What happens if tonsils removed

A health care provider might recommend removing the tonsils if someone gets a lot of tonsil infections called tonsillitis. Experts define "a lot" as when a doctor diagnoses the person with at least 7 infections a year, more than 5 infections a year for 2 years in a row, or three infections a year for 3 years. What Happens Before a Tonsillectomy? What Happens During a Tonsillectomy?

The two main types of tonsillectomy surgery are: Traditional tonsillectomy: Both tonsils are completely removed. Intracapsular tonsillectomy: The surgeon removes all the affected tonsil tissue, but leaves a small layer to protect the throat muscles underneath. There's a very slight chance that the remaining tissue can re-grow or become infected and need more tonsil surgery, but this isn't common.

If you have this type of surgery, you will: recover faster have less pain not need as much pain medicine have a lower risk of bleeding be better able to eat and drink after the procedure. How Long Does a Tonsillectomy Take? A tonsillectomy usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, though it can take a little longer. What Happens After the Tonsillectomy? There are risks with any surgery, including infection and problems with anesthesia.

How Can I Feel Better? Take pain medicine as directed by your health care provider. For 2 weeks after surgery, avoid blowing your nose and don't play contact sports. When Should I Call the Doctor? Call the doctor if you: get a fever vomit after the first day or after taking medicine have a sore throat despite taking pain medicine can't drink enough liquids Call the doctor right away if you vomit blood or something that looks like coffee grounds, or have trouble breathing.

What Else Should I Know? Removing swollen tonsils has been found to be very effective in treating sleep apnea, however, your doctor may try less invasive treatments before exploring surgery. It sounds a little gross, but sometimes debris, such as food, dead cells and other substances, can become trapped on the tonsils, creating tonsil stones.

There are less invasive treatments, but the only way to permanently prevent them is with tonsillectomy. Whether you have your tonsils or not, you could develop tonsil cancer. About 70 percent of cancers in the oropharynx tonsils, soft palate and base of tongue are linked to the human papillomavirus HPV , a common sexually transmitted virus.

If you still have them, your doctors will remove as part of your cancer treatment. Tonsillectomies are performed under general anesthesia, and although rare, there are some small risks, including possible bleeding, infection and a reaction to the anesthesia itself.

Many patients experience nausea and vomiting, throat pain, low grade fever, bad breath, earaches and fatigue. Stewart shared that some patients experience quite a bit of post-op pain, but it usually fades during the second week.

Life-threatening complications are rare, but Dr. Stewart said if you have bright red blood coming from your tonsil beds, a fever greater than , severe or persistent ear pain or symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, let your doctor know and seek immediate medical attention.

If you are concerned about you or your loved one, visit bannerhealth. By Regan Olsson , Contributing Writer. Nov 27, 1. If you experience frequent sore throat , talk to your doctor. Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician? Save time, book online. Close X. Back to Living Better Living Better newsletter.

Zip Code. When should your tonsils be removed? There are two main reasons it may be time to undergo a tonsillectomy removal of the tonsils : You have chronic sleep apnea or snoring that disrupts your sleep. What are the symptoms of tonsillitis? How can enlarged tonsils be harmful? Can adults benefit from tonsillectomy? Related Stories.