Tonsillectomy

[milly143]

What's the aftercare procedure with these now? My niece is having it done next week and is a little bit scared. Being the only one in our family to have also had it done I was trying to think of things to say to her later when I see her to make her feel better about it. The thing is I remember staying in one night and waking up being scared because I didn't know where I was and not being allowed to leave until they made me eat toast, which hurt. I don't think I'll share that part with her. Do they still keep you in overnight and what do you eat afterwards?

[Rafferty]

Hi there,
I had a tonsillectomy last March so will hopefully be able to help you with any questions you or your niece might have! Im afraid the toast thing is still true - You're not allowed to go home until you've eaten it! They tell you to avoid doing the tempting thing of just eating soft foods as this impedes recovery somehow. It's apparently best to eat rough foods. I went in in the morning and stayed overnight. I think this is normal procedure. The first day is OK because they administer local anaesthetic to the area while you're in theatre so you end up waking up thinking "well thats not so bad at all!" but when that wears off it can be quite painful. I found that drinking cold drinks helped me. I was 21 when I had it done though and apparently the older you are when you have it, the worse it is! So if your niece is only young it (theoretically) shouldn't be so bad!

I hope that's been a little bit helpful. If you've got any other questions at all then let me know and I will do my best to give my opinion!

[milly143]

Thanks Rafferty, doesn't sound like it's changed much since I had it done 20 years ago. She's only 6 (the same age as I was) and although she knows she is going to have it done, they haven't yet told her it is being done next week. Although she has her pre-op this afternoon so she will know then. Perhaps it might be best for me to avoid saying anything about the procedure or how it felt after and just tell her the best bit I remember of it was getting loads of presents afterwards and of course not having tonsilitis all the time any more. :o)

[Sqad]

Rafferty has said it all.

Just one thing more.....if you feel that all is not well, a couple of days after and you look at your throat and it is yellow and ulcerated.............don´t panic.....that is NORMAL:..