A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the tonsils from the throat. While it’s a standard procedure, it’s important to understand the recovery process. Knowing what to expect when you undergo a tonsillectomy can help you plan your recovery and feel better faster.
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What happens immediately after a tonsillectomy?
Tonsillectomies are performed under a general anaesthetic, which means you will need to spend some time resting before you are allowed to go home. This time can vary between three and six hours, depending on the time of your surgery.
During your time in hospital, specialists will regularly check on you to ensure you are recovering after the anaesthetic and there are no complications from the surgery. They may also encourage you to try and eat something to speed up healing and encourage muscle function.
You will need to be collected from the hospital when it’s time to go home and will not be able to drive yourself. Someone should stay with you for 24 hours after your procedure as you may feel fatigued, have difficulty concentrating, or experience potential complications.
How long is tonsillectomy recovery?
Tonsillectomy recovery takes around two weeks. However, the exact time it takes to recover will depend on several factors, such as how well you look after your wound, your body’s natural healing ability, and whether there are complications. Typically, adults do not heal as quickly as children who have undergone a tonsillectomy.
What are the stages of tonsillectomy recovery?
Healing and side effects from a tonsillectomy can be split into several stages as you move through the recovery process.
The day you come home
Tonsillectomy patients often come home on the same day of their procedure, provided they are well enough to do so and have recovered well from the general anaesthetic. Most people feel tired and experience a sore throat in the first instance.
One to two days after your tonsillectomy
You can expect to feel pain in and around your throat during the first few days after your surgery. This is normal after having a tonsillectomy and can usually be managed with painkillers. You may also experience:
- Throat swelling
- A high temperature
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
- Trouble eating or drinking
- Difficulty speaking
Three to five days after your tonsillectomy
Days three and four after a tonsillectomy are usually when throat pain peaks for most patients. This is due to increased inflammation and scab formation, which is a sign that your body is healing. You may also continue to feel more tired than usual.
Five to seven days after your tonsillectomy
Towards the end of the first week following a tonsillectomy, your throat will still be sore but may feel less intense. Scabs will also start forming in your throat during this time.
You may experience minor bleeding as the scabs naturally begin to fall off. It’s important to be careful when eating during this stage so you don’t prematurely knock the scabs off.
A week to two weeks after your tonsillectomy
In the latter stages of your tonsillectomy recovery, you should be feeling much better. A sore throat might still be present, and you may also experience ear pain. This is normal due to the ears and throat sharing a nerve pathway.
By the end of the two-week recovery period, most patients are back to normal activities.
What can I eat after a tonsillectomy?
Following a tonsillectomy, you will be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and eat as normally as you can. Doing so will promote healing of the throat muscles and decrease the risk of infection or swelling. While you can eat most foods that don’t cause pain, some will impact your recovery time.
If you experience a very sore throat, cool, soft foods can help in the first instance. Dry foods like toast and crackers can improve recovery by keeping the throat clean and free from debris. Try to avoid spicy or acidic food as these can irritate the wound and delay the healing process.
Learn more about what you can eat after a tonsillectomy.
Can I speed up my healing time?
While healing time after a tonsillectomy varies between patients, there are some steps you can take to improve recovery and reduce the chance of complications.
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat cool, soft foods
- Introduce solid foods as pain allows
- Get plenty of rest
- Take pain relief regularly
- Avoid hot or acidic drinks
- Avoid spicy or acidic foods
- Avoid strenuous exercise
- Avoid smoking
- Maintain good oral hygiene
When to see a doctor
In most cases, tonsillectomy recovery is straightforward and doesn’t require a follow-up appointment. However, some complications could prompt a call or visit to your doctor. If you experience any of the following, you should call the number given to you in your discharge notes:
- Excessive bleeding
- Trouble breathing
- Increased pain and ineffective pain relief
- Nausea and vomiting
- Symptoms of dehydration
- A high temperature that doesn’t improve with medication
How to help a child recover from a tonsillectomy
If your child has undergone a tonsillectomy, they will likely experience similar side effects to adults. However, children are resilient and tend to recover quicker than adults. You can help your child by making their recovery a little more comfortable.
- Encourage rest and gentle activities
- Improve their intake of fluids
- Provide cool, soft foods like ice cream to ease throat pain
- Administer regular pain relief
- Avoid swimming or strenuous activities
- Monitor their temperature for signs of fever
A tonsillectomy can be a painful procedure to recover from, but in most cases, the recovery period only lasts for two weeks. If you would like more guidance on what to expect after a tonsillectomy, speak to an ENT specialist.
