Preparing in advance for a smooth recovery will help you to recover after tonsillectomy surgery. A tonsillectomy is one of the more painful surgeries with a recovery process that can take a week or two. So its better to manage your recovery proactively, rather than try to downplay the pain of recovery associated with this surgery.
When tonsils become infected or inflamed, they must be removed; however, many patients find the pain of recovery to be uncomfortable. There are some helpful tips, however, that can help ease pain and speed recovery time. If you’ve just gone through a tonsillectomy, here are five tips for a smooth recovery.
Tips for Tonsillectomy Recovery
1. Enlist the Help of a Friend or Family Member
First, it’s very important to enlist the help of a friend or family member during your recovery period. The combination of intense pain and numbing pain medications will likely render you incapacitated for the first few days after surgery. An acting nurse can help keep your ice cup full, keep you comfortable and ensure that you have what you need to recover.
2. Chew Ice Constantly
Ice is one of the best things to have during a tonsillectomy recovery. Ice keeps the incision site moist during recovery and this is very important for speedy healing. The cold temperature of ice also helps to numb pain and reduce swelling. Because a swelling uvula can be a dangerous side effect of a tonsillectomy, chewing ice is an absolute necessity. Keep a cup filled with ice chips on hand at all times.
3. Ice Cream!
Eating ice cream is one of the most reliable ways to help you during a tonsillectomy recovery. While many people feel absolutely incapable of eating food after surgery, keeping energy levels high is an important part of the recovery period. Choose foods that are soft and creamy such as yogurt and ice cream, or consume nutrient-rich broths and sugary beverages for energy.
4. Create a Pain Medication Schedule
The biggest mistake that one can make during a tonsillectomy recovery is to skip a dose of pain medication. To prevent this from happening, it’s a good idea to create a pain medication schedule. This will help you keep on top of your medication and prevent pain from spiralling out of control.
5. Gather Entertainment for the Recovery
The tonsillectomy recovery process is lengthy and frustrating, so be sure to have some entertainment laid by for the recovery period. Video games, movies, great books, soothing music and puzzles are great ways to keep your mind off the pain.
Tonsillectomies can pose a difficult recovery for patients, but the pain will pass faster with the right management. These helpful tips can get you through the worst of the recovery period.
If you have questions about snoring, tonsillitis or tonsillectomy, contact your local doctor who will arrange for you to see an ear nose and throat surgeon.