HealthInfo Canterbury
Tonsillectomy
Your tonsils are areas of lymph tissue at the back of your mouth that help you to fight infection. When they get infected this is known as tonsillitis.
You can manage without tonsils because everyone has other lymph tissue that does the same job. If you or your child get repeated bouts of tonsillitis that lead to a lot of time off work or school, you may need to have your tonsils removed in an operation called a tonsillectomy.
You may be able to get a publicly funded tonsillectomy if you have had
- more than six bouts of tonsillitis in the past year
- four or five bouts in each of the past two years
- or three bouts a year in the past three years.
Having your tonsils out is a short operation. It usually takes less than an hour. You or your child are likely to go home on the same day as the surgery, but you may need to stay the night.
After having your tonsils out
It's common to have a sore throat after your tonsils are taken out. Taking regular pain relief such as paracetamol can help, but make sure you follow your doctor's instructions on how much to take. This is particularly important for children. Don't take aspirin as this can make you bleed more. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, make sure you take them all and don't have any left over.
Straight after your operation you may have a few specks of blood in your mouth, which is normal. However, if you have any more bleeding you should see a doctor quickly. If you get heavy bleeding after you have gone home, go straight to your GP or emergency department.
You might also vomit dark red (old) blood once or twice in the first day. You don't need to worry about this. But if it happens more often, make sure you see a doctor.
You might also get an earache. This is usually caused by your sore throat, and usually doesn't mean you have an ear infection. But if you get a high temperature, you need to see your doctor.
Eating and drinking after having your tonsils out
Try to start eating normally as soon as you can after you have had your tonsils out. It can help if you take paracetamol 30 minutes before you eat something. Also make sure you drink enough, especially if you are not eating much. Sucking on ice cubes can help make sure you get enough water, and help to soothe your throat.
Recovery after having your tonsils out
After having your tonsils out you may need up to two weeks off school or work while your throat gets better. Get plenty of rest and try to avoid any heavy exercise.
You might also see a white coating on the back of your throat. This usually goes away by itself in one to two weeks. Any stitches at the back of your throat could take up to two months to disappear.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- KidsHealth – Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy
The risks and benefits of a tonsillectomy, and what to expect after surgery.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created May 2020.
Review key: HISTT-17240
