Instructions After Surgery
These instructions apply to the surgical procedure just completed. They are designed to help you minimize post-surgical discomfort and inform you of situations that may require special attention.
Pain Medications
Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to pain medications so Dr. Noraian may help you find one to which you will not be reactive. Discomfort is not unusual to have for at least the first week following your surgical procedure. Dr. Noraian will prescribe medication to help you tolerate the post-surgical recovery period and we ask that you please take your medications as directed. If necessary, you may take your pain medication at the shortest interval on your prescription to stay ahead of the soreness and if that method is not working for your situation, please contact Dr. Noraian or the office. Also, we advise to not take pain medication on an empty stomach, as nausea may result. A full glass of a water may be helpful.
Please note that if your prescribed pain medication is not helping, trying to boost it with additional acetaminophen, or Tylenol, may exceed the safety level of Acetaminophen. Please contact the office with any questions you may have.
Antibiotics
Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics so Dr. Noraian may help you find one to which you will not be reactive. An antibiotic may be prescribed following your surgical procedure and we suggest you take it as directed until gone, unless you are reacting to it. One way to avoid nausea is not to take these medications on an empty stomach. Taking the antibiotic on a full glass of water is one way to minimize the nausea side effect and to help it dissolve. For women taking birth control pills, be advised that antibiotics may interfere with their effectiveness and alternative forms of birth control may need to be considered.
Swelling
Swelling may occur following any surgical procedure and typically increases 2-3 days after the procedure. To minimize the swelling, place an ice pack over the outside cheek area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Continue using ice for 2-3 days following the procedure as often as possible.
Bleeding
A small amount of bleeding is normal. If excessive or continuous bleeding occurs:
- Do not rinse your mouth.
- Elevate your head when lying down.
- Apply moistened gauze to the immediate area with moderate pressure with freshly washed hands for 20 minutes; repeat if necessary.
- Enclose a moistened tea bag in a gauze square and apply pressure with freshly washed hands for 20 minutes.
- Call the office if bleeding persists.
Dressing
A dressing (which acts as a bandage) may be used to protect the surgical site and help reduce discomfort. It is not unusual for a dressing to come off or to become uncomfortable. Please call the office for direction. Not all lost or loose dressings need to be replaced, so when you call the office, we will advise you how to proceed.
Diet
Until you are comfortable, please avoid chewing on the side where the surgery was completed. Please avoid hot foods and liquids for approximately 1 hour following the surgery so as not to soften the dressing, and until your numbness has worn off so as not to burn your mouth. A soft diet is recommended. Foods such as cottage cheese, oatmeal, soup, eggs,
yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, casseroles, and fruits are more easily eaten. Remember, adequate nutrition is essential for feeling better as well as for healing. If the soft diet is not keeping your hunger away, try Ensure or Sustacal which are a total meal in a can. You may make these supplements into a smoothie with crushed ice and remember not to drink them with a straw to avoid disrupting your wound.
Smoking
We ask that you try not to smoke for at least 2 weeks following your surgical procedure. Continuing to smoke after surgery will significantly slow your healing, may compromise results and run the risk of you needing retreatment.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
Rinsing
We ask that you not rinse after surgery. Rinsing may disrupt the wound or compromise your result and we will let you know when you may resume rinsing depending on your procedure.
Brushing
Do not brush the surgical site. You may resume normal brushing/flossing in other areas the following day.
Suture Removal
If you notice some increased discomfort 3-4 days after the surgical procedure, you may be feeling the tissues pull against the sutures and dressing as you heal. For your suture removal appointment, you may choose to take some form of pain medication an hour prior to your suture removal appointment to minimize tenderness. If you are a patient for whom Antibiotic Pre-Medication is required, take the prescribed antibiotics an hour prior to your suture removal appointment.
If You Have Had Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP)
When you have Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP), you will be provided a special set of instructions which will be reviewed with you at the appropriate time.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at 309-663-4577 or 217-367-6149.