WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE Pain upon swallowing

SURGERY? USE THE 0-TO-10 PAIN SCALE

Do not take aspirin, Ibuprofen or prescription PAIN MANAGEMENT
drugs like Mortin for at at least 2 weeks before Drink pain relievers as prescribed
surgery
Diversional activities (especially for children)
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight Applying an ice pack on the front of the neck
the night before surgery for 20 min every hour for the first 24 hrs. after
the surgery
You can take a bath in the morning or Use a vaporizer or humidifier.
evening before your surgery Chewing GUM?- relieves ear pain
Keep all your valuables (jewelries, Drink small sips of fluids to keep the throat
moist
charms, money, etc.) to your most trusted
person, a family member, or spouse.
ALTERNATIVES:
Make sure to remove all cosmetics (eg.
Make-up, nail polish, etc.) Placing a cloth over your head with a
bowl of hot water place in as well
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER
SURGERY Have a warm bath

1. Moderate to severe throat pain Vapor Rubs

that lasts for 5-10 days post-surgery
Pain is fluctuant and typically increases at about
four to five days after initial improvement 2.Fever up to 38.7 within the first 24-48
Pain can usually be worse early in the morning or
hours after surgery
in the evening
Ear pain
If the fever persists formore than 2 days,
or if a higher fever develops, call your
doctor
This can indicate an infection or a lack of fluid
intake
What to do:
Drink prescribed medicine to reduce fever
Drink more fluids (1,500-2,000 ml)
Remove excessive clothing
Take a bath (if you can) with slightly
lukewarm water
Turn the fan on (not too cold though) or
open some windows
3. Bad breath is normal and will get better as
time passes
What can I do?
Gently brush your teeth (if tolerated)
Gurgling non-alcoholic mouthwash or using
prescribed oral rises to wash out dead
tissue
Drink a lot of fluids
4. A suspicious with patch. Its a scab.
A yellow-white patch will be present for several
days where the tonsils were
THIS IS NORMAL!
Most scabs fall off in small pieces. After the first
week, the patches will come off and a little
bleeding may occur
5. Bleeding: most episodes are self-limiting
and minimal
***Bright red bleeding which lasts more
than a couple of minutes, is not normal, go to the
emergency room or call your doctor
FOOD IS THE BEST MEDICINE
Immediately following a tonsillectomy, your diet
should consist primarily of clear liquids.
Clear fluids are not only easier and can
soothe a sore throat, they also help coat the
stomach and decrease nausea. Drinking cold or
room temperature clear fluids would be
best
Clear liquids: Make sure not to add a lot of spices to
these foods, because certain spices may
Water (1,500-2,000ml) irritate the lining of your throat and
Apple juice cause additional throat PAIN

Gatorade
Stay away from spicy, crunchy or rough
Popsicles
foods such as corn chips and popcorn.
Avoid: Continue the soft diet for 1 to 2
Citric juices weeks, after which you can slowly move on
to your normal diet.
Carbonated drinks
they may irritate sensitive throat tissue
and increase pain
Once you are able to tolerate liquids, you
should be able to safely consume bland,
soft foods.
-scrambled eggs
-porridge (lugao)
-mashed potatoes
-macaroni
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