Tonsillectomy Diet
The tonsillectomy diet can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the nutrition derived from solid foods is essential for out overall health and recovery from tonsillectomy surgery. The very act of swallowing also helps the throat recover. On the other hand, pushing foods past the raw and tender area of the tonsil beds after they’ve been cut and in many cases cauterized, can cause excruciating pain and, even bleeding. We need to go slow as we formulate our tonsillectomy diet.
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Tonsillectomy Diet
Liquids: The Cornerstone of the tonsillectomy diet
Liquids. Let’s start here. Since you’ll be drinking at least 8 ounces per hour during tonsillectomy recovery. Put some thought into what you want. Sport drinks are good. They provide electrolytes and needed calories. Since most of the calories are from sugar, you’ll want to try some other drinks too. Avoid anything acidic, caffeinated, dairy, or thick for the first week. I was amazed by how many things I drank went down like battery acid or left a troublesome film on my throat. (tonsil bed) Water is always good, but it’s hard to stay interested in it. I also enjoyed chicken and beef broths. Don’t heat them beyond, “fairly warm.” Hot has an inflammatory effect on tonsil area tissue. As you’re probably picking up, the tonsillectomy diet is not a glamorous one!
Gelatin was the first thing I was given to begin eating after tonsillectomy and I thought I’d gone to heaven. It tasted wonderful and, for some reason, I found it easier to swallow than water. It’s cool, soothing, and counts as hydration. Hands down, Jell-O, Jelly, or gelatin is my top pick for foods for a tonsillectomy diet.
For the first five days I didn’t venture too far beyond the liquids and gelatin. It’s contrary to what your mother might advise but, like sleep, a normally healthy endeavor can result in an hour of searing pain. I tried mashed potatoes on day two and had tears in my eyes. For about a day after that, I stopped eating . I don’t recommend this. Maintaining a good tonsillectomy diet is important for several reasons. Nutrition, activation of muscles in the affected area, and feeling of well being are all benefits of a smart tonsillectomy diet.
Also keep in mind that most prescription pain killers can cause nausea, especially on an empty stomach. It’s important to get some kind of food down before taking pain medicine, even if it’s just a liquid food like Ensure. Try to add as many calories to your tonsillectomy diet as you can.
As your throat allows, try some foods like oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, (NOT al dente. cook it!), ramen noodles, mashed potatoes, gravy, or cous cous to your post-tonsillectomy diet. Oatmeal was, without question, my breakthrough food as I began eating after tonsillectomy. I’m still eating it almost daily, probably because of the good feeling that it gave me in my second week.
When I was recovering, I used to daydream about eating steak. It seemed so unattainable. I couldn’t even handle mashed potatoes. When could I ever enjoy a nice juicy Steak?? I told myself, once I got through this, I would reward myself with a delicious slab of beef. To this day, I love my steak.
Tonsillectomy Recovery
Tonsilitis
I’ve put together a collection of items that I think would be helpful, if not essential, to making tonsillectomy recovery a little more pleasant, including itemss for your tonsillectomy diet. Check out theGeneral Store.
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I am in day 4… feelig really panic but forcefully trying to eat some fluids food like overcooked rice after blinding … and soup but the pain beeing hard and ear beeing like block and more panic. Hoping will be alright in few days…. very bad experience I am having… How many days more????? Frn think before tonsillectomy if u r living alone out of country or home for work propose.
I am 37 and was terrified of having mine removed. It has been about 11 days or so since the surgery now. The first 9 days were so brutal it was almost a blur. I know some days were a little better than others and I was able to get applause down and maybe an instant carnation with soy milk. But there were days that no food made it down my gullet. Water was sipped slower than when my kids were babies drinking out of their sippy cups for the first time. I’ve tried runny mashed potatoes, which some days were okay if I chased it with a sip of water, which reminded me of college days. I have had the extreme burning when I take the liquid pain meds, which always gives me pause to take them. I’m finally now up to needing it only every six hours as opposed to every four. And I can get away with only needing the lesser amount of 2 tsp instead of 3 tsp. Which is progress I think. The past two days are the first since I got home that I have had to constantly use ice against my left ear. This whole time my ear has felt like someone put a mini chainsaw inside and set off without anyone paying attention. At times I wanted to pour ice water into the canal just to get some sort of relief. I’m thinking I’ve finally turned a corner. I haven’t been able to open my mouth wide enough to see scabs so I don’t know if I’m there yet, but I’d like to think this tightening, itchy feeling that is occurring is the culprit. Good luck everyone.
