1. Household confinement and light activities are required for one full week.
2. Discuss return to school/work with your doctor. No physical education or exercise until the doctor checks you after surgery and gives you a date on which these activities can be safely resumed.
3. Tylenol, not aspirin, may be used for pain or fever 2 weeks prior to and after surgery.
4. Do not use gargles or throat sprays.
5. Call if persistent cough or clearing of the throat develops.
6. Ear pain is a common postop symptom. Chewing gum 15 minutes 4 times a day beginning on the day after surgery and continued thereafter may help to relieve this.
7. Avoid large groups of people for 10-14 days after surgery.
8. The pain medication prescribed for you contains Tylenol. Additional plain Tylenol should not be needed. However, for elevated temperature, contact our office for instructions.
9. Plain Tylenol should be used as soon as the patient feels he/she no longer needs the prescription pain reliever.
10. Eating postop can sometimes be challenging, especially in small children. Planning meals 30-45 minutes after a dose of pain medication will often result in better compliance with food intake.
11. If decreased fluid intake occurs, contact our office and monitor for signs and symptoms of dehydration:
    • Decreased or dark concentrated urinary output
    • Elevated temperature
    • Lethargy
    • Skin which feels "dry" to the touch

II. DIET

1. Avoid all crusty or scratchy foods for a full 2 weeks at least.
2. Avoid hot and highly seasoned foods and beverages.
3. Avoid citrus juices (orange, lemon, etc.)
4. Avoid foods/drinks which are red in color.
5. PUSH FLUIDS. This is very important as sufficient fluid intake is crucial to a prompt recovery. Inadequate fluid intake may result in:
   • Dehydration requiring hospitalization
   • Increased risk of bleeding and infection
   • Increased bad breath

6. Avoid food of a very hot or "high temperature".

DIET PROGRESSION

Day of Surgery:

Clear liquids (tea, coke, jello, popsicles, apple juice, broth, etc.)

Day 1 through Day 7:

Any soft foods (cereal, potato, eggs, vegetables, meatloaf, chicken, meat, wieners, bananas, pasta, soup, ice cream, etc.)

Day 7 through Day 10:

Gradually resume regular diet without scratchy foods. The doctor will examine the patient approximately 10 days after surgery and will instruct you on how long dietary restrictions are to be continued.

III. CALL OUR OFFICE IF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:

1. Any sign of bleeding
2. Persistent nausea and any vomiting
3. Persistent cough
4. Ear pain unrelieved by gum or pain medicine
5. Fever greater than 101° and persistent
6. Symptoms of dehydration
7. Any other questions that arise concerning the patient

NOTE: A doctor is on call 24 hours a day. If you have an emergency after office hours, call our office and the doctor "on call" will be paged and return your call promptly.

If calling the office, identify yourself as a postop patient to receptionist so a nurse may promptly return your call.

IV. POSTOP APPOINTMENT

A postop appointment has been reserved for you approximately 10 days after surgery. This appointment must be kept in order for your doctor to safely monitor your recovery from surgery.

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