You may be given an ice pack to minimize swelling.
Do not eat or drink anything for about 2 hours or until you are able to swallow without choking. Start with sips of water and progress to a normal diet when you feel ready.
Do not clear your throat or cough hard for several hours.
If your vocal cords were affected, rest your voice completely for 3 days. Minimize speaking but when you do speak, use your normal voice. Whispering puts more strain on your voice than speaking normally.
You can gargle with salt water or use throat lozenges for your sore throat.
You may sound hoarse for a few weeks or spit small amounts of blood if tissue was removed. Call us if you experience a lot of bleeding.
If nodules or other lesions were removed from your vocal cords, you may have to follow total voice rest (no talking, whispering, or making any other voice sounds) for up to 2 weeks.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 612-465-0123