Ice cream is not the only thing on the menu when your tonsils are removed. A variety of foods aid in recovering from a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Ease your recovery time and decrease your pain by focusing on the right beverages and foods. The surgeries, commonly performed together, remove glands that suffer from frequent infections. Patients receive general anesthesia and the surgery is commonly executed on an outpatient basis. Full recovery takes between one and two weeks.
Beverages
Once anesthesia wears off, drinking fluids will decrease pain and promote recovery. Include plenty of water and ice pops. It is important to drink beverages to avoid dehydration, even if drinking causes your throat to hurt. MayoClinic.com suggests avoiding milk for the initial 24 hours after surgery. Orange, tomato, grapefruit and pineapple juice may cause a burning sensation and should be avoided.
Food
Immediately after surgery, you can start consuming bland foods such as chicken broth or applesauce, suggests MayoClinic.com. After 24 hours, add foods with additional flavor such as pudding, ice cream and creamy soups. Begin to include easy-to-chew foods as soon as possible after surgery. Avoid meat and foods requiring large amounts of chewing, although chewing gum is recommended. Chewing gum decreases spasms after surgery and shortens the time until you can eat comfortably. Eat foods that are cold or lukewarm. Hot food may irritate your throat. Avoid spicy or crunchy foods until your throat has completely healed.
Meal Suggestions
Always include beverages with your meals to make swallowing food easier. For breakfast, avoid hard cereals. Instead, opt for oatmeal, yogurt or chilled fruit smoothies. Remember to not consume dairy products until 24 hours after surgery. Lunch and dinner may include stews and casseroles with sides such as rice, mashed potatoes or pasta. Snacks may include fruit purees, gelatin and peanut butter on banana. Avoid chips, crackers or other hard foods.
Warnings
Eating and drinking may cause pain after surgery, so children and even adults may avoid drinking beverages and eating food. Decreased fluid intake may lead to dehydration. Signs of dehydration include urinating fewer than three times a day or crying without tears. Contact a medical professional you suspect dehydration. The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh suggests taking acetaminophen about 30 minutes prior to eating to decrease throat pain. Pain often lasts for several days but may linger as long as 10 days. After a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, some weight loss may occur. Most people regain weight several weeks after surgery.
