After Surgery Care
- Typically 3rd day following surgery is expected to be the worst day
- Apply cold compress over the surgical sites for 3 days after surgery. The more often, the less discomfort, swelling and bleeding there will be. Ice cubes in a zip lock or bag of frozen peas can be used as cold compress.
- Often surgical site(s) and part of the face on that side will remain numb for several hours after surgery. Majority of the numbness should be resolved within 24hrs of surgery, however lower lip and chin may remain numb for several weeks following surgery. It is important to let Dr. Namiranian know at your follow up appointment if you have any residual numbness that bothers you.
- Bruises under eyes and/or around lower jaw and upper neck is not unusual following an extensive surgery. Bruises are initially black and blue, they turn yellow approximately 1 week after surgery and will spread toward upper chest (toward gravity) as the patient mobilizes following surgery.
- It is important to hydrate well following surgery.
- When standing up from supine position the day after surgery, best is to have support (i.e family member or friend watching you, or hang on to the wall) as some people may experience dizziness and at risk of falling. If not getting light headed for the first half of day, the rest of day should be smooth.
- If you had IV sedation, avoid driving or signing important documents within 24hrs of surgery.
- Avoid heavy activity or lifting more than 10 lbs for 1 week after surgery. Light exercise is fine and encouraged.
- In the first few days following surgery avoid high temperature food or liquids as they may increase the blood flow to the surgical sites and cause bleeding. You may start with protein shake, yogurt, room temperature soup, mashed potato or similar consistency food. In the following few days after surgery, you may gradually advance your diet as you can tolerate it. If you had an All-On-4 or All-On-6 procedure, please stay on a soft diet (food that can be cut with a plastic fork) until your final prosthesis is delivered.
- Sinus Precautions: If you were instructed to be on sinus precautions, here are the precautions you will need to follow for 6 weeks following surgery:
- Avoid blowing your nose.
- If you have to sneeze, sneeze with mouth open
- Do not use straw.
- If you are a smoker, avoid smoking.
- Prescriptions:
- Antibiotic: If instructed, take the antibiotic 1 hour prior to your surgery appointment with a small sip of water. Continue your antibiotic until the course is completed. It is important to take the antibiotic on time.
- Ibuprofen (Advil): If you are prescribed Ibuprofen, it is important to take it scheduled (unless instructed otherwise); either 600mg every 6 hours, or 800mg every 8 hours.
- Chlorhexidine 0.12% (Peridex) mouth rinse: Start rinsing your mouth after each meal with peridex starting one day after surgery. Alternatively, you may use a monoject syringe to irrigate the lower jaw extraction sockets locally. Avoid entering the socket with the syringe tip. Stay above the socket until all food debris is removed over the sockets.
- If you are prescribed narcotics, it is intended for extreme pain and is safe to take it with Ibuprofen.
- If Methylprednisolone (Medrol Dosepak) is prescribed, follow the instructions on the package. It specifies the timing and number of tabs to be taken.
after surgery care
