The pain was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) on a scale of 0–10, with 0 representing no pain at all and 10 worst possible pain. Postoperative pain was consider mild if EVA ranges between 0.00 and 2.99; moderate when ranges between 3.00 and 6.99, and severe pain when it was greater than 7.00.
Day 10 or more post-surgery
Most people will begin to feel much better at this point. The pain will continue to fade. Children can go back to school, and adults can return to work once they: begin eating their regular diet again.
The amount of discomfort usually lessens, then may increase again around day 7-9 after surgery, as some of the whitish tissue covering the tonsillectomy site falls off. After this, there is generally steady improvement with less discomfort.
Your child may have a sore throat, neck and/or ear pain for 2-3 weeks after surgery. 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.
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.
It is normal. Your pain after surgery may come and go. It may be worse on the first or second 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.
Cold drinks (like apple juice, ice water, or soda) may make you feel better as they cool your injured throat. Warm drinks (like tea or coffee), on the other hand, may provide you with a soothing sensation that you'll like after surgery.
Ongoing cough for several days post-op may occur due to swelling in the surgical site and post-nasal drip due to increase secretions. Before starting any over-the-counter cough remedies, please contact our Nurse Line at 412-692-5460 option 4. How much should my child eat or drink after his or her tonsillectomy?
Tonsillectomy is a surgery that causes a mild or moderate pain in most cases, although few patients complain of severe pain.
Tonsillectomy Throat Scabs
About 5 to 10 days after your surgery the scab will come off. Some people notice when their scab comes off and others do not. If you notice your scab coming off it may alarm you. Please know that there is nothing wrong when this happens and it is not cause for alarm.
Sore throat is the most common complaint after surgery. This may last for 7 to 10 days. For some children, the sore throat gets worse 5 to 8 days after surgery.
You may experience an increase in pain around day 4 or 5 after your tonsillectomy. This can be psychologically difficult because you think that you should be feeling better by this time, and actually you may feel a little worse.
The 4th or 5th day after the surgery is a common time for the pain to get temporarily worse. Signs of pain in younger children may be crying more often, or refusal to eat or drink.
Pain is often worse at night and may prompt the need for more pain medication. A single dose of Tylenol or Motrin in the middle of the night the day of the procedure can help significantly to reduce pain the morning after surgery.
We also advise against using straws or sippy cups that require strong suction in the days after a tonsillectomy. This is because, theoretically, the suction from drinking through these could pull the scabs off your throat prematurely.
You can brush your teeth after the first night. You may have bad smelling breath as you heal. Avoid mouthwash for 1 week. You may gargle gently with a solution made of 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 250 ml (1 cup) of water.
The important thing is to have your child swallow liquids. Whatever works is the best thing to give. Milk products may increase mucus secretions but if the child will only drink a milk shake and eat ice cream then it is OK to give them.
The surgeon will place a small tool into your child's mouth to hold it open. The surgeon then cuts, burns, or shaves away the tonsils. The wounds heal naturally without stitches.
People may experience small flecks of blood in the nose or saliva after a tonsillectomy, but any bleeding greater than this requires medical attention. If people experience any amount of bright red bleeding from the tonsils after a tonsillectomy, they should contact a doctor or go to the emergency room straight away.
Your throat is likely to be sore for up to two weeks after your operation, though you should still be able to talk. The first week may be the most painful – this is normal. You may also get earache because the nerve that supplies your throat also supplies your ear.
Postoperative Instructions for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy. Activity Level: Light activity and adequate rest are recommended for the first few days. Sleeping with the head elevated 30 to 45 degrees or in a recliner for 3-4 days will reduce the swelling in the throat.
You should rest at home for the first 48 hours. Activity may increase as strength returns. Generally, you may return to work approximately 10 days following a tonsillectomy, and about 3 days after an adenoidectomy. You should avoid vigorous activity for 14 days after surgery.