Postop Instructions
General Oral Surgery

Diet

Eating after oral surgery can be an adjustment - start with liquid diet and advance as you can tolerate gradually

Start with soft, cool diet - such as ice cream, milk shakes, protein shakes, yogurt, jello, pudding that does not require much chewing the day of surgery
Gradually advance to foods with more substance subsequent days - such as apple sauce, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, overcooked pasta, fish
Avoid food with seeds or particulates to avoid them getting into surgical sites
Most patients are able to return to normal diet 1 week after surgery
Keep yourself well hydrated with Gatorade or Pedialyte

3 "S" will help lower your postop bleeding and risk of dry socket - a condition that prolongs recovery and postop pain

Taking great care of the surgical site is just as important as the surgery itself

Biting down on gauze - Sustained pressure over the surgical site helps in minimizing bleeding. Avoid changing out the gauze too often, rather prolonged pressure works best
If you run out of gauze, moist tea bags (any type) works well in replacement
Apply ice on the affected side for 4 days - 20 min on, followed by, 20 min off to avoid frostbites. After 4th day, you can switch to warm compresses
Bruising is normal and will descend down to your neck/chest over time. Warm compresses help dissipate bruising quicker
After meals, rinse with salt water (cup of water, teaspoon of salt) with gentle swirl
All sutures placed will dissolve - they will unravel and fall out at different time points
Do not keep your mouth closed tight - mobilize your jaw after surgery and stretch your mouth open to help with swelling and pain

Staying on top of medications help minimize postop pain and complications

If antibiotics are prescribed, take them exactly as prescribed. Take probiotics or yogurt with it
Stay ahead of the pain curve and avoid playing "catch up". It is expected that you will have some discomfort and tenderness especially the first 3-4 days after surgery
Studies have shown taking Ibuprofen & Tylenol together is more effective than narcotics
For the first 3 days you can take
- Ibuprofen 600mg (3 tabs of Regular strength 200mg) - every 6 hours
- Tylenol 500mg (Extra strength tylenol) or Tylenol 650mg (2 tabs of Regular strength) - every 6 hours
If narcotics are prescribed to you, take ONLY if you have first taken ibuprofen and tylenol , not as a first line

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