Ok I need some help here. I’m on Day 9. (I count the surgery as day 1)… Pain is SLOWLY starting to break but is still coming in waves, specially in the mornings…..but here is the biggest issue.
I can’t sleep laying flat still. I can’t lay down! Every time I get a TON of slavia which I swallow then I feel like I can’t breath. As if something (which I sure is) blocking my air from my nose and mouth! I wake up, if I am asleep, in a panic! I feel like I am drowning then. Does this stop? Or is there something wrong that I need to call the doctor about? I just don’t want to live the rest of my life sitting up! lol
thanks!
I had mine out nov 21st 2012. I wasn’t worried about the pain. I would just take as much as I needed and get something stronger if need be. My problem was about day 6 when my tounge had a white coating stuck on it. Once it came off, my taste was gone. Everything tasted like crap or copper. I loved diet coke and it was horrible, meat tastes crapy and only plain plain chicken was on. I read and read and seemed like ifcwould never come back. It does slowly after months and months. It does come back just ave to be patient
I had my surgery on april 4th. I had no pain till tonight and i am eating easliy. When i was coming home from op i had a hashbrown and a bacon and egg mc muffin and i had been drinking water, coke, cordial and also been eating scrambled eggs, pumpkin soup with bread, ice- cream. Havn’t sleept much but eating nad drinking like a champ had some bleeding went to hospital and they said nothing. I am really craving maccers and kfc so bad and wanting to talk like crazy but i can’t and i have heard that i cant do this till 2-4 weeks after and thats too long. I am 14 atm turning 15.
Day 6 – No joke this recovery. I was able to eat only minimal pain meds yesterday (OXY/Acet) but then ended up taking one every four hours all night and still not being able to sleep with the pain. The drugs cause lucid dreams and even auditory hallucinations, but hey, if I get some relief that is okay. I am going to walk outside for the first time today to get the mail. It is really painful to be awake.
I am posting because I discovered a great food for these early days. Heat a cup of beef broth on the stove and when almost boiling pour one beaten egg into it. The egg will cook out very soft and stringy and will give you some substance so that you can take your meds without vomitting. I vommitted on Day 3,4, and 6 due to medications. I can’t wait to be able to thoroughly enjoy a big plate of nachos!
Does anyone have experience drinking vegetable juices?
My meds burn my throat and when i swallow it i have to drink something after. I take a pill up the rear and it helps alot which i think is the only thing making me eat.
I am on day 11 cannot get any juice down its like razor blades . Last night I had bleeding suddenly and had to go to ER. I also am tired of liquid diet (vanilla ensure keeping me alive) I want navho’s too!
My 6 year old daughter that’s going to have her tonsils taken out soon. Lately she has been freaking out about the littlest things. (Other then popsicles, Ice, and drinking plenty of fluids) How can I help ease her pain? How fast should I graduate her to different things and foods? Please help!!!
I’m 32 and just had mine out on the 1st. Slurpees have been one thing that has helped me the most, even more than popsicles and water ice, which I also have frequently. Other good tips I’ve picked up from this site that have helped are holding an ice pack on the outside of your throat and applying heat for ear pain. I’ve also read some people ease jaw and ear pain by chewing gum, though it hasn’t seemed to work for me. Another miracle pain reliever was the ‘magic mouthwash’. Its basically a prescription mouthwash that numbs the mouth and throat, I’m not sure if there’s an age issue with it do that’s a question for her dr. The name on the bottle is magic 240 I believe, and it’s safe to swallow so you wouldn’t have to worry about that. I got it from my primary care doc when my surgeon wouldn’t return calls for more meds, and i wish i had been given it from the start. As far as food goes, I’ve heard kids bounce back much quicker but I’ve managed jello, instant oatmeal with a lot of extra water to help it slide down easier, mashed potatoes, soup and soft boiled eggs. I’ve also gone through 2 jars of applesauce because it’s the best way for me to get the pain meds in, plus it’s cold so it’s soothing. A spoonful of honey also temporarily soothes it a bit. Definitely use a humidifier, especially at night, I actually borrowed a second one and have 2 right next to the bed and night times haven’t been too horrendous, the hardest part is sleeping propped up instead of flat, but again all of this may be different in kids. Everyone I’ve talked to who had it done that young barely remembers it so it’s probably a really good thing they caught it now, even though it doesn’t feel good to have too go through it. Good luck!
