• There can be significant pain requiring regular pain killers up to the 2 week mark.
• Pain is usually more severe in the adult age-group, than in kids.
• The pain often gets worse between day 5 to day 10, before starting to settle.

• Regular Paracetamol (following dosage for weight from bottle)
• Regular Nurofen (following dosage for weight from bottle)
• Occasionally stronger pain relief such as Oxycodone may be required.

        Pain medication may be required regularly for up to 2 weeks

• Panadol 1g 4 X day regularly

• Nurofen 200mg 3X day

• Endone 5-10 mg as required, 4th hourly

  • It is likely to be a significant struggle for up to 2 weeks postoperatively

  • With all these medicines, constipation is quite common.

  • It is often worth speaking to the pharmacist about a gentle laxative to help with this problem (Sorbilax, Duphalac)

  • If pain control is not working, please call for advice as there is almost always something that can be done to help as an outpatient

  • In the most severe cases, readmission to hospital for further pain relief may be required

• 2 weeks off is routinely required
• 3 weeks is required before return to full physical activity
• Gentle exercise can recommence at 2 weeks, and gradually increase towards normal

• Flying, or travel to remote areas should be avoided for 4 weeks after surgery.

• With modern tonsillectomy techniques (such as Coblation/ dissection used by Dr Smith) regrowth of the tonsil is almost never seen.
• Regrowth used to be relatively common with old-fashioned tonsillectomy techniques, where only part of the tonsil was removed.
• Occasionally, a tiny amount of residual tonsil, or some lymph tissue on the back of the tongue can cause infections requiring further treatment.

• Tonsillectomy is curative in almost all cases for recurrent tonsillitis.

• Very rarely a small amount of residual tonsil can grow back and cause problems down the track.

• Tonsillectomy is one of the most successful modern operations.

• Despite the difficult recovery, patients are almost always delighted with the long term results.