Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Preparing for a Child
• Method 2 of 2: Preparing for an Adult
• Similar articles

The tonsils are lymph nodes located on the sides of the throat. They help the body fight infections by absorbing bacteria. Sometimes an infection develops in them, in which case they need to be removed. If you need to have your tonsils removed, talking to your doctor about the procedure and some relaxation techniques can help you get rid of your anxiety.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Preparing for a Child

1. 1 Ask your doctor if it will hurt you. Many children have tonsils removed to prevent the development of infection in them. It is uncomfortable and may be scary, but you will be less likely to get sick after surgery.
   • The doctor will tell you and your parents what drugs will be used as anesthesia. When you wake up, everything will be over.
   • You will also be given pain relievers to help with the healing process.
2. 2 Prepare a cool, tasty meal to eat after your surgery. Cool, soft food will not disturb the wound in the mouth. Ask your parents to buy the following foods in advance:
   • Ice cream
   • Fruit ice
   • Pudding
   • Applesauce
   • The juice
   • Yogurt
3. 3 Plan quiet activities. In most cases, you do not need to stay in the hospital after surgery. However, even with a home regimen, you'd better spend a few days in bed. After that, you can play in peace for two weeks. Plan the following activities:
   • Watching films
   • Reading new books
   • Computer games
   • Arts and Crafts
4. 4 Talk to your parents about your concerns. If you are afraid of something, the parents will be able to explain what the doctor said. They will calm you down and explain that they will be waiting for you when you wake up from your surgery.
   • Many adults have tonsils removed during childhood. Ask the parents how they got through this procedure.
5. 5 Use relaxation techniques. This will help you calm down and stop panicking and anxiety. These tricks are very simple, and you can use them whenever you have a couple of free minutes:
   • Deep breathing. You should focus on breathing slowly and deeply. This will allow you to fully fill your lungs with air, which in turn will promote calmness. This practice is also called belly breathing because the belly swells and deflates when you breathe. If a person does not breathe deeply, only the chest moves.
   • Meditation. Find a quiet place and sit in a comfortable position. You can also meditate in the evening while lying in bed. Try not to think about anything. It can be helpful to repeat the same word over and over again until you feel relaxed.
   • Visualization.This is a type of meditation in which a person envisions a calm and pleasant place (such as a beach). Mentally, you study the beach and feel everything that happens, including sounds, sensations in the feet and hands, and smells. You gradually become calmer.

