Question:
Any post-rny precautions for other surgeries such as a tonsillectomy?

I'm 8 months post-rny and I may need to get my tonsils out. I realize that docs need to be careful of any NG tubes but are there any other considerations? I heard you loose alot of blood with this surgery. Can I bank my own blood ahead of time in case I need a transfusion? My dentist told me that "they pack you pretty well (for the bleeding)." What does this "packing" mean, they stuff things in your throat? That would make me barf. Would I be more likely to have complications, as an rny patient? Someone also told me that the pain of a tonsillectomy is alot worse when you're a "grown-up" having the surgery. Any other grown-ups out there who had their tonsils out?    — lalasmommy (posted on January 25, 2002)

January 25, 2002
Hi - I am a "grown-up" that had her tonsils out at age 33. And it took me two weeks before I felt semi-normal. I had a lot of soreness/pain....they say it is due to the scare tissue we develop over the years of strep/tonsilitis/etc. Good Luck....Karan
   — chance2lv

January 25, 2002
Yes you can give blood ahead of time in case you need a transfusion. Some docs use the packing, and some don't, it's just their personal preference. Some use this thing that looks like a baloon that stays in your nasal cavity for a few days to add pressure to contain the bleeding, but unfortunately most still use the packing. The packing is gauze that they stick in your nose all the way back to your throat to help with adding pressure and absorbing all of the blood. But to be honest, it is pretty nasty :(
   — [Anonymous]