Pre-Operative Surgery Instructions

General Anesthesia Instructions for Surgery

* There should be no eating or drinking, including water, eight hours before the scheduled time for surgery.
* Your driver must remain in the office during the surgical procedure, stay with you in the recovery room and then, drive you home.
* The person must be a responsible adult.
* You should brush your teeth providing you do not swallow any of the water.
* Please do not wear contact lenses the day of the surgery.
* Please remove all finger/toe nail polish as well as any facial or oral piercings.
* Please wear a short sleeved shirt on the day of surgery so that we may easily place the proper monitors.
* It is important that you take any scheduled medications (high blood pressure, antibiotics, etc.) or any prescription that we may have provided
    for premedication, using only a small sip of water. Any patients who use an inhaler for asthma, please bring it with you on the day of surgery.
    DIABETICS: You will be given specific instructions for procedures requiring fasting and specific instructions regarding your medication intake.
* No driving for 24 hours after surgery.

If you have any questions regarding the surgery, do not hesitate to contact the office.

PLEASE NOTE: NO DAIRY PRODUCTS THE DAY OF SURGERY

Below is a list of several items that might make your post operative recovery more comfortable.

Ice Cubes

Pasta

Rice

Del's

Ravioli

Spagettios

Juice

Mashed Potatoes

Popsicles

Jell-O

Ground up Hamburg

Sherbert

Soups

Scrambled eggs (with water)

Bag of frozen peas (use as cold compress)

Ibuprofen

Oatmeal

Sport Bottle

Post-Operative Instructions

Eating

Adequate food and fluid intake following surgery is very important. You may eat soft foods and drink liquids, but have nothing too hot for the first 12 hours following surgery. Avoid dairy products for the first 24 hours following surgery.

Hygiene

DO NOT RINSE or use the mouthwash for the first 12 hours to allow for clotting. Following the 12 hour period, you should rinse with a salt water solution (1/2 glass warm water with 1/2 teaspoon of salt added). Do this for one week at least six times a day. BRUSH THE REST OF YOUR TEETH. A clean mouth heals faster.

Avoid

Avoid lying down flat. Keep your head elevated on two or more pillows for the first 24 hours after surgery. Avoid all excessive activity for at least the first 48 hours after surgery. Avoid consuming liquids through a straw, alcoholic beverages and smoking until healing is well established. Avoid consuming dairy products for the first 24 hours after surgery.

Swelling

Swelling is normal following oral surgery and depending on the extent of surgery, maximum swelling will not occur for approximately 48 hours following surgery. To help reduce swelling, gently apply ice packs to the outside of your face; 20 minutes on and 10 minutes off. This should continue for the first 48 hours following surgery. On the third post-operative day, the use of warm compresses to your face will help to decrease pain and swelling.

Bleeding

Place the folded gauze directly over the surgical site and bite down (tightly) for 20 minutes with an ice pack on the same side of your face. If bleeding persists, moisten a cotton tea bag (with a folded gauze pad over it) and place it directly over the bleeding area and bite down (tightly) for 20 minutes. Continue to use an ice pack on the same side of your face, and sit upright in a straight chair.

Sutures

The sutures take approximately seven to 10 days to dissolve. It is important that you return to your scheduled recheck appointment as Dr. Elson may elect to remove any remaining sutures that have not dissolved at the time. The doctor will reevaluate you to insure that you are healing properly.

Discomfort

Some discomfort is normal following oral surgery. Take medication which has been prescribed for you as directed. Narcotics can impair you. You SHOULD NOT: drive, operate machinery, or make any important decisions while taking these medications. They may also cause nausea and at the first sign of this symptom should be discontinued. If you experience a dull throbbing ache 72 hours after surgery, you may have what is known as “DRY SOCKET”. These and any other unusual symptoms should be discussed with Dr. Elson. Please call our office weekday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., if you have any questions.

CALLS AFTER BUSINESS HOURS SHOULD BE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY. DR. ELSON OR A COLLEAGE MAY BE REACHED BY CALLING (401) 788-2803.