What to Expect After Your Child Has a Tonsillectomy

Below are some things to expect after your child has a tonsillectomy. This information is based on the experience I had after having a tonsillectomy.

What to expect after your child has a tonsillectomy: The first couple days

When I awoke from the procedure all I remember is the extreme pain in my throat. I didn't want to swallow and I refused to eat or drink anything. My mom bought my favorite ice cream flavors, soups, Popsicles, and drinks but it hurt so bad to swallow it. I put up quite a fight when she attempted to get me to eat or drink.

Don't be surprised if your child does the same. Be patient if they eat very slowly. After having my tonsils removed I couldn't eat very fast. I had to allow time in between swallows for the pain to go away. One thing that seemed to help was to sip soup and drinks through a straw.

Don't let your child drink soda during this time. The carbonation is extremely irritating.

What to expect after your child has a tonsillectomy: Tired and grumpy

After my tonsillectomy I had no energy. I stayed in bed all day and the sore throat I had made me extremely irritable and grumpy. My nephew also had a tonsillectomy when he was a baby, and I can remember him screaming and crying, throwing his bottle, and knocking his food off of his high chair.

What to expect after your child has a tonsillectomy: Bleeding

After having a tonsillectomy the area where the tonsils were removed will begin to scab. If the scabs are removed by eating food that's too hot, or foods that are too thick there might be bleeding.

Spitting up some blood is normal. However, if the bleeding is excessive and doesn't stop you should contact your doctor immediately.

What to expect after your child has a tonsillectomy: Day four

By day four your child should start to feel better. Their throat will not be as sore and they'll feel more like eating and drinking, in fact they may want to eat and drink a lot in order to make up for the lack of it when they were feeling bad. It's not a good idea to move onto solid foods yet. Stick with soups, soft and liquid foods.

Your child may feel like getting up and playing now. It's OK to let them play, but probably not a good idea to let them outside or allow them to run around and get too rough. Try to provide activities for them that will keep them entertained but not too active.

What to expect after your child has a tonsillectomy: A week later

A week after having my tonsils removed I was feeling much better. I was able to get up and play, and eat thicker foods. After two weeks I was back to normal. Your child's doctor should let you know what activities and foods are ok for your child at this point.