Your doctor may notice that your throat is red and your tonsils are covered in a whitish or yellow coating. Sometimes, the swelling can go away on its own. In other cases, antibiotics or a tonsillectomy might be necessary. A tonsillectomy can also be a treatment for breathing problems, like heavy snoring and sleep apnea. Tonsillitis and the need for tonsillectomies are more common in children than adults. However, people of any age can experience trouble with their tonsils and require surgery.
One case of tonsillitis is not enough to warrant a tonsillectomy. Usually, the surgery is a treatment option for those who are often sick with tonsillitis or strep throat. You will need to stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines two weeks before your surgery. This type of medication includes aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Drugs of this kind can increase your risk of bleeding during and after your surgery. An empty stomach reduces the risk of feeling nauseous from the anesthetic. Be sure to plan for your at-home recovery. Someone will need to drive you home and help you for the first couple of days following your tonsillectomy.
Most people stay home from work or school for about a week following surgery. There are several different ways to remove tonsils. Another common method for tonsillectomy involves burning away the tissues through a process called cauterization.
Ultrasonic vibration using sound waves is also used in some tonsillectomy procedures. Tonsillectomies usually take about a half hour. Medical staff will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate as you wake up. Most people can go home the same day after a successful tonsillectomy. A tonsillectomy is a very common, routine procedure.
However, like with other surgeries, there are some risks with this procedure. These can include:. Patients can experience some pain as they recover from a tonsillectomy. Stuffy or runny nose. The indications for tonsillectomy in adults are the same as in children, but tonsillitis is less common in the adult population because as children grow, their tonsils typically shrink and infection becomes less common.
Swollen tonsils and adenoids are a major cause of sleep apnea in children, a condition that causes abnormal pauses in breathing during sleep. Ingley says removal of the tonsils for sleep apnea is more common in children ages 3 to 8, which often improves their sleep, behavior and quality of life. Adults with enlarged tonsils may feel sluggish and chronically tired due to interrupted sleep. Adults who suffer from chronic sore throat and related sleep apnea can benefit from tonsillectomy.
However, the recovery can be longer compared to that of a child. Ingley notes. It is important for every patient to discuss their options with their physician. If you experience frequent sore throat , talk to your doctor. Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician? Save time, book online. Many teens go home the same day, though some may stay overnight. Depending on the type of surgery done, recovery after a tonsillectomy may take a week or longer.
Expect some pain and discomfort after the tonsils are removed, which can make it hard to eat and drink. Some people might get dehydrated from not drinking enough when they go home, and may need to come back to the hospital for fluids.
Rarely, bleeding might happen during the surgery, right after it, or up to 2 weeks later. Call the doctor right away if you cough up, throw up, or spit out bright red blood or blood clots.
Doctors might need to do another procedure to stop the bleeding. Rest at home for a few days following surgery and take it easy for a couple of weeks. You can return to school when you can eat normally, are sleeping well, and don't need pain medicine. Get plenty to drink, and eat soft foods like pudding, soup, gelatin, or mashed potatoes until you're ready for solid foods.
Call the doctor right away if you vomit blood or something that looks like coffee grounds, or have trouble breathing. After tonsillectomy, you can still get colds , sore throats, and throat infections. But you won't get tonsillitis unless the tonsils grow back, which is uncommon. Even though the tonsils are part of the immune system, removing them doesn't affect your body's ability to fight infections.
The immune system has many other ways to fight germs. Reviewed by: Patrick C. Barth, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.
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