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SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS

GREAT LAKES ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN

Below are a list of procedures to follow depending on the type of surgery you are scheduled for. Please do not hesitate to call our office, (231) 487-1020 if you have any questions or issues.

Pre Sedation Instructions

RELAX!!! Intravenous sedation is a very safe way to undergo dental (oral surgery) procedures.

The following “rules” will help you be comfortable, and help us keep you safe.
*******Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time.*******

If you are sick or are getting sick (stuffy/runny nose, congestion of any kind, coughing) call us right away to reschedule your appointment

No food or drink (not even water) for 6 (six) hours prior to your surgery.

You may brush your teeth prior to your surgery appointment, just be sure not to swallow anything.

You must have an adult (18 or older) licensed driver with you the day of your appointment. Your driver will need to arrive with you, stay for the duration of the appointment, and take you home. You should also plan to have supervision for up to 24 hours to assist you with medications and treatments. The first 1-2 hours need to be direct supervision.

Many daily medications can be skipped or delayed until after your surgery. Discuss all medications with our staff to see which, if any, need to be taken during the pre-op timeframe.

If you use an inhaler (asthma) please bring it with you, and plan to use it before your treatment.

If you have diabetes, remind us, we will discuss medications and diet for the day of surgery.

If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian must be present to sign all surgical consents, and should be present for the duration of treatment as well.

Have Extra Strength Tylenol and Advil available the day of surgery for pain and comfort.

We require that you do not wear makeup (mascara), nail polish or flip-flops.

Please limit family members to two during the treatment due to our 5 chair waiting room.

Please call before the day of your appointment with any questions so that they can be resolved, and you can “enjoy” your treatment. Help us provide you a “quality product”.

Have these suggested soft foods stocked before your surgery: Eggs, mashed potatoes/gravy, pudding, jello (plain no fruit), ice cream (plain- chunk free), applesauce, soup broth or tomato soup, yogurt (smooth only, no fruit pieces), etc.

Drinks to stock: Clear juices, Gatorade, water, milk, tea etc. (nothing carbonated, avoid juices with pulp). Do not drink out of straws.

Biopsy Post Operative Instructions

Take 2 tablets (1000mg) of Extra Strength Tylenol Pain Reliever (Acetaminophen) ASAP. Two hours later take 2 tablets (400mg) of Advil (Ibuprofen or Motrin). You will alternate medications every two hours. Example: Tylenol 12:00pm, Advil 2:00pm, Tylenol 4:00pm, Advil 6:00pm. If given a prescription pain reliever, and you decide that you need it, wait to take it 4+ hours after you have taken the Tylenol. Make sure you take the medication with food to avoid nausea or irritation.

To minimize swelling, ice packs are permitted for 10-20 minutes per hour for the first 24 hours only. Use warm compresses after the 24 hour period to help with swelling and pain. Swelling is normal after surgery and may increase for up to 72 hours after surgery.

For the next 3-5 days try to stick to soft foods. Absolutely no salty, spicy, or sharp ended foods (such as chips and salsa). Also no carbonated drinks or large bites that could stretch the area or damage the stitches.

Rinse with warm salt water after each time you eat. Again, swish very gently to not stretch the area or damage the stitches.

If provided any gauze, please keep in place for 30-40 minutes after appointment. After that, there is no reason to reapply anymore gauze.

Post Operative Instructions

Keep gauze on surgical area with a firm (not hard) bite for 30 minutes after you leave. If bleeding persists heavily, wet the gauze we provided and put back onto the surgical site for another 30 minutes. There will be the taste of blood for a day or two which is normal.

Take 2 tablets (1000mg) of Extra Strength Tylenol Pain Reliever (Acetaminophen) ASAP. Two hours later take 2 tablets (400mg) of Advil (Ibuprofen or Motrin). You will alternate medications every two hours. Example: Tylenol 12:00pm, Advil 2:00pm, Tylenol 4:00pm, Advil 6:00pm. If given a prescription pain reliever, and you decide that you need it, wait to take it 4+ hours after you have taken the Tylenol. Make sure you take the medication with food to avoid nausea.

To minimize swelling, ice packs are permitted for 10-20 minutes per hour for the first 24 hours only. Use warm compresses after the 24 hour period to help with swelling and pain. Swelling is normal after surgery and may increase for up to 72 hours after surgery.
Starting the day after surgery, for a minimum of 3 times a day for 15 minutes, you need to use warm compresses and gently massage the sides of your face. As you are massaging, open and close your mouth. Open bigger and bigger each time. The more you do this exercise the faster you will feel better.

Do not brush your teeth the day of surgery! You may brush your teeth the next day but be very careful around the surgical area. Gently rinse with water and let it drain out into the sink.

Absolutely no smoking of ANY kind! You will get a dry socket and/or infection!

Do not spit forcefully, or suck through a straw for 7-10 days after surgery. Swallow any excess saliva before it accumulates in your mouth.

Starting on Day 2 you will need to rinse gently with warm salt water after every food exposure for 7 days following the surgery. Do not spit out the water. Just let the water fall out of your mouth into the sink and wipe remaining from your mouth with a towel.

“Rule of Thumb” – For the next 7-10 days – If you have to bite it, chew it, or it will turn to pieces in your mouth you cannot eat it. Smooth foods that you can just swallow are allowed. Oatmeal is not ok; it turns into pieces in your mouth. Absolutely no carbonated drinks. Everything you eat or drink the first 24 hours has to be at room temperature or cooler. Nothing hot.