I had my tonsillectomy on March 15th . The first day was pretty painful. Day 1 and 2 all I had was water and gatorade. Gatorade was my savior. Popsicles too. Day 3 I started drinking Ensure. It was perfect. Filled me up, nutritious, and caused minimal pain. By day 4 I could eat mashed potatoes with gravy and mac and cheese. Now it is day 5. The pain is worse than ever. Still loving the Ensure, Gatorade, and pudding. Hope this helps someone out there.
I am a 25 year old female, and this is day 2 from my tonsillectomy, so far, Ive only been able to eat popsicles and ice cream. I had some soup yesterday which was amazing! I woke up this morning with the worst pain ever, taking liquid Ibuprofen helps me, I stopped the liquid APAP/Hydrocodone because it made me nauseous. I hope for the best outcome from this surgery, never again will I want to suffer from Chronic Tonsillitis.
You took liquid ibuprofen? I got mine out today and I was told no ibuprofen related products because it could cause you to bleed more.
I also was told no Ibuprofin. It causes blood to thin and therefore more bleeding. My daughter is 3 and had hers removed on the 29th of April. She is loving scrambled eggs that I made and then chill in the refrigerator and oatmeal room temperature. I make the oatmeal and then add milk to make it just a little thinner and bring it down to room temperature. Please call your doctor and make sure you are not causing any harm with the Ibuprofin.
I am 18 and had my tonsils taken out as I CONSTANTLY had tonsillitis. The pain isn’t that bad I was able to swallow crisps on the first day.. Ever since I left hospital I can smell scrambled egg and been craving a curry
The only thing that is painful is to talk!!
I’m 42 and had my tonsils out on 3/1/13 and I’m doing better than I imagine except the coughing and my tongue hurts like heck! I stayed on clear liquids for about 3 days. Oatmeal on day 4 was a bad choice but refried beans and cheese did the trick. Alot of vitamin water, fruit bar popsicles did the trick but I am craving tacos. Despite what others may say REST as much as you can. The liquid pain meds (tylenol w/codeine)will make you sleepy. Prop yourself, don’t sleep flat and if your throat “punching bag” is swollen open your mouth and get your sleep on! When you wake, drink some room temperature water and eat a popsicle or Jello. Eat plenty and drink often, by day 6 you will feel much better.
Had my bad boys taken out on 2/28/13. I am 24 year old male. WOW…. what a terrible decision this tonsillectomy thing was. I have been drinking basically water only. I had a milkshake, pudding, and jello on day two. Day three i had some scrabbled eggs and soup so far. I am watching tv constantly and keep seeing food commercials….. not cool. Ive lost 6 pounds in 3-4 days.
I am 65years old and had emergency tonsillectomy on Feb. 27th. I have not been in a lot of pain and am able to eat most of the liquids mentioned above. Yesterday I tried a mashed banana and some mac & cheese, both were too ruff for my throat. mashed potatoes and Campbell’s chicken noodle soup work the best. My doctor was the best, she gave me liquid pain meds as well as antiboditicis, so they go down real easy. I guess I’ve been blessed not to have had the pain most people get after surgery.
Its 2 am on I guess trchnicall day two. Had my surgery yesterday..thursday 2/28. This is by far the worst pin I’ve experienced and my history includes intestional remival..hernias..multiple bowel obstructions and 2 csections. Almost everyone says it gets worse…ill die of pain if thats true. I’ve got percocet..dilaudid (hydromorphone) gum..throat sprays..loszenges etc. For me cold stuff is impossible. Chammomile tea with rwal honey…chicken broth and cream of chicken soup are more soothing luke warm so I’m sticking with those. I’m also using trameel homeopathic drops and heel bhi for inflamation. Oh and 600 mg ibupofen. So far since waking from surgety I’ve slept 20 mins. I’m so terrified of the next week if its worse then this…ps I’m a 37 year old female
I’ve also been using a wrap ice pack on my neck..helps a little because ache is worse if I take it off
I’m 22 years old. Had my surgery exactly a week ago. Pain wasn’t bad the day of surgery, the next day I was in the ER because I couldn’t keep anything down. I mostly had been eating mashed potatoes, very cooled down, ice chips, scrabbled eggs and pudding. On day 5 I was doing pretty well. Only taking my pain meds at bedtime and wake up time. I did eat a cheeseburger yesterday. It hurt like crap but I was determined!
