Tonsillectomy, Post-Op Bleeding

Home care

Keep following the instructions you were given after your tonsillectomy. Here are some other tips:

• Continue eating soft foods that are easier to swallow.

• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Fluids also help ease pain by keeping the area moist. You must continue to drink even though your throat hurts.

• For pain relief, suck on ice cubes or frozen fruit pops, eat ice cream or sherbet, and drink cold liquids.

• If your doctor has prescribed pain medicine, take it as directed. You may also use liquid acetaminophen if you have stopped taking prescription pain medicine. Don't take ibuprofen or aspirin, unless your doctor says it's OK. These may increase bleeding risk.

• If you have sleep apnea, talk with your doctor before taking any opioid medicines or medicine with codeine.

• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

• A cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom may help keep your throat moist. Follow the instructions to keep it clean.

• Smoking irritates the surgery site. If you smoke, this is a good time to stop. Talk with your doctor about help with quitting.

• Don't do heavy exercise, lifting, or straining for 2 weeks, or as directed by your doctor.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your doctor as advised.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your doctor right away if:

• You continue to have nausea and vomiting.

• You have a cough that won't go away.

• You have some bleeding from the mouth.

• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38.3ºC) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.

• You have increasing pain that's not controlled by pain medicines.

• You have signs of dehydration, such as very dark urine, less urine, or a dry mouth.

Call 911

Call 911 if:

• You have trouble speaking, swallowing, or breathing.

• You have a lot of bleeding from the mouth.

• You have lightheadedness or weakness.