Tonsillectomy is usually recommended in cases of chronic or recurrent inflammation, or when medical treatments are ineffective. Although this surgery is more common in children, it can be performed at any age to address tonsil-related complications. Tonsil removal is one of the common procedures in the field of ear, nose, and throat, but careful adherence to post-operative care is the key to a complication-free and faster recovery period.

After a tonsillectomy, the patient is usually admitted to the hospital for one night to monitor general condition, pain, and the possibility of bleeding. After discharge, careful adherence to medical instructions plays a crucial role in reducing complications and speeding up recovery.

• On the first day, consume only cold, clear liquids without pulp (such as apple juice, peach juice) and vanilla ice cream.

• From the second day, gradually add smooth and cooled foods like porridge, rice pudding, and fully blended soup to your diet.

• For up to 10 days, strictly avoid hot, hard, and dry foods (such as baguette, crispy rice, chips).

• Avoid acidic juices (orange, mango, pineapple, kiwi) and red-colored juices (sour cherry).

• Do not consume chocolate ice cream, as it may irritate the throat.

• Insufficient fluid intake during the first week can lead to fever; drinking cool water should be taken seriously.

• For pain relief, use only acetaminophen syrup; taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs is prohibited due to the risk of bleeding.

• Children’s dose: 5 ml of syrup every 6 hours per 10 kg of body weight (e.g., a 20 kg child: 10 ml).

• Adult dose: 20 ml of syrup every 6 hours (if pain is severe, it may be taken every 4 hours).

• Take the prescribed antibiotic syrup (cephalexin or amoxicillin) as directed by your doctor for 7 to 10 days.

• Ear pain during the first week is due to referred pain from the tonsils and is normal; this does not indicate an ear infection.

• Brushing your teeth is allowed, but do not use toothpaste for 10 days, as it may irritate the throat.

• Brush carefully to avoid damaging the sensitive surgical area.

• Showering and bathing are prohibited during the first week after tonsil surgery.

• Avoid heavy exercise, swimming, and cycling completely for up to three weeks.

• If you notice any unusual symptoms or bleeding, contact your doctor immediately.

• The appearance of white discharge at the tonsil site is a sign of wound healing and should not be mistaken for an infection.

• Nasal discharge and changes in voice during the first weeks are temporary and will gradually resolve.

• Snoring at night in the first days is normal due to swelling of the throat tissues and will improve over time.

• If mouth breathing persists in children, you may gently lift the lower jaw to close the child’s mouth and help correct this habit.

• The patient is usually admitted to the hospital for one night to monitor general condition and the possibility of bleeding.