It hurts so bad the first couple days. And all I wanna do is eat real food. I can’t wait for a full day of eating.
I kept an ice pack around my neck for 48 hours.
My only problem now is my uvula is so swollen it’s gagging me.
Oh and applesauce was probably the best thing I ate the first 4 days!
My uvula is super swollen too. And obviously the areas they operated on. I’ve found cold hurts a lot worse. Hope you feel better soon
hi, my name is laury, and I am 21. I am having a tonsillectomy tomorrow, along with removal of a cyst on my vocal fold.. all in one day! I honestly do not know what to expect, or what the pain level will be. I would love some insight on foods to stock up on and such. thank you!
Hello my name is bre for nickname I am 13 years old I had my tounsils out on feburay 14 2013.I am on day 6 today it hurts worse then it did on day 5 which I don’t think is a good thing.:( chewing gum help just don’t swallow popcicles oatmeal jello pudding applesause apple juice gatorade ice water broth from soup (chicken or beef).my neck is swollen and i m really craving stuff like toast chips pizza and scarty thing anyone know how long till I will be recovered and be able to eat what I want !
Hi Bre, At 13 your body is very resilient. I would bet that, with the next couple days you’ll start feeling much better. (I hope so!
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Try to keep drinking and using those throat muscles, eating what you can. Be careful though- don’t eat sharp things like Doritos!
Hang in there!
Hi Guys, Im on my fourth day after my op and so far my routine is take pain meds every four hours and eat food I would normally eat before the op. Im also chewing gum and trying to drink water as often as I can. Im avoiding spicy foods as they irritate my throat. I found that when I take the pain meds around 30 min before a meal its much more bearable. according to my ENT his advice was eat normal foods as this will aid the recovery process.
Had tonsillectomy on Thursday 31st Jan. Now day 5 and not great. Been eating toast every day since day one. Managed fishcakes and curly fries on day 2 but everything tastes really salty. I have found chewing gum really helps to clear spittle and other rubbish from mouth. Had an ice pop today which was divine- cant believe I hadnt tried one before day 5. Have lost about 9lbs in weight and am totally not interested in food at all. Luke warm tea really helps me too!
hello, my 10 year old daughter JUST had her tonsils and adenoids removed this afternoon. She has already managed to eat rice noodles, jello, ice pops and frozen banana slices. The banana slices I use to do for her when she was teething as a baby and it worked like a charm them and did now too
She was STARVING but I was afraid to push her stomach plus I did not want to give her anything that could hurt her so she sucked on some banana slices, chewed them up when they thawed. They soothed her throat and filled her belly at the same time. Plus, for those with upset bellies bananas are the perfect remedy. I will try making her some homemade juice tomorrow so that she get essential nutrients in her. My older daughter went through this but unfortunately she bled out at day 15 and need to be cortirized. I am trying to avoid that to happening to my little one (can’t live through that horror again). Any other kid friendly ideas? She is gluten free which causes issues of food choices.
I had a tonsilectomy on 1/16/13. Today is my best day yet, with yesterday probably being my worst. Day three is awful. Today I was able to have a little scrambled eggs, very cool and chopped up. Stayed down ok. I’m worried that it has been three and a half days and I haven’t had a BM yet. Any suggestestions on what I can eat to get things moving without killing my throat?
Hello there, I had the same issue and needed some help ‘going’ after 4 days of non stop Lortab use. I ended up purchasing MoM (milk of magnesia) only because I knew it a) wouldn’t burn my throat (though it does have a milky/chalky taste) and b) wouldn’t cause cramping and make me run to the bathroom. It got things moving again within a couple of hours. I’ve also heard about Mirolax; it’s a clear liquid that you can mix in with other liquids. I’ve never had it though so I can’t speak from personal experience as to whether it burns going down or causes cramping.
Hope this helps and you feel better soon.
You could also take colace capsules. They are very small and slide right down because they have a gel coating. You could probably get them down easier in some jello or apple sauce. Most importantly, you have to keep drinking water and stay hydrated. The reason you are having trouble is because all pain meds cause dehydration. Also don’t be afraid to get suppositories. Fleet works best. It makes it much easier to go. Honestly you don’t want to let it build up because it hurts like hell when you finally have to. Trust me I know because I had a major neck surgery back in July and had the same problem. Good luck!