Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure during which your tonsils are removed. This surgery is commonly done on children, but in some case adults require it as well. It usually causes no complications and requires only a short hospital stay. This procedure usually will not impede your exercise regimen, as long as you take some minor precautions.
Reasons for Tonsillectomy
A tonsillectomy is performed as a treatment for chronic tonsillitis. Tonsils may also be removed if they are enlarged and impede your ability to breathe. According to the experts at MayoClinic.com, some rare ailments of the tonsils may also warrant their removal.
Surgery
Tonsillectomies are performed mainly under general anesthesia. The procedure rarely lasts longer than an hour. Tonsils are removed using a scalpel. In most cases, an overnight hospital stay after a tonsillectomy is required. Surgeons may also perform a tonsillectomy as an outpatient procedure.
Rest
According to the experts at MayoClinic.com, exercise should be avoided the first few days to a week following a tonsillectomy. This rest period will allow the wounds in your throat to heal adequately and reduce the chance of bleeding during your recovery.
Exercises
After about a week of rest following a tonsillectomy, you may resume some light exercise. Be sure to avoid high-intensity exercises because they may cause a spike in blood pressure and cause the wounds in your throat to bleed. Walking, light jogging, low-intensity weightlifting and stationary biking are all examples of physical activities that are safe to do after a tonsillectomy. Your physician will tell you when your surgical wounds are healed and you are ready to start high-intensity exercises.
References
- "Exercise and Health"; Prof. T. A. Asmangulyan; 1997
- MayoClinic.com: Tonsillectomy
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (16th edition)"; Lawrence Madoff et al; 2005
- UCSD: Tonsillectomy
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