12/02/2025
Just had a tonsillectomy? Here’s your essential guide to a smooth recovery!
POST-TONSILLECTOMY CARE GUIDE
1. PAIN MANAGEMENT
✅ Take pain relief medication as prescribed by the doctor (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen if allowed).
✅ Inform the doctor if the pain is too severe.
❌ Do not take Aspirin as it increases the risk of bleeding.
2. FOOD & DRINKS
✅ Drink plenty of cold or warm water (avoid dehydration).
✅ Soft & cold foods are better for the throat:
• Ice cream, yogurt
• Porridge, soft rice
• Mashed potatoes, soup
• Scrambled eggs, soft tofu
❌ Avoid foods that may injure the surgical site:
• Spicy, sour, or hot foods (chili, lime, curry)
• Hard or crunchy foods (crackers, biscuits, toast, fried chicken)
• Carbonated or caffeinated drinks
3. THINGS TO AVOID
❌ Do not cough or clear the throat forcefully.
❌ Do not blow your nose too hard.
❌ Avoid excessive talking or shouting.
❌ Refrain from running, jumping, or rough play for at least two weeks.
4. THROAT & NOSE CARE
✅ If the throat feels dry:
• Gargle with cold salt water (but do not gargle too forcefully).
• Use saline nasal spray if the nose feels dry; Gengigel for the throat.
✅ Use a soft toothbrush to avoid bleeding.
5. WARNING SIGNS – WHEN TO SEEK HELP!
✅ NORMAL: Slightly blood-streaked saliva (pink or brownish) in the first 1-2 days.
❌ NOT NORMAL:
• Bright red bleeding from the mouth or nose.
• Persistent dripping of fresh blood (>5ml).
• High fever (>38.5°C) or foul-smelling breath.
➡️ Go to the hospital immediately if any of these signs appear!
✨ ADDITIONAL TIPS
✅ Encourage the child to rest well for faster healing.
✅ Ice cream or cold foods can help reduce throat pain.
✅ Avoid hot environments, as heat can increase the risk of bleeding.
After surgery, a white or yellowish layer (called fibrin slough) will form at the surgical site. This is normal and essential for healing.
🚫 It is NOT an infection unless accompanied by:
• Fever
• Increasing pain
• Foul-smelling breath
This layer will gradually disappear between days 7 to 14.
❌ Do not scrape or remove it, as this can cause bleeding.
💧 To aid healing, ensure the child drinks plenty of water, eats soft foods, and avoids spicy or hard foods.
SUITABLE SOFT FOODS AFTER TONSILLECTOMY
After a tonsillectomy, patients should consume soft, cool, and non-spicy foods to reduce pain and promote healing. Avoid hard, crunchy, and spicy foods that may injure the throat.
✅ Recommended Soft Foods
🥣 Porridge & Soft Rice
✔ Plain porridge / chicken porridge (without chili)
✔ Soft rice with clear soup (e.g., chicken soup, fish soup, vegetable soup)
✔ Rice soaked in soup (easier to swallow)
🍜 Soups & Liquid-Based Foods
✔ Chicken soup (without black pepper)
✔ Fish soup / vegetable soup
✔ Soft, watery dishes (without chili)
🥛 Dairy Products & Cold Drinks
✔ Cold milk (without thick chocolate)
✔ Vanilla or mild-flavored ice cream
✔ Yogurt (without fruit chunks)
✔ Lassi or cultured milk drinks (non-carbonated)
🍌 Soft Fruits
✔ Soft bananas / papayas
✔ Boiled or blended apples (cold apple juice is also fine)
✔ Watermelon juice (without ice)
🍞 Soft Breads & Carbohydrates
✔ White bread soaked in milk/soup
✔ Mashed potatoes
✔ Soft desserts such as steamed cakes, Seri Muka, or Kuih Kaswi
✔ Caramel pudding or soft custard
🥚 Protein & Egg-Based Foods
✔ Scrambled eggs (soft and easy to swallow)
✔ Soft-boiled eggs
✔ Soft tofu (eaten with soup or light soy sauce)
❌ Foods to Avoid
🚫 Spicy or heavily seasoned foods (sambal, curry, tom yum soup, chili)
🚫 Hard & crunchy foods (crackers, dry biscuits, toast, crispy fried chicken)
🚫 Carbonated & caffeinated drinks (soda, teh tarik, coffee)
🚫 Sour or fibrous fruits (pineapple, lime, guava)
🚫 Hot foods that may trigger bleeding
⏳ How Long Should Soft Foods Be Taken?
🔹 Days 1-5 → Focus on very soft & cold foods.
🔹 Days 6-10 → Gradually introduce warmer & slightly textured foods (still soft).
🔹 Days 11-14 → Slowly return to a normal diet (if there is no bleeding or pain).
📌 Additional Tips
✅ Ensure the patient drinks plenty of water to prevent throat dryness and bleeding.
✅ Eat small, frequent meals to avoid excessive swallowing effort.
✅ Avoid using a straw, as sucking can disrupt healing.
✅ If pain worsens or bleeding occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
Check out https://www.johorentdoctor.com/ for more info!
