Preparing for Your Tonsillectomy

Getting your tonsils removed can be a scary experience in your near future. I’ll be getting mine out in a few weeks, and I am definitely not looking forward to it at all. If this surgery is coming up for you, here’s what you’ll need to do to prepare.

There are many factors that your doctor will consider before doing a tonsillectomy. One of the most common reasons is the number of tonsillitis episodes or strep throats that you’ve had in the past year. Most doctors will want to see at least 4-6 episodes in one year before they go ahead and do surgery. You may have other issues that could be resolved by a tonsillectomy, such as sleep apnea. Only your doctor will be able to decide. Your surgery will be performed by an Otolaryngologist, or Ear, Nose, Throat doctor. This doctor specializes in the ears, noses and throats, including your tonsils. You’ll want to see one of these doctors for a consultation.

Once the doctor has decided to go the surgery route, he or she will explain what the surgery is all about, what you’ll need to do (and not do) before the surgery, and then both of you will sit down and schedule the surgery date. If all of this is too overwhelming for you, then you may want to think about it for a while and call the doctor back when you’re ready. Most times, surgery needs to be done within 30 days of the consultation. Next, you’ll be having some blood work done. They’ll be testing how your blood clots, because this is important for surgery.

As your surgery gets closer, you’ll need to remember a few things. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, since this can cause more bleeding after the surgery. If you need medicine for pain or fever, only take Tylenol. Also, get your prescriptions filled a few days before the surgery, so that you won’t have to worry about doing it while you’re in pain. The doctor will most likely be giving you 2 prescriptions; one for an antibiotic like liquid form amoxicillin (which tastes good) and another for a pain killer, like Tylenol with codeine or Percoset. The liquid form antibiotics are usually only good for 14 days, so don’t get this one filled too soon before surgery.

On the day of your surgery, remember not to eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes water, candy, gum, etc. Do not put anything into your mouth. This will probably be hard, especially if your appointment is later in the day. Do not take medications before the surgery, unless your doctor tells you to. No smoking or tobacco use before surgery either. The surgeon will operate on younger children first, then adults later on. Children are first priority for this surgery. Next, you must make arrangements for someone to drive you home from the surgery and stay with you for at least 24 hours. This time after surgery is the most important for someone to be there for you, especially because you’ll still be groggy from the anesthesia. If you don’t have somebody there with you, your surgery will be rescheduled.

Tell your doctor is there are any changes in your health before your surgery. If you’re sick with a cold or flu, make sure your doctor knows this. He or she may want to reschedule your surgery for another day when you are feeling better. Who wants to have a flu on top of the pain of just having your tonsils taken out? Not me, thanks.

When you go in for the surgery, do not wear make up, nail polish, jewelry, body piercings or fake nails. The surgeon wants the environment to be as germ-free as possible. You will be able to bring your glasses, dentures, retainers and hearing aids with you, however, you will most likely not need them during the actual surgery. You are allowed to wear deodorant, along with loose fitted clothing. You will most likely be asked to wear a hospital gown for the operating room.

After surgery, follow your doctor’s instructions for what to do and how to take care of your throat. It’s going to be painful, this is the part I’m looking forward to the least, but I know that the pain should only last a week or two, then I’ll be back to normal. Good luck to those of you who will be sharing this experience with me!