Examples of food you can eat:
Jell-O
Mashed Potatoes
Pudding
Gravy (strained)
Plain Ice Cream
Soup or Broth
Yogurt (no fruit)
Tomato Soup
Spaghetti-O’s
Malt-O-Meal
Ramen Noodles
Apple Sauce
Scrambled Eggs
Go-Gurt

Examples of drinks:
Juices (pulp free)
Milk
Water
Gatorade
PowerAde
Kool-aid
Coffee/Tea

Implant Post-Operative Instructions

Keep gauze on surgical area with a firm (not hard) bite for 30 minutes after you leave. If bleeding persists heavily, wet the gauze we provided and put back onto the surgical site for another 30 minutes. There will be the taste of blood for a day or two which is normal.

Take 2 tablets (1000mg) of Extra Strength Tylenol Pain Reliever (Acetaminophen) ASAP. Two hours later take 2 tablets (400mg) of Advil (Ibuprofen or Motrin). You will alternate medications every two hours. Example: Tylenol 12:00pm, Advil 2:00pm, Tylenol 4:00pm, Advil 6:00pm. If given a prescription pain reliever, and you decide that you need it, wait to take it 4+ hours after you have taken the Tylenol. Make sure you take the medication with food to avoid nausea.

You were given a prescription for antibiotics, please take as directed until they are gone.

To minimize swelling, ice packs are permitted for 10-20 minutes per hour for the first 24 hours only. Use warm compresses after the 24 hour period to help with swelling and pain. Swelling is normal after surgery and may increase for up to 72 hours after surgery.

Do not brush your teeth the day of surgery! You may brush your teeth the next day but be very careful around the surgical area. Gently rinse with water and let it drain out into the sink.

Absolutely no smoking of ANY kind! You will open the surgical site, or cause an infection!

Do not spit forcefully, or suck through a straw for 7-10 days after surgery. Swallow any excess saliva before it accumulates in your mouth.

Starting on Day 2 you will need to rinse gently with warm salt water after every food exposure for 7 days following the surgery. Do not spit out the water. Just let the water fall out of your mouth into the sink and wipe remaining from your mouth with a towel.

“Rule of Thumb” – For the next 14 days – If you have to bite it or chew it you cannot eat it. Smooth foods that you can just swallow are allowed. Absolutely no carbonated drinks. Everything you eat or drink the first 24 hours has to be at room temperature or cooler. Nothing hot.

Examples of food you can eat:
Jell-O
Mashed Potatoes
Pudding
Gravy (strained)
Plain Ice Cream
Soup or Broth
Yogurt (no fruit)
Tomato Soup
Spaghetti-O’s
Malt-O-Meal
Ramen Noodles
Apple Sauce
Scrambled Eggs
Go-Gurt

Examples of drinks:
Juices (pulp free)
Milk
Water
Gatorade
PowerAde
Kool-aid
Coffee/Tea

Children Post Operative Instructions

Keep gauze on surgical area with a firm (not hard) bite for 30 minutes after you leave. If bleeding persists heavily, meaning the gauze is a dark red throughout, wet the gauze we provided and put back onto the surgical site for another 30 minutes. The more you put the gauze on and off the site; you are disrupting the blood clotting process. There will be the taste of blood for a day or two which is normal.

Take Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Motrin (depending on child’s age and weight) as directed on the bottle for pain.
To minimize swelling, if needed, ice packs are permitted for 10-20 minutes per hour for the first 24 hours only. Use warm compresses after the 24 hour period to help with swelling and pain. Swelling is normal after surgery and may increase for up to 72 hours after surgery.

Do not brush your teeth the day of surgery! You may brush your teeth the next day but be very careful around the surgical area. Gently rinse with water and let it drain out into the sink.

Do not spit forcefully, or suck through a straw for 3-5 days after surgery. Swallow any excess saliva before it accumulates in your mouth.

Starting on Day 2 you will need to rinse gently with warm salt water after every food exposure for 3-5 days following the surgery. Do not spit out the water. Just let the water fall out of your mouth into the sink and wipe remaining from your mouth with a towel.

“Rule of Thumb” – For the next 3-5 days – If you have to bite it, chew it, or it will turn to pieces in your mouth you cannot eat it. Smooth foods that you can just swallow are allowed. Oatmeal is not ok; it turns into pieces in your mouth. Absolutely no carbonated drinks. Everything you eat or drink the first 24 hours has to be at room temperature or cooler. Nothing hot.

Examples of food you can eat:
Jell-O
Mashed Potatoes
Pudding
Gravy (strained)
Plain Ice Cream
Soup or Broth
Yogurt (no fruit)
Tomato Soup
Spaghetti-O’s
Malt-O-Meal
Ramen Noodles
Apple Sauce
Scrambled Eggs
Go-Gurt

Examples of drinks:
Juices (pulp free)
Milk
Water
Gatorade
PowerAde
Kool-aid
Coffee/Tea

CONTACT US

OFFICE (231) 487-1020
FAX (231) 489-8388

ADDRESS
405 DIVISION RD SUITE 2
PETOSKEY, MI 49770

HOURS
MON – THUR 8:30AM – 4:30PM
FRI 8:30AM – 1:30PM