What is a Tonsillectomy?

A tonsillectomy is the removal of your tonsils. Your tonsils are located in the back of your throat. Tonsils are part of your body’s immune system, but removing them does not increase your risk for infection.

Why is a Tonsillectomy done?

There are several reasons for a tonsillectomy. The two most common reasons are if:

Who gets tonsillectomies?

PROCEDURE DETAILS

Who gets Tonsillectomies?

Electrocautery: This method uses heat to remove the tonsils and stop any bleeding.
Cold knife (steel) dissection: The tonsils are removed with a scalpel. Bleeding is then stopped with sutures or with electrocautery (extreme heat).
Harmonic scalpel: This method uses ultrasonic vibrations to cut and stop bleeding from the tonsils at the same time.
Other methods include the use of radiofrequency ablation techniques, a carbon dioxide laser and/or a microdebrider.

Recovery and Outlook

How long is the healing process after a tonsillectomy?

Healing after a tonsillectomy can be different for each person:

What should you eat after a tonsillectomy?

After a tonsillectomy, a key to recovery is making sure that you drink enough fluids. Soft and/or cool foods often are easiest for about one week, but you may feel free to add things to your diet as long as you can tolerate the foods. You should still avoid hard and spicy foods.