Pre and Post Operative Care for Oral Surgery in Buffalo Grove

PRE- & POST-OPERATIVE CARE

Whether you're getting ready for surgery or want to know what to expect afterwards, here's how to prepare

    Pre-Operative Care

    Important Instructions Regarding Your Anesthesia

    Local anesthesia will always be given for procedures, but patients may choose any of those listed below as a supplement. Each choice requires different preparation on your part, and for your safety it is important that you read and follow the instructions carefully. If you are unclear about anything, please ask your doctor.

    FOR ALL PROCEDURES, please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Top/shirts should have sleeves that are easily drawn up above the elbow. Nail polish should be removed before surgery, and apply as little makeup as possible. If you take blood thinners, please call us to discuss how to manage them. 

    LOCAL ANESTHESIA will produce a numb feeling in the area being operated on and a feeling of pressure during surgery. You will be awake and recall the surgery, but there should be no significant discomfort

    1. Have a light meal a few hours prior to surgery.
    2. You may drive yourself home but for more extensive procedures you may wish to have someone drive you.
    3. Plan to rest for a few hours after surgery.
    4. If you prefer to listen to your own music, feel free to bring your iPod, MP3 player or phone with small earphones 

    Intravenous Anesthesia/Intravenous Sedation/General Anesthesia

    Medications are given through a vein in your arm or hand, which will cause total relaxation. Typically, there will be very little recall (if any) of the events surrounding surgery.

    1. Do not eat or drink anything (including water) for six (6) hours prior to surgery. 
    2. It is important that you take any other regular medications (high blood pressure, antibiotics, etc.) or any pre-medication prescription that we have provided, using only a small sip of water.  Please ask if you are unsure whether you should take your medication before surgery. 
    3. You must have someone responsible drive you home. 
    4. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Do not drive, operate power tools, machinery, etc., or make important decisions for 24 hours after surgery.

    Use of undisclosed drugs (illegal or legal) can lead to severe injury or death with anesthesia.  Advise the doctor or staff of any history of use, particularly within seven (7) days of surgery.

    Our goal is to provide you with a safe, pleasant and effective anesthetic. In order to do this, it is imperative we have your full cooperation. Please feel free to ask or call about any questions concerning your surgery or anesthetic.

    Post-Operative Care

    To minimize pain and other effects from surgery, follow these rules:

    1. AFTER YOUR SURGERY: Do not disturb the wound with fingers or by sucking on it. Bite firmly on gauze for 45 minutes without changing it. Keep swallowing the saliva in the mouth. Remove the gauze after 45 minutes. The saliva may be tinged with blood for 24-48 hours, but the saliva should be swallowed as the motion of spitting may precipitate bleeding. Do not spit. Do not use a straw.

    2. PAIN: Two Tylenol or Advil tablets should be taken before the effects of the local anesthetic disappear. Thereafter, one or two tablets every 4 - 6 hours may be taken as needed. Medication given by prescription should be taken as directed on the label, and also started before the effect of the local anesthetic disappears. Avoid taking medications on an empty stomach. It sometimes helps to eat a clear broth with crackers or tea with toast to prevent an upset stomach. Greasy food should be avoided for 12 hours. See specific food guidelines below.

    3. SWELLING: To help minimize future swelling, use an ice bag, half-hour on and half-hour off for the first 24-48 hours following a surgical procedure. The maximum amount of swelling normally occurs after 36-48 hours. Moist heat compresses may be used after 48 hours.

    4. BLEEDING: Some bleeding is normal following all procedures for 24-48 hours. However, excessive bleeding should be controlled. Place gauze or a moist tea bag over the wound. Hold firmly for 40-60 minutes by closing teeth. Replace the gauze and maintain pressure on the wounds for another 60 minutes. If bleeding does not subside after a reasonable length of time, call us for further instructions. There is a doctor on call 24 hours a day and he may be reached by calling 847-276-2500.

    5. DIET: Following routine extractions, a liquid or puree diet (e.g. soup, blended foods) and food supplements (e.g. Sustacal, Ensure, Nutriment, etc.) should be consumed for the first 24 hours. Do not use a straw. After that, progress to a soft diet unless otherwise specified. A normal diet may be gradually resumed as tolerated.

    6. ORAL HYGIENE: Do not rinse the area of surgery for 4 days. Brushing of all teeth should be resumed but avoid surgical site. After 4 days, rinse gently with salt water at least once a day. Healing will occur more rapidly when good oral hygiene is observed.
    7. PATIENTS WITH DENTURES: If patients have dentures inserted immediately after surgery, they should not remove their dentures until they have seen their dentist, which will normally occur within 48 hours, or unless otherwise instructed. Rinsing with iced salt water, with the dentures in place, several times a day helps maintain good oral hygiene.

    8. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: Keep physical activity to a minimum for the first day. Sports should be avoided for 5 - 7 days unless otherwise instructed.

    9. OTHER INFORMATION: Pain in the ear, difficulty swallowing, difficulty in opening and closing the jaw, and some local discoloration of the skin are additional symptoms that occur with differing frequency. These symptoms are almost always short-term, and should disappear during the regular healing period.