Anesthesia Pre-Op:
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING YOUR ANESTHESIA
You will always be given local anesthesia for your surgery, but you may choose any of those
listed below as a supplement. Each choice requires different preparation on your part, and for
your safety it is important that you read and follow the instructions carefully. If you are unclear
about anything, please ask your doctor.
For all surgery, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, and apply as little makeup as possible.
LOCAL ANESTHESIA will produce a numb feeling in the area being operated on and a
feeling of pressure during surgery. You will be awake and recall the surgery, but there should be
no significant discomfort.
1. Have a light meal a few hours prior to surgery.
2. For more extensive procedures you may wish to have someone drive you home.
3. Plan to rest for a few hours after surgery.
ORAL PREMEDICATION: may be a supplement to local anesthesia and is medication taken
by mouth to produce relaxation before and during your operation.
1. Take the medication at the time directed before your surgery.
2. Have a light meal a few hours prior to surgery unless you are also having intravenous or
general anesthesia.
3. It is not safe to drive after taking sedative drugs, and you MUST have someone drive you
to and from surgery.
4. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Do not operate power tools, machinery, etc., for
24 hours after surgery.
NITROUS OXIDE is also known as "laughing gas." You will be relaxed and somewhat less
aware of your surroundings, but will recall most of the surgical event. Nitrous oxide is generally
used in conjunction with local anesthesia, but may also be used to supplement the anesthetic
choices below.
1. You may have a light meal four (4) hours prior to surgery.
2. It is best to have someone drive you home.
3. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
INTRAVENOUS ANESTHESIA
INTRAVENOUS SEDATION: Medications are given through a vein in your arm or hand,
which will cause total relaxation and, although you will not actually be unconscious, there will
be very little recall (if any) of the events surrounding surgery.
1. Do not eat or drink anything (including water) for eight (8) hours prior to surgery.
However, it is important that you take any regular medications (high blood pressure,
antibiotics, etc.) or any pre-medication prescription that we have provided, using only a
small sip of water.
2. Take any regular medications with only enough water to get the pill down.
3. You MUST have someone drive you home.
4. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Do not operate power tools, machinery, etc., for
24 hours after surgery.
GENERAL ANESTHESIA: Medications are given through a vein which will result in total loss
of consciousness, complete lack of recall of the event and usually a longer recovery time. The
same instructions offered above for intravenous sedation apply for general anesthesia.
OTHER SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
If you prefer to listen to your own music, feel free to bring a CD or cassette tape player with
small earphones.
Our goal is to provide you with a safe, pleasant and effective anesthetic. In order to do this it is
imperative that we have your full cooperation. Please feel free to ask or call about any questions
concerning your surgery or anesthetic.
Pre-Op Instructions:
**This form is also available as an Adobe PDF document by clicking here.
1. The night before surgery eat a light meal.
2. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT, THE NIGHT BEFORE
SURGERY. - NO FOOD, NO LIQUIDS, NOT EVEN WATER. DO NOT SMOKE.
3. If you take any regular medications (high blood pressure, antibiotics, etc.) or any premedication prescription that we have provided, using only a small sip of water. Do not
skip your dose unless directed to.
4. Brush your teeth several times prior to surgery and rinse with mouthwash. Do not
swallow any water. Your mouth and teeth should be clean to help avoid the possibility of
a postoperative infection.
5. Please call us immediately if you have any symptoms of a head or chest cold. Your
surgery may have to be rescheduled.
6. BRING SOMEONE WITH A CAR TO DRIVE YOU HOME AFTER SURGERY.
If someone does not accompany you, your surgery will have to be rescheduled.
Someone needs to stay with you at home for several hours after surgery.
7. Please leave all valuables at home.
8. Remove all fingernail polish, lipstick, and make-up.
9. Do not wear contacts. If need be, bring your case and solution with you.
10. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
11. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Do not operate power tools, machinery, etc., for
24 hours after surgery.
