Microsoft word - post-op - max surgery.doc

northern virginia center
oral, facial & implant surgery
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
We would like to thank you for choosing us to perform your Oral, Facial and or Implant Surgery. We are committed to providing quality post-operative care fol owing your surgical procedures. Therefore, we have provided some basic post-operative care instructions; please refer to them to assist you through this recovery period. In addition, feel free to contact the office at any time, there is a surgeon on cal 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year (703) 449-8888. Some degree of discomfort and pain arises as the numbness subsides. At the first sign of pain or discomfort, take the Motrin 800 mg as prescribed or take (2-4) 200mg Advil/Ibuprofen/Motrin, if you cannot take NSAIDS products, then take (2) 365mg Tylenol/Acetaminophen. Repeat every 6-8 hours as necessary. If the pain is not relieved, then you may take the prescribed pain medication, but only in smal doses and only after eating some food. All pain medications have the ability to cause severe nausea and vomiting, hence, it is very important that you have some food in your stomach TO REPEAT, take Motrin/Ibuprofen 600 mg as prescribed or (2-4tabs) 200mg
Advil/Ibuprofen/Motrin as the numbness wears off. Do not take the prescribed narcotic pain medicine unless absolutely necessary. DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA OF SURGERY. The first stages of healing are
aided by placing tissues at rest. Avoid vigorous chewing, excessive spitting, or rinsing for the first 24hrs. as initial healing may be delayed, active bleeding restarted, or Expect minor bleeding or OOZING from the operative site. This bleeding may
continue throughout the first day. For the first hour, keep firm pressure on the
area of surgery by biting on the gauze sponge placed in your mouth at the office. If bleeding persists, continue constant pressure on a fresh gauze sponge for an additional 30 minutes. Biting on a moist tea bag wrapped in gauze may help control persistent oozing from the surgical site. Tea has an ingredient cal ed tannin that promotes blood If active bleeding should recur at any time, carefully rinse your mouth with cold water and apply a fresh gauze sponge to the bleeding site. Firm pressure for 15-30 minutes usually controls the problem. Should active bleeding persist, please call the office (703)449-8888; or contact the Doctor’s pager after hours: Dr. Doriot’s pager (703)218-7343; Dr. Shami’s pager (703)213-2247 LIMIT STRENOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY during the first week after surgery.
Over exertion may lead to postoperative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down, keep your head elevated at least 45 degrees on a pil ow. PAIN FOLLOWING ORAL & FACIAL SURGERY To limit the amount of pain,
you should take Motrin/Ibuprofen 800 mg or (2-4 tabs) 200mg Advil/Motrin/Ibuprofen or (2tabs) 365mg Tylenol/Acetaminophen before the numbness wears off. If you have to take the prescribed narcotic pain medication, remember to have some food intake prior to ingesting and to start slowly. Please do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking prescription pain medication. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable before using some form of pain medication, as then it wil be more difficult to control. Moderate to severe pain usual y does not last longer than 24-72 hours, sometimes
peaking on the 3rd postoperative day. Relief should begin on the 4th post-operative
day. Persistent or increasing pain 3-5 days fol owing oral surgery may be caused by early loss of the blood clot (dry socket) or infection. If you feel that this may be happening to you, please contact us so the surgical site may be re-evaluated. SWELLING RELATED TO THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE usual y develops
during the first 12-24 hours fol owing surgery, often peaking on the 3rd post-operative day. It should begin to subside by the 4th day after your surgery. Swelling can be minimized a great deal by wearing an ice pack on the side of your face for 30-45 minutes every hour while you are awake during the first 24 hours fol owing the surgery, unless you receive special instructions. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as Motrin/Advil/Ibuprofen and Steroids (if prescribed), also may help decrease swelling. FLUID INTAKE/NUTRITION IS VERY IMPORTANT. I suggest you start with
clear carbonated beverages, such as ginger ale, Seven-Up, or Sprite. Once your stomach has settled, you can advance to other fluids such as water, teas, soda, broth, soups, or juices as tolerated. Please avoid hot liquids until the numbness has worn off, and the bleeding has stopped. You should try to maintain a normal fluid balance, to assist in the healing process, please contact us if you have any questions regarding your post- AVOID USING A STRAW to ingest milk-shakes or thick beverages, as it may cause