Method 2 of 2: Preparing for an Adult

1. 1 Ask your doctor why you are looking for this procedure. The tonsils are an important organ that protects the body from bacteria and viruses. The doctor may prescribe the removal of the tonsils for the following reasons:
   • Your tonsils often become inflamed. For example, you will have to remove your tonsils if you have had 7 infections in the past year and more than 5 infections in each year in the previous two years, or more than three infections in each year in the last three years.
   • Your tonsils are inflamed and not responding to antibiotic treatment.
   • An abscess has formed in your tonsils. The doctor may try to pump the pus out of them, but if that doesn't work, the tonsils will have to be removed.
   • Your tonsils have increased in size, making it difficult for you to swallow and breathe, especially when you sleep.
   • Cancer has developed in the tonsils.
   • The tonsils bleed frequently.
2. 2 Talk to your doctor about the potential risks. The doctor must know your medical history in order to properly plan the procedure itself and the postoperative care. Give your doctor a complete list of the drugs you are taking (including those sold without a prescription), herbs, minerals, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are taking so the doctor can check to see if any drugs will interact with anesthesia. Talk to your doctor about the following risks:
   • Reaction to anesthesia. If you have had anesthesia before and you have a reaction to it, tell your doctor. In response to anesthesia, headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain may develop. If you know that you have had reactions to anesthesia in the past, it will be easier for the doctor to plan your surgery and take into account the characteristics of your body so that the reaction does not recur.
   • Swelling. After surgery, the tongue and upper palate may swell. If you are worried about this, ask your doctor how you will be monitored during surgery and if you can tell someone that you have difficulty breathing due to the swelling.
   • Bleeding. Sometimes patients bleed heavily during or after surgery if the crust comes off the wound before the wound is completely healed. If you are taking medications that thin the blood, tell your doctor. These drugs also include drugs that contain aspirin, which affects blood clotting. Your doctor will ask you if you or your family members have a bleeding disorder.
   • Infections. They are rare, but they are possible. Ask what post-operative procedures will protect you from infections. If you are allergic to medications, especially antibiotics, your doctor should be aware of this.
3. 3 Ask your doctor what to expect. Most often, tonsillectomy is performed on an outpatient basis, which means you don't have to spend the night in the hospital. You will be given pain relief (local or general) so that you do not feel pain. The doctor will remove the tonsils with a cutting instrument, an instrument that will apply cold, heat, or laser or sound waves to the tissue. No stitches are required. You must clearly understand what you should do in preparation. Your doctor may recommend the following:
   • Do not take any aspirin medication for at least two weeks before your surgery. Aspirin will increase your risk of bleeding.
   • Do not eat anything the evening before your surgery. An empty stomach is required for anesthesia.
4. 4 Prepare for the recovery period. Most often, a person needs 10-14 days to recover. Take your time, especially if you are an adult. Adults recover more slowly than children. Do a few simple things to make your recovery easier.
   • Ask someone in advance to drive you to the hospital and home.This must be done, because before the operation you will be too nervous, and after that you will be under the influence of anesthesia.
   • Ask your doctor what pain relievers you can take after your surgery. Usually, after tonsillectomy is done, it hurts the throat, ears, jaw, or neck. Buy the drugs you need in advance and put them in a prominent place.
   • Buy soft, bland food. You should have applesauce, broth, ice cream, and pudding in your fridge. These products will not touch the wound if swallowed. Do not eat foods that are crunchy, hard, sour, or spicy, as they can touch the wound or even cause bleeding.
   • Buy some popsicles and put them in the freezer. You will need to drink more fluids, even if it hurts to swallow. If you are uncomfortable drinking water, try popsicles. The cold will ease the sore throat.
   • Cancel all cases. Try to get as much sleep as possible after surgery. Stay away from sick people, as you will be especially susceptible to infectious diseases while recovering from surgery. Don't return to school or work until you can eat well, sleep at night, and take pain relievers. Do not play sports that require vigorous movement (jogging, cycling, football) for 14 days after surgery.
5. 5 Ask your doctor what symptoms you should look out for after surgery. Your doctor will most likely tell you to call an ambulance if you notice any of the following symptoms:
   • Bleeding. Don't worry if you notice traces of caked blood on your lips or nose. However, if you see fresh blood, it indicates existing bleeding. Call a doctor.
   • High temperature (39 ° C and above).
   • Dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include more frequent urination, thirst, weakness, headache, nausea, dizziness, and dark or cloudy urine. A baby may be dehydrated if they urinate less than three times a day or if they don't cry when they cry.
   • Shortness of breath. If you snore or breathe heavily, that's okay. However, if you find it difficult to breathe, call an ambulance.
6. 6 Get enough sleep to reduce your anxiety. Lack of sleep deprives a person of the ability to resist stress and makes him more susceptible to it. Getting the right amount of sleep will help your immune system work as efficiently as possible.
   • Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. If you are very nervous, you need even more sleep.
   • Get enough sleep before surgery.
7. 7 Get the support of friends and family. They will surround you with love, care and allow you to speak out. During operations, the attention of loved ones brings many benefits to patients.
   • If your family and friends live far away from you, communicate with them via email, phone, Skype and social networks.
8. 8 Use techniques that deal with stress. These techniques will help you keep your emotions in check and give you a break from your worries. Try different methods to find out which is right for you:
   • Self-massage
   • Deep breathing
   • Meditation
   • Qigong
   • Music therapy
   • Yoga
   • Visualization

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