Tonsillectomy

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed. This procedure is typically performed to remedy frequent or severe tonsillitis or sleep apnea.  The surgeons at Northeast Georgia ENT use the Coblation system to remove tonsils.  A physician may also recommend an adenoidectomy, this tissue behind the nose is also present. This cleanly and efficiently removes the tonsils and adenoids causing less trauma to the surrounding tissue, thus, reducing pain after surgery considerably.

Tonsillectomy Recovery

Typically, patients are able to go home the day of the surgery. Patients often experience pain in the throat, ears, jaw or neck after surgery. Throughout your recovery, be sure to take the recommended medications prescribed by your doctor. Drink plenty of water and eat easy-to-swallow foods for the first few days after surgery. Avoid spicy, hot or coarse foods. Eating popsicles can sooth pain and provide fluids.

You will be able to walk around the day after surgery, but do not take part in any vigorous activity and get plenty of bed rest. Once you no longer require pain medication and can return to a normal diet, you will likely be able to return to work. This may take 1-2 weeks.

Tonsillectomy Complications

Risks of a tonsillectomy include:

• Dehydration
• Bleeding during or after surgery
• Infection
• Risks associated with anesthesia

Complications from a tonsillectomy are rare. When they do occur, they may increase recovery time and hospital stay. At Northeast Georgia ENT, all of our physicians perform the tonsillectomy procedure with the coblation surgical scalpel. This device is considered to be the gold standard in instrumentation because of its superiority in speed, safety and pain control. By reducing the pain, we are able to minimize the recovery period.

Questions?

To learn if you need a tonsillectomy or to ask questions regarding the procedure, contact us today.