Post-Operative Surgical Instructions Plano, TX

Activity

Restrict activities the day of and after surgical treatment. Typically patients return to work, school, etc the following day. It is in your best interest not to participate in any physical activities such as sports or an exercise for five days after the surgery. No lifting over 10 LBS.

Medications

You may experience discomfort after the anesthetic wears off. Please take the pain medication prescribed for you as needed. If discomfort persists after taking the prescribed medication. You may alternate between 3 ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and the prescribed medication every 4-6 hours. Take all medications with a full glass of water or food.

You may be given a prescription for an antiniotic. You should take the medications as directed for the number of days indicated. If itching, skin rash, or diarrhea occurs, discontinue the medication and call the office. Consult your pharmacist or doctor if you questions arise.

DO NOT combine alcohol, tranquilizers or sleeping pills with any medications.

Antibiotics can reduce or cancel effects of oral contraception (birth control pills).

Sutures

Sutures will be placed to hold the tissue in place during healing. Depending on the procedure, you may have sutures that dissolve on their own or you may have some that will stay there until removed. If you have dissolvable sutures, it is not an emergency. If you have sutures that are not supposed to dissolve (usually blue-colored sutures) that become undone early, please call the office.

Initial Healing

Swelling may occur and increase in the first few days. This is your body’s natural healing response. Swelling can be reduced by applying an ice pack on the face near the surgical site for the first 48 hours (20 min. on and 10 min off). This is most effective when used immediately after the surgery.

Some bleeding or oozing is normal and should be expected for the first 24 hours after the surgery. If moderate-excessive bleeding is noted, apply firm pressure with damp gauze or a damp tea bag to the area for 20 minutes. If the bleeding cannot be controlled please call the office. Remember, most of the blood you may see in your mouth is actually a little bit of blood mixed with a lot of saliva—blood is a very strong “dye” and a little blood will color your saliva dramatically.

Sometimes you may experience bruising at the surgical site of IV puncture site. Although rare, the presence of bruising is not serious and does not usually cause more pain. If you bruise, treat it like any other bruise by using warm compresses to break up the bruise.

Special Cases

Soft Tissue Grafting – A removable hard plastic stent may be fabricated to act as a rigid bandage. We ask that you wear this for at least 4 days as much as you can. Afteerwards, wear the stent when eating only if you still have discomfort. DO NOT try to look at the graft site by pulling on your lips or cheeks. This will cause the graft to fail!

Sinus Grafting – If you have sinus grafting, it is imperative that you DO NOT blow your nose on the side(s) of the surgery for the first several weeks as this can dislodge the graft. It is also common for you to have some sinus congestion and/or nasal bleeding from the side of the sinus graft anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery. Please use a decongestant (like Sudafed) and a nasal spray as directed. For the first 2 weeks, sleep inclined by propping yourhead up with 2 pillows.

Oral Hygiene

Do not brush your teeth or floss in the area where the surgery was performed for two weeks. After two weeks, you may brush the surgical areas gently with a manual toothbrush. Please make sure the toothbrush you have is a soft bristle toothbrush. As for flossing, the surgical area, we will let you know when it is appropraite to resume flossing. DO NOT use an electric toothbrush until you are directed to do so.

If a special rinse has been prescribed or recommended, begin by rinsing twice a day for two week starting the day after surgery. Soak the surgical area, but do not rinse vigorously. Make sure you do not eat, drink, or brush 30 minutes after using the rinse. Be aware the rinse may stain your teeth, stain your tongue, and alter taste. However, the stain is easily removed, and the taste alteration will resolve after discontinuation of the rinse.

Emergencies

If you have an emergency, please call the office during normal business hours or your doctor if it is after hours.

• OFFICE: 972-535-6555

If no one is able to answer, please leave a message: our staff and doctors check messages frequently.

Shopping List For Soft Foods

First Day: Soft/Cold

• Ice Cream
• Jello
• Pudding
• Milk Shakes
• Smoothies (NO SEEDS)
• Apple Sauce
• Protein shakes
• Ensure

2nd – 5th Day: Soft/Warm

• Mashed Potatoes
• Pasta
• Eggs
• Soup
• Rice

6th Day: Normal Food
but continue to chew on the opposite side of the surgery site.

• Hot (can cause bleeding)
• Hard/ crispy/ crunchy food
• Carbonated beverages (can dissolve sutures too quickly)
• NO drinking with a straw

Avoid For Two Weeks

• Hot (can cause bleeding)
• Spicy
• Hard/crispy/crunchy foods
• Carbonated beverages (can dissolve sutures too quickly)
• NO drinking through a straw
• NO smoking
• NO spitting