Tonsillectomy, Post-Op Bleeding

You have had surgery to remove your tonsils. Bleeding at the surgery site can happen after surgery. The healthcare provider can often control it using direct pressure or applying medicine to shrink the blood vessels. If this fails you will need to return to the operating room for further treatment. Notify your healthcare provider at once or return to this hospital if there are signs of any further bleeding.

Home Care

• Your throat will be sore. Throat pain after surgery improves over the first 3-5 days. It is normal to have more pain at the end of the first week before it finally goes away.

• Soft foods will be easier to swallow.

• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. 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. You may also use liquid acetaminophen. Don't take Motrin (ibuprofen) or aspirin. These may increase bleeding risk. If your healthcare provider has prescribed pain medicine, take this as directed. 

• If antibiotics were prescribed, take these as directed until they are gone.

• Do not overheat your home since this dries the air and may irritate throat tissues, especially at night. A cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom may help.

• Do not have contact with people with colds or the flu during the recovery period. You may be more likely to get ill during this time.

• Smoking irritates the surgery site. If you smoke, this is a good time to stop.

• Do not do heavy exercise, lifting, or straining for the next 10 days.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider or this facility as advised.