What are the Best Foods to Eat After Tonsillectomy?
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.
Liquids: The best friend of any 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.
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 recovery. 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 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 plan. 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 day 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. 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. 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 items for your tonsillectomy diet. Check out theGeneral Store. -Greg Tooke My short bio
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!