Surgical Instructions
For In-Office Oral Surgery
Post-Surgery Instructions - Click to Download Instructions
For your surgery:
- Wear loose clothing; short sleeves if possible
- Pick up your post-operative medications before your surgery
- Minors must have signed consent from their legal guardians
- Payment is due at this time.
For your surgery if you are going to sleep:
-
A TOTALLY empty stomach (not even water) for 6 hours prior to your surgery time, except for any important medications taken with minimal water
- Bring your driver who must remain for the procedure
-
Plan to stay home and rest for the remainder of the day. Definitely NO driving!
For Orthognathic Surgery
1. Facial swelling will increase for
the first 48-72 hours. Apply ice packs (protect your
skin with a thin towel or wash cloth) and keep the head
elevated. Packaged frozen peas make an ice pack that
adapts well to the contours of the face. Most of the
swelling will resolve within the first few weeks.
Resolution of the remaining swelling may take several
months.
2. Bruising may occur after a few days.
The bruising may sometimes extend onto the upper chest.
3. Nasal congestion and minor nosebleed is expected
if you have had upper jaw surgery. You may “sniff back”
or wipe, but do not blow your nose. You may use a saline
nasal spray to loosen clots and mucous. A
non-prescription nasal decongestant spray may be used
for severe congestion, but overuse will increase the
congestion.
4. Brush the teeth gently with a
small soft bristle toothbrush. You may use toothpaste.
Your upper gums will have reduced sensation if you have
had upper jaw surgery. Be careful not to injure the gums
while brushing.
5. You may use a mouth rinse.
6. While jaw motion is restricted during the first
one to two post-operative weeks, meals may include
liquids such as juice, broth, milk products (including
Lactaid, soy, rice products), and meal replacement
drinks. It is generally easier to sip directly from a
cup. This may seem difficult at first, but with some
practice it will become easier. Your surgeon will advise
you when it is safe to advance to a blended diet of
pudding, yogurt, Jello, and a variety of meals of
similar consistency. You should try to have 4-6 meals a
day to be sure that you are receiving ample nutrition
and hydration. Your surgeon will advise you when it is
safe to begin chewing.
7. No smoking.
8.
You may shower, but if there are external dressings they
must be kept dry. They may be replaced with a small
Band-Aid if necessary.
9. If your teeth are
rubber banded together, limit your jaw motion until you
have been instructed to begin jaw motion exercises. The
rubber bands may be cut with scissors in the very
unlikely event of a true breathing emergency (notify
your surgeon afterward).
10. Please notify your
doctor if you feel that your bite has shifted.
11. Postoperative medications must only be taken as
prescribed. You should not drive if you are taking
narcotic pain medication.
12. Light activity is
acceptable, even good. Try to be out of bed during the
daytime.
13. If there are any questions or
concerns, please contact our office at
818-993-3700
during regular office hours, and 818-825-0140
after-hours.
After Surgically-Assisted
Rapid Palatal Expansion
(Printable Version)
1. Facial swelling will
increase for the first 48-72 hours. Apply ice
packs (protect your skin with a thin towel or
wash cloth) and keep the head elevated. Packaged
frozen peas make an ice pack that adapts well to
the contours of the face. Most of the swelling
will resolve within the first few weeks.
Resolution of the remaining swelling may take
several months.
2. Bruising may occur
after a few days. The bruising may sometimes
extend onto the upper chest.
3. Nasal
congestion and minor nosebleed is expected. You
may “sniff back” or wipe, but do not blow your
nose. You may use a saline nasal spray to loosen
clots and mucous. A non-prescription nasal
decongestant spray may be used for severe
congestion, but overuse will increase the
congestion.
4. Starting four days after
surgery, activate the expander twice daily as
instructed.
5. Brush the teeth gently
with a small soft bristle toothbrush. You may
use toothpaste. Your upper gums will have
reduced sensation. Be careful not to injure the
gums while brushing.
6. You may use a
mouth rinse.
7. Meals may include
liquids and soft food. You may sense some motion
in your upper jaw when you press your teeth
together. This is normal and temporary.
8. No smoking.
9. Postoperative
medications must only be taken as prescribed.
You should not drive if you are taking narcotic
pain medication.
10. Light activity is
acceptable, even good. Try to be out of bed
during the daytime.
11. If there are any
questions or concerns, please contact our office
at 818-993-3700 during regular office hours, and
818-825-0140 after-hours.
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