Drinking fluids is the key to a fast recovery Try cool fluids first such as water, cordial, ice blocks, and non-acidic fruit juices (ie apple juice) and soft drinks (let them stand to de-fizz first). Milk drinks can be consumed once your child can toler- ate clear fluids.
Suggested liquids: Apple juice, grape juice, Hi-C, Gator Aid, sodas (you may want to let the “fizz” out first), popsicles, sherbet, apple sauce, Jell-O, pudding. Not Recommended: Solids, orange juice (any citric drink), spicy foods. These are only guides. The important thing is to have your child swallow liquids.
Ice is one of the best things to have during a tonsillectomy recovery. Ice keeps the incision site moist during recovery and this is very important for speedy healing. The cold temperature of ice also helps to numb pain and reduce swelling.
Avoid citrus: Food and drinks with high citric acid levels, such as tomato juice and lemonade, can sting and cause pain. Avoid very hot things: Don't try to swallow hot beverages or soups. Eat soft foods: Steer clear of foods with hard or sharp edges, which can scratch and irritate a sore throat.
Hydrate: the cooler the better. The more cold liquids your child drinks after surgery, the better their throat will feel and the more they will stay hydrated. We recommend milk, juice, water, or Gatorade until their throat is fully healed. Hot liquids can worsen the throat swelling and pain.
Instead, make sure regular and adequate pain medication is administered to facilitate swallowing, and encourage swallowing of whatever saliva is built up in the throat. Taking frequent small sips of liquids will also help clear the mucous sensation.
Honey has effectiveness accelerates and facilitates wound healing. Gargling with honey led to reduced pain following tonsillectomy. Honey was found to lower prostaglandin levels and elevate nitric oxide. Honey can be used as an adjunctive regimen after surgery for better pain control.
Throat pain builds up for the first few days and is usually at its the worst around the fifth day after surgery. Pain and discomfort will usually then ease until the seventh or ninth day after surgery when some of the scab covering the tonsillectomy site falls off. After this there is a steady reduction in pain.
Soft foods such as creamed potatoes, milk toast, eggs, cooked cereals, such as Cream of Wheat and oatmeal, grits, marshmallows, applesauce, bananas, Jello, and soft vegetables may be taken the day after surgery. Melons and peaches in season are fine.
Some patients find that small sips of ginger ale or a cola drink may help to relieve nausea. Small portions of bananas, applesauce, moistened graham crackers or soda crackers may be helpful prior to taking medications. You may wish to avoid acidic products such as orange juice.
THROAT PAIN is normal for 21 days after the surgery. The pain is usually tolerable in the first 3 days and then worsens to a crescendo around day 6 to 9 after the operation. Once this peak is reached then the pain gradually decreases daily until you can comfortably eat around day 14 after the operation.
Most people find that they have the most pain in the first 8 days. You probably will feel tired for 1 to 2 weeks. You may have bad breath for up to 2 weeks. You may be able to go back to work or your usual routine in 1 to 2 weeks.
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy. Are cold-like symptoms after a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy (such as a cough and congestion) normal? Yes. Cold and congestion symptoms are normal due to recovering from anesthesia/intubation as well as increased production of secretions when recovering from surgery.
Drinking fluids is the key to a fast recovery
Try cool fluids first such as water, cordial, ice blocks, and non-acidic fruit juices (ie apple juice) and soft drinks (let them stand to de-fizz first). Milk drinks can be consumed once your child can toler- ate clear fluids.
The following beverages are not clear liquids and should not be given after midnight the day before your child's surgery: Orange juice. Banana juice. Pineapple juice.
Dehydration is one of the most common things that can happen after surgery. You should have some type of liquid such as Gatorade, popsicles, water ice, ice cream, etc at your side constantly. Sipping on these liquids will allow you maintain adequate hydration.
Citrus: Acidic foods might sting a little bit when swallowing. This includes citrus fruits and juices, like orange juice. Spicy foods: It's best to avoid foods that can cause some discomfort even on a good day. But as the throat heals , you may be more sensitive to spice than normal.
Within 1-2 days, add cold and soothing foods (ices, ice-cream, frozen yogurt, Jell-O). As you feel better, add soft bland items that are easy to chew and swallow (pasta, puddings, mashed potatoes, tuna or chicken salad, macaroni and cheese). Avoid foods that are sharp, hot, or spicy.
The pain may be the worst for 3-4 days after surgery. One to two weeks after surgery, pain may worsen because the scabs are falling off. It is important to control your child's pain after surgery. This helps your child drink and eat.
Your child may have bad breath, “stuffy nose” and drainage for 7 to 10 days after surgery. This is normal and will go away as he or she heals. Your child may have ear pain up to a week after surgery and it may be worse at night. This is normal and is coming from the tonsil area.
Turning on a humidifier at bedtime may lessen throat dryness caused by mouth breathing. Avoid over-the-counter mouthwashes (Cepacol, Scope, Listerine, etc.), as they tend to dry the throat and cause discomfort. There should be NO bleeding from the nose or mouth.
Stick to soft, easy-to-swallow foods, such as applesauce, custard, yogurt, creamy breakfast cereals (oatmeal, Malt-o-Meal), pudding, soup, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, refried beans, and pureed fruits.
Diet: Start with a clear liquid diet (Water; Juices-apple and grape, not orange, grapefruit, or lemonade; Sports Drinks – 10-K, Gatorade, Powerade; 7-UP or Sprite; Popsicles, or Jell-O) to prevent nausea and/or vomiting. All drinks and foods should be lukewarm or cool, not hot.
The scabs usually fall off in small pieces. There may also be a small amount of bleeding. Most people swallow the scabs, often without realizing. Recovery from a tonsillectomy can take 10–14 days.