A Ton of Useful Information About Tonsillectomy: During and After the Surgery

Part of the preparations for a tonsillectomy is getting reliable information about it. The more you know about it, the more confident you will feel of the outcome. Indeed, a tonsillectomy is a routine surgery with high success rate!

Your tonsillectomy journey, of course, starts with a series of consultations with your surgeon. You will be asked to undergo a series of physical and laboratory tests before your surgery is scheduled. Of course, be sure to turn up at the hospital on the scheduled day!

At the Operating Room

When you arrive at the hospital, you will be briefed about the procedure by the anesthesiologist and nursing staff. You will also be asked to change into a hospital gown – you will be completely naked underneath – and to lie down on a gurney. Afterwards, you will be taken into the operating room, transferred to the operating table and strapped down.

(The strapping down part is scary because you will be rendered immobile. When you think about being put under, your anxiety may increase. But trust the ENT doctors and nurses for their professional competence)

During the Operation

You will be asleep during the entirety of the tonsillectomy. But here’s a summary of what goes on while you’re sleeping on the table.

• The surgeon places a small tool in your mouth, said tool of which will keep your mouth open.
• The anesthesiologist and nurses monitor your vital signs, among other tasks.
• The surgeon removes your tonsils or the affected tonsil tissues by cutting, shaving or burning them.

There will be no stitches made on the area operated on because the wounds will heal naturally. The entire procedure can last between 20 and 30 minutes but it may also last for 60 minutes.

After the Operation

You will be still asleep when you’re transferred to the recovery area. You will wake up disoriented from the anesthesia, perhaps even vomit black bile and feel dizzy. You will be asked to stay flat until such time that the anesthesia wears off.

While a tonsillectomy can be a one-day procedure, don’t expect to be sent home a few hours after the surgery. You will be under observation for several hours during which time the surgeon and nurses will regularly check on your condition.

Just like any surgery, the recovery period can be challenging. You may have to take time off work for one to two weeks depending on your progress. You will also feel pain and discomfort in your throat, especially when eating food and drinking fluids.

Your diet for the first few days will include soft foods like ice cream, gelatin and pudding as well as plenty of water and fruit juices. Your transition to a solid food diet should be gradual so as not to further irritate the surgery area.

After a few weeks, you will feel better! You may even thank your ENT doctor because without oft-infected tonsils, you can now breathe easier.

For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult HK ENT specialist (the professional ENT clinic centre).

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,

Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services

https://www.hkentspecialist.hk