How to Prepare for Tonsil and Adenoid Surgery

Tonsil and adenoid surgery can be scary for kids (and even adults). Your ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, or otolaryngologist, will listen to you and your family, and answer any questions you might have about the procedure and what treatment(s) is best for you.
Tonsil and Adenoid Surgery for Children

When discussing tonsil and/or adenoid surgery with your children, you may want to:

• Talk to your child about their feelings and provide strong reassurance and support.
• Encourage the idea that the procedure will make them better.
• Be with your child as much as possible before and after the surgery.
• Tell them to expect a sore throat after surgery, but that medicines will help it feel better.
• Reassure your child that the operation does not remove any important parts of their body, and that they will not look any different afterward.

It may also be helpful to talk about the surgery with a friend who has had a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, if possible.

WARNING: Children should never be given aspirin because of the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.
Tonsil and Adenoid Surgery for Adults

Before any scheduled surgery, you should consult with your primary care physician to make sure you or your family member are healthy enough for surgery. Your primary care physician may also require certain blood tests.

You should refrain from taking aspirin, or other medications containing aspirin, for at least two weeks before any surgery. In addition, your doctor may ask to you to stop taking other medications that may interfere with clotting…