There are several important details about your surgery you should be familiar with.

Surgery on the tonsils and adenoids is usually done during childhood. The surgery becomes more involved as patients get older. This is because the tonsils can develop more scar tissue over time.

Tonsil and/or adenoid surgery requires that the patient be asleep. A flexible breathing tube is passed through the mouth, going down just past the vocal cords. This allows the anesthesia machine to fill the lungs with oxygen while the surgeon is busy working in the back of the throat.

While the patient sleeps, all vital signs, such as heartbeat, oxygen levels and respirations, are continuously monitored. The tonsils are removed using special instruments designed for the procedure. An electric instrument called a "bovie" is used to minimize bleeding.

The adenoids are usually removed using a curved instrument and a small mirror which allows the surgeon to see the adenoids located up under the soft palate.