the blood clot to dislodge and delay healing. A straw is OK for liquids such as water, ginger ale etc…, but try to avoid generating excessive negative pressure. FOOD SELECTION is largely a matter of your choice. Soft, cool foods that
require little or no chewing are most easily tolerated initial y. A nutritious diet throughout your healing process is very important to your comfort and to assist your immune system. Since you wil be taking medication, it is important to remember that eating can prevent nausea sometimes associated with certain medications.
If vomiting occurs please do not ingest water after you vomit, use an acidic beverage to return your stomach to an acidic level, water will only encourage further vomiting, ginger ale or sprite are recommended, please Contact the office if excessive nausea and vomiting continues Once your stomach is settled, soups, broiled fish, stewed chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and cooked vegetables can be added to your diet as your comfort indicates. Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast and/or yogurt supply excellent added nutrition. You are strongly encouraged to add a Multivitamin to your post-operative Take any special medication such as antibiotics we have prescribed on the specified
dosing schedule. Yogurt with active cultures or acidophilus should be taken while
on antibiotics to prevent diarrhea. It is important to take the antibiotics to completion (as directed). If you are given antibiotics and take birth control pil s, you should be aware that the birth control pil may become ineffective, therefore please consider
Take any regularly scheduled medication (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) on your regular schedule unless advised to do otherwise. TRY TO AVOID SMOKING COMPLETELY, as it tends to slow the healing
process and may also contribute to development of a dry socket, infection, or increased DO NOT DRIVE AN AUTOMOBILE for 24 hours fol owing surgery if you have
had general anesthesia, or if you are taking prescription narcotic pain medication. THE DAY FOLLOWING SURGERY AND THEREAFTER
On the morning of the day fol owing surgery, rinse your mouth carefully with the
solution made by adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a large glass of warm water.
Repeat three times a day for 1 week postoperatively. Resume brushing any remaining teeth and your regular oral hygiene as soon as possible. Do not avoid brushing the area as this wil cause more inflammation in the area. Please do not use a syringe or Water Pik® to aggressively rinse during the first week. This can dislodge the blood clot. Do not worry about the stitches. Stitches (also known as sutures) are usual y
placed to control bleeding, aid healing and help prevent food from col ecting in the surgical site - - especial y for lower teeth. The sutures we use dissolve in 5-7 days and typically do not require removal.
Any swelling, soreness, or stiffness in the jaw muscles can be relieved by applying
a warm moist towel to the affected side of the face several times a day. Moist heat should be used after the first 24 hours. If swelling, tenderness, or pain should increase after the first 3 days postoperatively, please contact the office. Sometimes a soft diet may be necessary for the first few days fol owing surgery. Most patients are able to resume regular food intake within a short time. Bruising marks may appear on the skin of the face during the first few days after
surgery. Moist heat application wil help relieve this condition. A slight elevation in temperature or fever is normal in the 1st 24-48 hours
Sensitivity may develop in the adjacent areas to the surgical site, especial y if a tooth
or teeth were surgical y removed, adjacent teeth may become sensitive, this wil resolve An earache may develop, this is referred pain and can be felt anywhere in the facial
region after surgery, it is normal and wil resolve shortly. A sore throat may develop.
If the corners of the mouth were stretched during surgery, they may become dry and crack, keep your lips moist during the post-operative period to prevent this
Faithful compliance with these instructions will add to your comfort and hasten
your recovery. Be sure to fol ow these instructions carefully. Only in this way wil you avoid
the complications which lead to unnecessary discomfort and delayed recovery. Should any undue reaction or complications arise, notify the office immediately. If you need to contact us after office hours, please call the surgeon on call:

Dr. Doriot’s PAGER (703) 218-7343
Dr. Shami’s PAGER (703) 213-2247
We make every attempt to answer the emergency pager as promptly as possible. Occasional y, your messages do not reach the pager. If you do not hear from the doctor on cal within one- half hour, please cal back and page the doctor again. Do this until your page has been

Source: http://www.thenvc.com/pdf/Post-op-Max-Surgery.pdf