A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is a common surgical procedure performed on children to remove the tonsils and adenoids. Both tonsils and adenoids are part of the immune system. Inflammation of these tissues can lead to a number of health conditions, necessitating a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedure. Tonsils are located at the back of the mouth and adenoids are located behind the soft palate. Following the procedure, a sore throat is common, making eating difficult during the recovery period. A soft diet during recovery will allow healing while nourishing your child.
Recovery Phase
Following a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedure, most children heal and recover within a week to 10 days. Some children feel back to normal within a few days, while other children may take up to two weeks to fully recover from this type of surgery. Your child may experience moderate to severe throat pain for up to two weeks. Your child's doctor will give you instructions on how to manage throat pain with prescription and non-prescription pain medications.
Clear Liquid Diet
Immediately following a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedure, your child will be able to have a clear liquid diet. Adequate fluids following this this procedure will help facilitate healing. Clear liquids include water, apple juice, grape juice, tea, sports drinks, clear carbonated beverages, broth, gelatin and ice pops. After this type of surgery, some children experience nausea and vomiting. A clear liquid diet is easy to digest and can help relieve and upset stomach.
Full Liquid Diet
After your child is able to tolerate a clear liquid diet, he will be allowed to try a full liquid diet. A full liquid diet incorporates foods such ice cream, milk, milkshakes, pudding, custard, yogurt and cream of wheat, as as well as all of the foods on a clear liquid diet. Liquids at room temperature may be more comfortable to swallow than very hot or very cold items.
Soft Diet
As soon as your child can tolerate a full liquid diet and feels ready to try more foods, he can progress to a soft diet. A soft diet includes foods that are easy to swallow, such as scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes with gravy, ground meats, white bread, bananas, and canned fruits. Avoid any foods that are dry and scratchy, including chips, crackers, dry toast or pretzels, which could cause bleeding during recovery. Also avoid foods that are overly spicy or acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and juices, which can cause throat discomfort during the healing process. After your child is fully recovered and the scabs from the surgery sites have fallen off, it is safe to resume a regular diet.
References
- University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health; Caring for Your Child after a Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy; February 2011
- The Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters:Tonsillectomy
- Cincinnati Children's: Tonsillectomy
- The Patient Education Institute: Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Member Comments