American Head & Neck Society

Advancing Education, Research, and Quality of Care for the Head and Neck oncology patient.

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What should I expect after surgery?

You may go home from the hospital the same day after waking up from anesthesia, or you may
stay in the hospital for monitoring.

You will be provided with information and instructions by your surgeon and/or the facility where
you have surgery. The following are some general expectations, but you should follow specific
instructions provided by your surgeon.

Pain control: you will likely have some discomfort of the surgical site and will likely get a
prescription for a narcotic to help with pain control. You may be able to avoid taking the
narcotic by taking over the counter pain medication such as acetaminophen instead. Taking the
smallest dose of narcotic for the shortest time possible helps to avoid addiction. Carefully follow
any instructions on the medicine bottles and from your surgeon. Your surgeon will let you know
when it is ok to take medications that thin your blood such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Diet: you may have nausea, a sore throat, and pain with chewing, so a bland, soft diet may help
for a few days, however there are no foods you cannot eat.

Wound care and infection control: Your incision may be covered with a dressing or be left open
to air. Follow you surgeon’s instruction about wound care. In general, keep the area clean and
dry. If you have a drain, you will be taught how to take care of this.

Activity: do not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk or do any hard exercise for 7 days.
Light activity, such as taking a walk, is helpful.

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News and Announcements

  • AHNS YMCP Episode 11 – Melina Windon, MD, Janice Farlow, MD, Eric Gantwerker, MD May 8, 2025
  • Artificial Intelligence in Management of H&N Cancer: New Horizons Presented April 28, 2025
  • A conversation with Dr. Uppaluri: Neoadjuvant Therapy for Advanced H&N Mucosal April 25, 2025
  • The End of April Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month Approaches! April 23, 2025
  • April is National CBD Awareness Month! April 21, 2025

AHNS Meetings and Events

AHNS 2025 Annual Meeting
Held during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM)

May 14-18, 2025
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

learn more...

Contact Us

AHNS, 11300 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90064
ph: (310) 437-0559 / fx: (310) 437-0585
[email protected]

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