Diet

In general, the patient can eat almost anything. The most important thing to remember is that the patient remains hydrated. If he/she does not eat for several days, do not be worried - he/she will catch up later. However, children can quickly become dehydrated, so they may need extra encouragement.

Patients must DRINK! Water, fruit juices (such as apple juice or grape juice), jello, popsicles, broth are all excellent. Milk, milkshakes, and ice cream are also acceptable.

The patient may want to eat. Add soft foods if desired. If the patient can tolerate it, he/she can eat it. Avoid sharp, crunchy, and dry foods such as popcorn, nuts, tacos, tortilla chips, dry breads and crackers.

Children 3-7 generally recuperate over the course of 1 week. Children 7-12 require a longer time (usually 10 days), while teenagers and adults may easily need 2-3 weeks to feel well. It is quite normal to have an increase in pain 7-10 days after surgery as the scabs fall off the back of the throat.

Keep activity light. No roughhousing, contact sports or gym for the first 2 weeks. Also, vacations or trips should be avoided for the first 2-3 weeks after surgery.

An antibiotic is sometimes prescribed for seven to ten days following the surgery. The patient also receives a prescription for pain killers in the form of codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco or Lortab) or oxycodone (Roxicet or Percocet). One can hide these medications in juices and foods to encourage intake for children. These products cause drowsiness and constipation, and occasionally nausea (especially if taken without food). If the patient vomits, Phenergan suppositories are given. In addition, prednisone is sometimes given for several days after surgery to help with inflammation.

If you or your child requires more pain medication, please call before you run out of medication. Call as early as possible during a weekday as some narcotic prescriptions must be picked up in person and cannot be called into a pharmacy. In addition, often patients are given Roxicet and Oxycodone for pain relief. The Roxicet is to be given first, and in the event that the patient requires more pain relief within the 4 hour time period until the next dose of Roxicet, a dose of Oxycodone can be given in between to tide the patient over to the next scheduled dose of Roxicet. Monitor patient for signs of extreme drowsiness or lethargy. If this occurs and it is difficult to rouse the patient, contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.

• Frequent coughing and clearing the throat should be avoided


• Very bad mouth odor is commonly observed and is relieved by abundant fluid intake


• A white gray/green membrane is seen on the sides of the throat and is normal for the first 1 to 2 weeks


• Earache is expected. It is not an ear infection; it is referred pain from the throat.


• Low-grade fever is often seen after surgery. If a high fever occurs (102ºF) after the first 48 hours, contact your doctor as the patient may require IV fluids.


• Occasionally, transient neck stiffness may occur in children following adenoidectomy. Also, some patients leak fluid from their noses for several weeks when they drink liquids. This is temporary.


• Patient may return to school or work 1 week after discharge. Please note that painkillers cause drowsiness. Patients who take painkillers should not operate machinery, drive or make important decisions.


• Do not use aspirin for 2 weeks; it increases the possibility of bleeding

Most patients, especially children, experience a low-grade fever. This is often caused by dehydration. Encourage fluid intake, cool baths, and Tylenol if needed (remember that you cannot use both Tylenol and Tylenol with Codeine together as you can overdose on the amount of Tylenol given to the patient. You can ONLY alternate between Tylenol and Tylenol with Codeine.

The danger of serious bleeding is over after you leave the hospital. In 1-3% of patients there is some bleeding between days 5-9 postoperatively. If this happens to you, do not become excited, for this bleeding is usually slight and stops spontaneously. Remain quiet, lie down, and spit the blood out gently. Gargle gently with ice water or peroxide and stay quiet. If the bleeding does not stop promptly, or happens in a young child, call your doctor. If the doctor is not available or the bleeding is significant, immediately go to the nearest emergency room.