Do you or your child often suffer from a sore throat or swollen tonsils? Because of this, you must have suffered for many days without being able to go to school or the office, right? Sometimes the doctor may have told you, "Let's have an operation to remove the tonsils." So many people are a little afraid of this operation. So today we will talk very simply about the operation to remove the tonsils, that is, 'tonsillectomy'.
What is Tonsillectomy?
Simply put, a tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure that removes your tonsils. If you open your mouth, you'll see two small, fleshy lumps on either side of your throat. Everyone usually has two of these.
Most often, this surgery involves removing both tonsils completely, but some people may need surgery to remove only part of the tonsils.
Why do you have a tonsillectomy?
Doctors recommend this surgery for two main reasons.
1. For breathing problems during sleep: Some people, especially young children, have enlarged tonsils that can block their airways during sleep. This condition is also called sleep apnea . This causes them to snore loudly, suffocate, and wake up during sleep. The best treatment for this is to remove the tonsils.
2. Frequent or chronic tonsillitis: If you have tonsillitis several times a year, get a fever, and have to take medicine, this surgery is also done to get rid of it. Since frequent infections like this cause a lot of distress, removing the tonsils can reduce that risk.
Although this surgery is mostly performed on children, there are times when adults also have to have their tonsils removed for these reasons.
What happens before the surgery?
Before you undergo surgery, your doctor will carefully examine your health to make sure you are fit for surgery. He or she may also order several blood tests .
In addition, your doctor will give you a set of instructions to follow starting the day before your surgery. For example, you should refrain from eating or drinking (fasting) for a few hours before your surgery. It is very important to follow these instructions exactly.
What happens during the surgery?
You will be given general anesthesia , which will keep you asleep throughout the surgery without any pain. After that, the surgeon will remove your tonsils. So you won't feel anything.
Doctors use various methods to perform this surgery.
- Electrocautery: This method uses heat to remove the tonsils and stop bleeding.
- Cold knife dissection: Here, the surgeon uses a scalpel to cut and remove the tonsils. Heat or stitches are applied to stop the bleeding.
- Harmonic scalpel: This method uses ultrasonic vibrations generated by a high-tech device to remove the tonsils while also controlling bleeding.
In addition to these methods, other methods such as radiofrequency and carbon dioxide lasers are also used. Your doctor will determine the method that is most suitable for you.
This surgery usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
What happens after the surgery?
After surgery, the medical team will move you to a recovery area, where they will monitor things like your blood pressure and heart rate.
In most cases, this is a same-day surgery. However, in rare cases, if there are complications, you may be kept in the hospital overnight for observation.
How long will it take to recover? What should I expect during this time?
It usually takes about two weeks to fully recover. However, this time can vary slightly from person to person. Let's take a look at how the recovery time is.
| Time | Things to expect |
|---|---|
| First 1-2 days | Sore throat, fatigue, change in voice, bad breath, and a feeling of something stuck in the throat. |
| 3-5 days | Sore throat persists (pain may increase slightly on the third or fourth day). Fatigue. |
| 5-10 days | As the wound heals, scabs form. It is normal for a few tiny drops of blood to come out as these scabs fall off. |
What should I eat and drink after the operation?
It is very important to drink plenty of water and fluids during the healing process. It is also advisable to eat cool, soft foods for the first week. As the pain subsides, you can gradually return to regular solid foods. However, avoid spicy, hard, and rough foods, as they can further irritate the wound.
- Water, tea, fruit juice
- Ice cream, yogurt, pudding, jelly
- Smoothies
- Light soups (broth)
- Mashed potatoes
- Scrambled eggs
In what situation do you need to see a doctor urgently?
If you experience any of the following symptoms after surgery, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
| Warning signs to look out for | |
|---|---|
| Excessive bleeding | If you are bleeding bright red from your mouth, go to a hospital immediately. |
| Difficulty breathing | If you have difficulty breathing, it is an emergency. Go to the ETU immediately. |
| Pain that persists beyond 5 days | If you have pain that is increasing day by day and cannot be controlled even with painkillers, inform your doctor . |
| Vomiting and nausea | If you are vomiting continuously and cannot drink anything. |
| Dehydration symptoms | Symptoms include decreased urination, dark urine, and dry mouth and lips. |
| High fever | If you have a fever higher than 101 Fahrenheit (38.3 Celsius) that is not controlled by medication. |
Does removing tonsils affect immunity?
This is a question that many people ask. Since tonsils are part of our immune system, there is a fear that removing them will weaken our immune system.
However, research has shown that removing tonsils does not have any negative impact on immunity. In fact, some studies have shown that removing tonsils that are prone to frequent infections can actually improve the body's immune response.
But remember, even if your tonsils are removed, the other tissues in your throat can still become infected. This means that you may get a sore throat again, but the serious conditions caused by your tonsils will not.
Take-Home Message
- Tonsillectomy is a common and generally very safe surgery.
- This is mainly done for people who have frequent tonsil infections and those who have difficulty breathing during sleep.
- It takes about two weeks to fully heal, and during that time it is very important to consume fluids and soft foods.
- If you notice any warning signs, such as heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing, or a high fever, contact your doctor immediately.
- Removing your tonsils does not harm your immune system.
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