Instructions for Patients Undergoing
Tonsillectomy and/or Adenoidectomy

1. Use no aspirin or aspirin products or ibuprofen medications for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. These medications can thin your blood and increase your chance of serious bleeding. Tylenol use before and after surgery is not a problem.

2. Following surgery, expect some pain on swallowing and eating.

3. Expect some ear pain. (It is "referred" pain from the throat.)

4. Expect some nasal discharge and bad breath.

5. Call the doctor if there is marked bleeding or a temperature elevation of more than 101.5.

6. Use the medicines as prescribed.

7. Do not eat sharp, spicy or very hot foods. Avoid acidic drinks or foods such as orange juice.

8. If you have had your tonsils removed, eat a soft diet for approximately two weeks. You may resume a regular diet as tolerated following just the removal of your adenoids.

9. Do not do strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks or until checking with the doctor at your first postoperative visit.

10. Do not blow your nose forcefully for 2 weeks following removal of your adenoids.

11. Do not use aspirin, and do not smoke.

12. Rinse the mouth with a saline (salt water) solution three or four times a day (one teaspoon of salt to one quart of warm tap water), if it seems to help alleviate pain or bad breath.

13. Keep your head elevated by sleeping on an extra pillow for approximately 24 hours.

14. Children may return to school in 3-10 days after a tonsillectomy, and 3 days after an adenoidectomy, but should not go to play period/gym class for at least 2 weeks.

15. Be careful brushing your teeth and avoid mouthwashes with alcohol.

16. Do not be alarmed if you should see white patches at the back of your throat. These patches are indications that the surgical area is healing.