In the immediate post-operative recovery period, a liquid diet should be maintained. Patients may feel temporarily drowsy and nauseated from the anesthesia. You may experience vomiting after the anesthetic. Medication is available for nausea.
Diet: During the first week, it is essential that fluids are increased. Remember, ice-cream and popsicles count as fluids. It is not uncommon for patients to lose weight after a tonsillectomy. This weight is usually gained back during the second or third post-operative week. Even if your child does not eat, he or she must still drink fluids during the first seven days after surgery. When liquids are tolerated satisfactorily, the diet may be advanced to a soft diet. Avoid hot, spicy or sharp foods (like chips and pretzels). Citric juices like orange and grapefruit may cause discomfort. Dairy products are allowed. Sherbet
ice-cream and popsicles are often soothing and a good source of liquid intake.
Fever: Some fever is expected. A low-grade fever (101° orally or 102° rectally) is common during the first several days after the operation. It is often associated with inadequate fluid intake and should be treated by increasing fluids. An infection of the tonsil beds after surgery is extremely rare. Should the fever persist, or rise above 102°, please call the office or physician on call.
Pain: Expect some throat and ear discomfort, sometimes lasting 7 to 14 days after a tonsillectomy. Please use the prescribed pain medication as directed by Dr. Bankaci. Apply ice packs to your neck, if possible, during the first 24 hours. This may help. Usually the third through fifth post-operative days are the worst in terms of pain. The more fluids your child drinks, the more it helps the healing process and pain level. If pain is not relieved, please contact
Dr. Bankaci. Please DO NOT USE ASPIRIN. Aspirin and Aspirin containing products can increase the chances of bleeding during the first 10 days after surgery.
Bleeding: Watch for post-operative bleeding. Bleeding it is the most common complication after a tonsillectomy. A little bleeding the day after surgery is normal. The most common times for bleeding are the initial 24 hours and 7 to 10 days after surgery. Often, bleeding stops spontaneously or by gargling gently with ice water. If these measures do not control bleeding, or if you are concerned at all, please call Dr. Bankaci or go to the nearest Emergency Room.
Bad Breath: It is very common for patients to develop bad breath after a tonsillectomy. This is not a sign of infection. It is part of the body's normal healing process. The bad breath can last seven to fourteen days.
White Scabs in the Back of the Throat: This is part of the normal healing process after a tonsillectomy. It is not a sign of infection.
Activity: Limit physical activity for the first two weeks. Your child should work on fluid intake and getting better over the first week (little activity). Most children can return to school and resume normal activities after their post- operative evaluation by Dr. Bankaci. Remember however "Every body is different." The staff would be happy to provide excuses for time missed from school and/or work.
Follow-up: A post-operative check-up should be scheduled for TWO WEEKS after surgery.
If you have any further questions please contact Dr. Bankaci's office at 724-547-4575, 724-832-9688, or 724-863-5679.