Postoperative Instructions

Pain Medication

You may experience discomfort, especially during the first 12 to 72 hours. Take the medication prescribed for you; start the first dose 45 minutes after your surgery and continue taking it “by the clock”. Do not wait for the pain to recur before taking your next dose. The initial dose will take 45 minutes to become effective. For mild discomfort you may switch to Tylenol® or Motrin®. When taking the tablets or capsules be sure to drink at least a full 8-oz. glass of water to help prevent an upset stomach.

What to do if you are still in pain

If you have been prescribed a narcotic analgesic such as Vicodin® and you find that you are still in pain you may take a second tablet 1 hour following the first tablet, or you may add 600mg of Motrin® (Ibuprofen) to your dose of Vicodin®. Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter medication that you can obtain at any drugstore.

To learn more about solving your pain medication problems:

Diabetics

It is VITALLY IMPORTANT that you eat meals immediately following surgery and monitor your blood sugar every few hours following surgery. Adjust your insulin regimen as per your physicians instructions or the instructions given to you by Dr. Orden. It is preferable if your blood sugar runs slightly high for the first 24 hours. You should make slight corrections and return to baseline insulin levels the day following surgery. If you feel light headed, or your blood sugar drops below 100 then you must immediately takes steps to correct your hypoglycemia or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Rash or Hives

You may develop a rash or some itching when taking a medication. In most cases this is not a serious side effect and does not require you to cease the medication. You should call the doctor to determine whether or not to continue the medications. If you develop shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, swelling of tongue, throat, ankles, legs or arms, then immediately discontinue any medications and go to the nearest emergency room.

Bleeding

It is normal to have some minimal bleeding, pink or red saliva, or clot formation during the first 24 hours. Do not be alarmed.

Swelling

Following any surgical procedure, you can expect swelling to develop. It will usually be most pronounced the second 24 hours.

Start applying ice immediately following surgery

Apply ice packs during the first 4 hours...20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off.

Your swelling will reach a maximum 2-3 days following surgery and then diminish rapidly.

Do not apply ice after the first 24 hours following surgery

Bruising

Following any surgical procedure bruising may result from the accumulation of blood in the tissue. It is normal but will be more prominent in thin or fair skinned individuals. It may extend from the surgical site downward and will resolve spontaneously in about 10 days.

Starting on the second day after your surgery may apply moist heat to the affected area for about 20 minutes every hour to hasten its removal. DO NOT apply ice after the first day!

To make a moist heating pad, place some uncooked rice in a re-sealable plastic bag. Place it in the microwave for a few seconds until it is warm, then place this inside a warm moist towel. It will stay warm for several minutes. You may use this over and over again as needed.

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Rinsing

Cleanliness after surgery is important for a rapid and uncomplicated recovery. Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth the day of surgery.

The day after surgery rinses gently every 1-2 hours with a solution of warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water).

Continue rinsing four times a day for the next week.

The teeth should be brushed, but avoid the site of surgery for the first two days

Following any surgical procedure bruising may result from the accumulation of blood in the tissue. It is normal but will be more prominent in thin or fair skinned individuals. It may extend from the surgical site downward and will resolve spontaneously in about 10 days. You may apply moist heat to the affected area for about 20 minutes every hour to hasten it’s removal.
Eating

A soft diet, avoiding hot liquids, is recommended for the first 24 hours after surgery. Try not to skip a meal. Resume your diet when possible. If you are diabetic YOU MUST EAT and test your glucose every 2 hours for the next 6 hours.

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Nausea

If you develop nausea (vomiting) it is most likely due to a pain medication that contains a narcotic such as Vicodin® (hydrocodone). Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach. Try drinking some flat Coca-Cola (stir out the carbonated bubbles). If you continue to have nausea. then discontinue taking this medication and begin taking Motrin® (Ibuprofren) 600mg every 6 hours. Make sure you eat before taking any pain medication. If you continue to have nausea then call the on-call doctor for instructions.

To learn more about solving your pain medication problems:

Vomiting

Isolated instances of vomiting are not unusual after surgery. This may be result of swallowing some blood or in response to narcotic pain medication. Persistent vomiting is a cause for concern and you should attempt to reach the on-call doctor, or if necessary go to the local emergency room. You should discontinue any narcotic pain medication.

