 Now for the adenoids he uses a tool that looks like a basket on the end to catch and remove the cut adenoids.

Step 4 After waking up hopefully you won’t become nauseous from the anesthesia. The doctor will prescribe you something just in case you become nauseous.

Step 5 When you’re wide awake the doctor will talk to you and prescribe you something for pain. Some other things to help ease the throat pain and soreness are ice cream, ice packs around the neck, and sucking on crushed ice.  

Things to refrain from are singing, clearing your throat and talking less as possible. You also want to stay away from spicy or foods hard to chew and swallow. It takes about two or three weeks to recuperate but you should still avoid vigorous exercise for about a month.

After returning home from the hospital if you develop excessive bleeding or cough up a vomit blood mixture, call your doctor immediately.  Severe sore throat and nasal congestion is common for the week following the operation. I guess one of the best rewards after this operation is eating a lot of ice cream and a mini vacation from any kind of vigorous work. That means no honey do’s if you are an adult.

Comments (1)

lighthouse1958 said:

	... Very interesting article. thanks for sharing these precedures with us. 5*
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November 13, 2009
Votes: +1