I had a tonsilectomy on 6-10-08 for scc. I still can hardly swallow as the Dr. said he removed a lot of tissue to make sure he got it all. When I left the hospital I wasn't given any instructions on daily care of surgery site and was discharged on a Friday afternoon so no one was available to call until Monday. So my question is what are some of the things I could be doing to help myself heal. I can hardly get down jello and am learning to swallow. I feel like a nail was driven in my left ear and throat. Also, prior to surgery I had to stop taking aspirin and plavax. Does anyone know how many days you would normally wait before resuming those? The nurse I called at the hospital said there were no instructions or prescriptions and to just resume what I had been taking.

First, you should be on some kind of pain medication for a post op T&A - did the dr not prescribe something? Adults have a lot more pain than children with this procedure. Usually something like Tylenol with hydrocodene (Commonly called Lortab or Vicodin) Do not take aspirin - if you can't get to your dr you could take some extra strength Tylenol - maximum dose on package. Also, pain can lead to dehydration so MAKE SURE you are drinking plenty of water or whatever other fluid you can tolerate. Did your dr or nurse give you ANY instructions? YOu should have received written instructions as well as verbal one. I would advise you to call your DR as soon as possible if you did not get any instructions and ask about these things. Did they talk to you about the risk of post-op bleeding? Don't want to scare you but it's always a concern with adult T&A.

When I had my biopsy, they removed my tonsil. Before the surgery, I asked the person scheduling (first of many mistakes) how long I should be expect to be out of work. I was told a day because there might be some soreness. I was out of work a week and should have stayed home longer. I'm sure I was prescribed pain killers.

When I had my tonsil removed, I was given Tylenol with codine but did not use any. I was given a list of foods to eat and was not allowed back to work for two weeks. For the 1st week I ate only popsicles and icecream, then moved on to soups, jello and pudding and popsicles. I started solid foods near the end of the second week. I saw my ENT 15 days after surgery and my records were then transferred to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. I had no pain from the surgery and gave the local Memorial address the day after surgery. I hpoe this helps a little. Bob

Me2 I already had pain medication. You said not to take aspirin and the aspirin and plavix was on my regularly scheduled meds. How long do you think it takes to heal before it will not bleed? The paper I received on check out didn't even have follow-up visits with the Dr.s I had saw in the hospital. Also, when the nurse signed me out and handed me a paper with nothing basically on it she said you're free to go and I walked out of the hospital. Normally they would at least ride you to the door. It was a poor experience as I am one who wants to know everything and it's like pulling teeth to get any info from anyone here. Now my ENT did say to watch for any bleeding and not to eat anything that could scratch the area and to eat things like jello or something soft. I also have lidocaine that I used before surgery for sore throat but I don't know whether I should use it post-op.

Simple Gifts I know what you mean, they had me scheduled as an outpatient and then after surgery I was transfered to ICU and then a short stent in CCU and then a regular room on the heart floor before I left. They have no clue that it is painful for some of us and a lot probably depends on who's doing it and how much they have to remove as well. Today is day 5 post-op and I still can't get food to go down right. But I keep working at it. Angel

Bob, I was amazed when I read your info. That is True Grit! That is wonderful that you weren't in severe pain. I am a coffee drinker so I let my coffee cool off before I drink it and I have been able to drink a little but to swallow jello or ice cream, it's like it gets to a place in my throat and just stops and I have to drink liquid to wash the jello or ice cream so it will go on down. I may be trying to do more than I need to to fast. I am going to stop anything that gets stuck in my throat for now after reading your schedule. I appreciate all of ya'lls information as it does help. Angel