Pre-Surgical Instructions
When you schedule your oral surgery, the doctor will discuss your specific pre-surgical instructions with you. Here are some of the recommendations you will likely receive to best prepare for your procedure.
Pre-Operative Instructions for Your Surgical Procedure
- Any patients under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the time of surgery.
- Contact lenses, jewelry, and watches should be removed before surgery.
- Please remove any nail polish.
- If you take regular medications, discuss them with your doctor at the consultation.
- Please have ice packs and Advil, Motrin, or Tylenol available at home after the oral procedure to reduce any pain and swelling.
- Use of tobacco products must be avoided at least two days prior to and at least three days after surgery.
- If there is a possibility that you could be pregnant, your health history has changed, or you have other concerns since your last visit, please let the anesthesia care team and your surgeon know before you come in for surgery.
- We recommend wearing comfortable and loose-fitting clothing and flat-soled shoes or sneakers.
- Do not apply any make-up, perfume, lotions, or cologne on the day of your procedure.
- Please make sure to brush your teeth and rinse thoroughly before surgery.
- Alcohol should be avoided at least 24 hours before and seven days after your procedure.
- Please do NOT use any recreational drugs or smoke marijuana at least 48 hours before and three days after the procedure.
- Avoid blood thinners for a week prior to surgery based on your physicians recommendation.
Please assist our office by providing the following information before surgery:
Notify our office if you have any medical conditions that may be of concern prior to your procedure (i.e., diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are presently on any medication (i.e., heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.). We should also be notified of current dietary supplements you may be using. Please make sure to provide us with the contact information of all your doctors.
Pre-Surgery Instructions
In addition to the above instructions, it is essential that patients follow these instructions to minimize the risks associated with using anesthesia for surgery.
Patients having IV Sedation:
- Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours before surgery, with the exception of plain water. You can drink plain water up to 4 hours before surgery. If you need to take certain medications, please only take them with a small amount of water (100ml). If you have questions, please contact our office. We also reserve the right to cancel or postpone the procedure if instructions are not followed correctly.
- Sedation patients must arrange a ride to and from our office on the day of your surgical procedure, as they will not be able to drive after surgery or operate machinery. Please inform your driver that they will need to wait in the reception room during surgery.
- Please familiarize yourself with the suggested foods on the below food list. It is important to have them on hand after your surgery.
- Please have a responsible adult or family member at home to care for you on the day of surgery.
- For mothers breastfeeding, please be aware that you will not be able to do so for 12 hours after iv sedation. Please consult your lactation consultant or pediatrician if you need further guidance.
What Can I Eat After Oral Surgery?
Patients who are well prepared for their oral surgery procedure usually have a smoother recovery. We recommend patients plan ahead and purchase soft food items prior to their surgery.
The following are examples of soft food items:
- Hearty Soups (cream of asparagus, lentil, minestrone, split pea, chili)
- Juice (cranberry, apple, grape) avoid citrus juice for a few days
- Herbal Tea
- Jell-O
- Yogurt (soft or frozen)
- Cottage Cheese
- Pudding or Custard
- Soft Fruit (banana, papaya, berries, canned peaches, or pears)
- Applesauce
- Popsicles
- Ice Cream and Milkshakes
- Fresh Cooked Vegetables
- Fruit Smoothies and Protein Shakes
- Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat
- Eggs (scrambled, soft boiled, omelets, egg salad)
- Mashed Potatoes
- Rice or Risotto
- Tofu
- Pasta (plain or with sauce)
- Fish (soft white fish like sole, trout, snapper)
