The tonsils are two pieces of tissue located on either side of the back of your mouth and help defend your body against infection. If you develop frequent infections within your tonsils--a condition called tonsillitis--your doctor might recommend that you have a tonsillectomy. A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which your tonsils are removed. Before having a tonsillectomy, be sure to discuss the potential side effects of tonsil removal with your doctor.
Pain
After having your tonsils removed, you will experience some pain, especially in the back of the mouth or throat. It may be uncomfortable or difficult for you to eat certain foods after a tonsillectomy. To limit the amount of pain you experience while eating, the Patient UK website recommends that you avoid consuming spicy foods, alcohol or hot foods, such as soup. Pain can be mild to severe and will progressively subside as your body heals. Your doctor might prescribe pain medication to help you manage your symptoms.
Bleeding
Minimal bleeding immediately after a tonsillectomy is normal and can cause additional symptoms, such as temporary nausea. If you experience excessive bleeding or begin vomiting blood after your tonsils are removed, seek emergency medical care immediately. The Better Health Channel website warns that these symptoms might not develop until a week after surgery.
Infection
An infection can develop at the site of your surgical incisions. If that occurs, you could develop a fever or experience fatigue, body aches or headache. An infection can also cause foul breath. If you exhibit signs of infection after a tonsillectomy, seek emergency medical care.
Unpleasant Taste
A scab will form over your surgical incisions as you begin to heal, which can cause an unpleasant taste to develop in your mouth. This symptom will subside once your body has healed.
Earache
Removal of the tonsils can cause you to develop an earache after surgery. Earache pain is typically mild or moderate and can interfere with your ability to hear normally. As your body continues to heal, earache symptoms will typically resolve on their own.