Post-Op Instructions: **This form is also available as an Adobe PDF document by clicking
here.
Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of the instructions may
apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt follow
these guidelines or call our office for clarification.
THE DAY OF SURGERY FIRST HOUR: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs
that have been placed over the surgical areas, making sure they remain in place. Do not change
them for one hour. It is normal for them to have a red or pink color due to the forming blood clot.
If active bleeding persists, place new gauze over the surgical site for another hour.
EXERCISE CARE: Do not disturb the surgical area today. DO NOT rinse vigorously or probe
the area with any objects. You may brush your teeth gently. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at
least 48 hours, this is very detrimental to healing and may cause a dry socket.
OOZING: Intermittent bleeding or oozing overnight is normal. Bleeding may be controlled by
placing fresh gauze over the areas and biting on the gauze for 30-45 minutes at a time.
PERSISTENT BLEEDING: Bleeding should never be severe. If bleeding becomes heavy you
may substitute a tea bag soaked in water and wrapped in moist gauze for one hour. If bleeding
remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING: It can be minimized by using a ice pack wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to
the surgical area. This should be applied twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the
first 48 hours. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it
as directed.
PAIN: Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will
usually have a prescription for pain medication. If you take the first pill before the anesthetic has
worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better. Some patients find that stronger
pain medicine causes nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food,
chances for nausea will be reduced. The effects of pain medications vary widely among
individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief at first, you may supplement each pain pill with
aspirin or ibuprofen. Some patients may even require two of the pain pills at one time.
Remember that the most severe pain is usually within six hours after the local anesthetic wears
off; after that your need for medicine should lessen.
NAUSEA: Sometimes pain medications are the cause. Nausea can be reduced by preceding each
pain pill with a small amount of food, or a large volume of water. Coca Cola may help with
nausea.
DIET: Eat any food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use a
straw for the first 2 days. It is best to avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc.
gradually progress to solid foods. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits or
follow instructions given by your doctor.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS
MOUTH RINSES: Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use 1/4 teaspoon of
salt dissolved in a glass of warm water and gently rinse. Repeat as often as you like, but at least
two or three times daily. BRUSHING: Begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as
possible after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing, but make every
effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
HOT APPLICATIONS: You can begin using warm packs on the third day. Apply warm
compresses to the skin over the areas of swelling (hot water bottle, hot moist towels, or heating
pad).
Food List:
**This form is also available as an Adobe PDF document by clicking here.
Patients who are well prepared for their surgery usually have a smoother recovery. We advise the
patient to plan ahead and buy some soft food items prior to surgery.
The following are examples of soft food items:
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Hearty Soups (cream of asparagus, lentil, minestrone, split pea)
Juice (cranberry, apple, grape) avoid citrus juice for a few days
Herbal Tea
Jell-O
Yogurt (soft or frozen)
Cottage Cheese
Pudding/Custard
Soft Fruit (banana, papaya, berries, canned peaches or pears)
Applesauce
Popsicles
Ice Cream & Milkshakes
Fresh Cooked Vegetables
Fruit Smoothies/Protein Shakes
Oatmeal/Cream of Wheat
Eggs (scrambled, soft boiled, omelettes, egg salad)
Mashed Potatoes
Rice, Risotto
Tofu
Pasta (plain or with sauce)
Fish (soft white fish, sole, trout, snapper)
Please avoid the following foods the first 7 days after surgery:
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Spicy Foods
Foods that are difficult to chew
Popcorn & Chips (avoid for a month)
French bread loafs and Baguettes
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Alcoholic Beverages
On the day of surgery, begin with clear fluids (juice, broth, tea, Jell-O) and progress slowly to
more substantial foods. Remember, it is important to maintain nutrition for optimal healing to
occur.
Be sure to rest and take it easy for the first few days; rent a few movies (comedies) and have a
relaxing recovery!
Referral Form:
To download a copy of the referral form (PDF format), please click here.