What To Expect From Having Tonsils Removed

How Patients Can Prepare

Tonsillectomies are rarely performed as emergency surgeries. If a patient has an antibiotic-resistant infection, though, they might not have much time to prepare. It's important to remove the tonsils before the infection spreads or otherwise becomes more serious. The good news is most patients will have a few weeks of preparation time before the surgery. Two weeks before surgery, patients will have to stop any anti-inflammatory medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen, ibuprofen, and acetylsalicylic acid. Because these drugs have anti-clotting factors, they can increase the chances of bleeding during or following the surgery. If patients take any vitamins, herbs, or other medications regularly, they must make sure they tell their doctor about them. On the day of the tonsillectomy, patients should fast after midnight, which means not drinking or eating anything, since an empty stomach will help reduce anesthetic-related nausea. Before the surgery, patients should also set up a plan for their at-home recovery. They'll need someone to drive them home from the hospital and help around the house for a few days. Most patients plan to take about a week off school or work.

Read about how the procedure works next.