Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of your tonsils. It’s done to treat sleep-related breathing issues or frequent infections. While surgeons perform tonsillectomies less often than they used to, the procedure is still common today. Tonsillectomy recovery takes up to
Surgeons use many methods to perform tonsillectomies, including:
Electrocautery: This method uses heat to remove the tonsils and stop any bleeding.
Cold knife (steel) dissection: A surgeon uses a scalpel (traditional surgical knife) to remove your tonsils. Then, they’ll stop the bleeding with electrocautery (extreme heat) or sutures.
Snare tonsillectomy: A surgeon uses a special surgical instrument called a snare, which has a thin wire loop at the end. Once your surgeon frees your tonsil, they’ll place this device around it to clamp it off. This helps reduce bleeding.
Harmonic scalpel: This method uses ultrasonic vibrations to remove your tonsils and stop bleeding at the same time.
Other methods include the use of radiofrequency ablation techniques, carbon dioxide lasers, and/or a microdebrider (which uses a combination of suction and cutting).
How long does a tonsillectomy take?
In most cases, a tonsillectomy takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. It could take longer in some instances.
What happens after a tonsillectomy?
After your tonsillectomy, your medical team will transfer you to a recovery area. There, your provider will check your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen levels) and make sure there are no postoperative complications.
Tonsillectomy is usually an outpatient procedure. This means you can go home on the same day. Complications are rare, but if they arise, your provider might keep you in the hospital overnight to monitor your progress.
What are the advantages of a tonsillectomy?
Having a tonsillectomy can offer many benefits, including:
Better sleep quality.
Fewer infections.
Improved quality of life.
What are the risks of having a tonsillectomy?
While complications are rare, they can happen. Some possible risks include:
Infection.
Excessive bleeding (either during or after tonsillectomy).
Swelling of your tongue or the roof of your mouth.
Reaction to anesthesia.
Post-surgical bleeding.
RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK
What’s the tonsillectomy recovery time?
On average, most people reach full recovery in about two weeks. Overall recovery time depends on several factors, including the type of tonsillectomy you had, your body’s healing capacity and whether you experienced any complications.
Tonsillectomy recovery stages
While healing looks a little different for everyone, here’s a general timeline of what to expect during tonsillectomy recovery:
One to two days after tonsillectomy
Throat pain.
Low-grade fever.
Fatigue.
Bad breath.
Difficulty speaking/hoarseness.
Feeling of fullness in your throat (due to swelling).
Three to five days after tonsillectomy
Continued sore throat, which may worsen around day three or four.
Fatigue.
Five to 10 days after tonsillectomy
Scabbing.
Mild bleeding, which occurs when the scabs eventually fall off.
What can I eat after a tonsillectomy?
Drinking plenty of fluids is key to a successful tonsillectomy recovery. In addition, you’ll probably want to eat soft, cool foods for the first week. You can introduce solid foods once your comfort level allows, but you should avoid hard and spicy foods, as they can irritate the surgical area.
Food and drink recommendations during tonsillectomy recovery include:
Water, tea and juice.
Ice cream.
Smoothies.
Yogurt.
Pudding.
Applesauce.
Broth.
Mashed potatoes.
Scrambled eggs.