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Emergencies

If you are in need of emergency treatment of advice call the on call doctor:
When the voice-mail system listen for instructions on how to page the on-call doctor. If you feel that you need urgent attention go to the nearest emergency room. If you cannot reach the doctor please go to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Emergency Room.

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Postoperative Instructions

Pain Medication

What to do if you are still in pain

Diabetics

Rash or Hives

Bleeding

It is normal to have some minimal bleeding, pink or red saliva, or clot formation during the first 24 hours. Do not be alarmed.

Keep your head elevated.

Maintain pressure over the site with a gauze pad for one hour

If bleeding is excessive, place a thumb size roll of sterile gauze or a moistened tea bag over the wound and bite firmly for 30 minutes with constant pressure.

If bleeding is excessive, place a thumb size roll of sterile gauze or a moistened tea bag over the wound and bite firmly for 30 minutes with constant pressure.

If excessive bleeding persists longer than a few hours call the office for further instructions.

Swelling

Start applying ice immediately following surgery

Apply ice packs during the first 4 hours...20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off.

Your swelling will reach a maximum 2-3 days following surgery and then diminish rapidly.

Do not apply ice after the first 24 hours following surgery

Bruising

Starting on the second day after your surgery may apply moist heat to the affected area for about 20 minutes every hour to hasten its removal. DO NOT apply ice after the first day!

To make a moist heating pad, place some uncooked rice in a re-sealable plastic bag. Place it in the microwave for a few seconds until it is warm, then place this inside a warm moist towel. It will stay warm for several minutes. You may use this over and over again as needed.

Rinsing

Continue rinsing four times a day for the next week.

The teeth should be brushed, but avoid the site of surgery for the first two days

Eating

A soft diet, avoiding hot liquids, is recommended for the first 24 hours after surgery. Try not to skip a meal. Resume your diet when possible. If you are diabetic YOU MUST EAT and test your glucose every 2 hours for the next 6 hours.

Back to top

Nausea

Vomiting

Emergencies

If you are in need of emergency treatment of advice call the on call doctor:

When the voice-mail system listen for instructions on how to page the on-call doctor. If you feel that you need urgent attention go to the nearest emergency room. If you cannot reach the doctor please go to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Emergency Room.

Postoperative Instructions

Pain Medication

It is normal to have some minimal bleeding, pink or red saliva, or clot formation during the first 24 hours. Do not be alarmed.

Keep your head elevated.

Maintain pressure over the site with a gauze pad for one hour If bleeding is excessive, place a thumb size roll of sterile gauze or a moistened tea bag over the wound and bite firmly for 30 minutes with constant pressure.

If bleeding is excessive, place a thumb size roll of sterile gauze or a moistened tea bag over the wound and bite firmly for 30 minutes with constant pressure.

If excessive bleeding persists longer than a few hours call the office for further instructions.

Start applying ice immediately following surgery

Apply ice packs during the first 4 hours...20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off.

Your swelling will reach a maximum 2-3 days following surgery and then diminish rapidly.

Do not apply ice after the first 24 hours following surgery

Starting on the second day after your surgery may apply moist heat to the affected area for about 20 minutes every hour to hasten its removal. DO NOT apply ice after the first day!

To make a moist heating pad, place some uncooked rice in a re-sealable plastic bag. Place it in the microwave for a few seconds until it is warm, then place this inside a warm moist towel. It will stay warm for several minutes. You may use this over and over again as needed.

Continue rinsing four times a day for the next week.

The teeth should be brushed, but avoid the site of surgery for the first two days

A soft diet, avoiding hot liquids, is recommended for the first 24 hours after surgery. Try not to skip a meal. Resume your diet when possible. If you are diabetic YOU MUST EAT and test your glucose every 2 hours for the next 6 hours.

If you are in need of emergency treatment of advice call the on call doctor:

When the voice-mail system listen for instructions on how to page the on-call doctor. If you feel that you need urgent attention go to the nearest emergency room. If you cannot reach the doctor please go to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Emergency Room.

Maintain pressure over the site with a gauze pad for one hour

If bleeding is excessive, place a thumb size roll of sterile gauze or a moistened tea bag over the wound and bite firmly for 30 minutes with constant pressure.