Everyone has small glands on each side of the throat (tonsils) and at the top of the throat behind the nose (adenoids). A tonsillectomy (ton-sil-ek-toe-mee) is surgery to remove the tonsils, while an adenoidectomy (ad-uh-noid-ek-toe-mee) is surgery to remove the adenoids. A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy done together is also commonly referred to as a T&A.

Care at home

You will be given discharge care instructions when you leave the hospital. Follow these instructions carefully. They will cover information including:

• what your child can eat and drink
• managing your child’s nausea and vomiting
• pain management
• symptoms to look out for that will require medical advice
• any follow-up appointments your child will need to have.

It usually takes three weeks before healing is complete. Many children need two weeks home from child care, kindergarten or school.