Why can't you drink out of a straw after a tonsillectomy?

Answer 1

Your throat is raw and has stitches that disolve after a few days. Why would you want to risk re-opening up those stitches causing further pain and bleeding to an already painful throat. It's a bad deal so don't do it.

Answer 2

Drinking After Tonsillectomy

Answer 3

I'm a Pediatric RN and the rules after a T&A are no straws, no grapejuice or any other juice that is red; nothing to drink that is warm. (of course most solid foods including milkshakes usually result in vomiting due to the effects of the general anesthetic). Using straws forms a strong suction that often causes further bleeding at the operative site. Heat also can cause hemorrhaging and a return trip to the operating room. Any fluids red or grape colored including popsicles will make it extremely difficult to determine if the tonsil fossa are oozing blood . Potential hemorrhage must be prevented to avoid aspiration of blood in the lungs, vomitting, or a return trip to the operating room to stop the bleeding. Last but not least, increased irritation of the surgical site will cause increased pain for the patient as well as a delay in healing. Believe me such problems occur only to often. Good luck.

Answer 4

the suction created to get the liquid through the straw can cause any scabs on the back of your throat to dislodge/come off and you could start bleeding again thus needing to go back in to surgery to have the vessles cauterized again. BTW, there are no stitches in a tonsillectomy.. they cauterize the vessels***

Answer 5

the sucking could cause bleeding, it strains the throat

Answer 6

the sucking action will hurt your throat

Answer 7

to not open up wounds caused my sucking

Answer 8

they don't want you sucking....think what that will feel like on your new surgery....yuk!!!