Dr. Rena Bains

The Day of Surgery. If your surgery is in the morning, eat a light breakfast high in carbohydrates. If your surgery is in the afternoon, eat a light lunch. Breakfast example: Shredded Wheat, Corn Flakes with skim milk. Lunch example: Yogurt, soup, salad with crackers or toast.

Care Immediately Following Surgery

Mouth Care: No spitting. Do not rinse your mouth. Do not brush or floss your teeth. Do not use a straw the day of the surgery.

REST: It is recommended you lie quietly with your head elevated for the remainder of the day. Please limit your physical activity to a minimum, as it will possibly promote swelling and/or bleeding.

SWELLING: Applying an ice bag to your face for 20 minute intervals for the first 4 to 5 hours after surgery will generally contribute to your comfort and minimize facial swelling. DO NOT use warm compresses on the day of the surgery.

MEDICATIONS: Use your pain medication as prescribed to relieve discomfort. It is important for you to start your anti-inflammatory medication (example: Motrin) the night before surgery. This will keep you comfortable as well as promote healing. If antibiotics are necessary, take as prescribed until they are gone. If nausea, itching skin, or a rash develop after taking medication, discontinue use and phone the office immediately.

BLEEDING: Some slight bleeding is normal on the day of surgery. Do not rinse your mouth as it may stimulate bleeding. Avoid smoking and the use of alcohol as they will interfere with normal blood clotting and irritate your mouth.

DIET: When all numbness is gone from your face, you may have something cold to drink or soft to eat. Dairy products will help counteract nausea. Eating a soft, bland meal the evening of your surgery is the best medicine for improving how you feel!

The Day After Surgery

DIET: It is important that you maintain an adequate diet, rich in protein. If chewing is difficult, try to eat a smaller amount of food, but more frequently than normal mealtimes. Avoid vigorous chewing of hard or tough foods as well as heavily spiced or acidic foods. Foods of extreme hot or cold temperatures may be uncomfortable. At this time, experiment and see if you can manage such things as eggs, cheese, ground beef, fish, cooked cereals, and soup. Foods that add bulk (roughage) to your diet, as well as lots of liquids, will help to prevent constipation which is often a side effect of the prolonged use of pain medication.

SWELLING: The day following surgery you will probably be aware of the onset of some swelling in your face, especially if you didn't apply ice packs the day of the surgery. Tomorrow it may even increase, but should diminish greatly the third and fourth days following surgery. This pattern of swelling in associated with normal healing. The application of a moistened hot compress (washcloth) to the outside of your face on and off for several hours often decreases swelling significantly and will contribute to your comfort. DO NOT use ice packs after the day of the surgery.

MOUTH CARE: The mouth is one of the most rapidly healing areas of the body. Utilizing the following instructions, it will be virtually impossible for you to harm the surgery site. Do not brush the augmentation area or the donor area (if there is one). You may brush areas that were not treated surgically. Gentle rinsing is advised after brushing. The oral rinse "Periogard" is provided to aid in reducing the bacteria at the surgical site. The rinse is to used 48 hours after surgery. Use in the morning and evening after plaque removal (brushing). Hold rinse at the surgical area for 30 seconds then expectorate. Do not rinse with water after Periogard.

OTHER POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: 1) If stitches around the gum should become loose, do not attempt to remove them yourself. 2) As the week progresses, stitches may become tight and create some dull aching which can usually be controlled by mild pain medication. 3) You may have a plastic-like material round your teeth which may tend to break loose or fall off as the week progresses. If this results in increased discomfort or excessive bleeding, please call the office. 4) Constipation can result from prolonged used of strong pain medication. This can be treated by increasing your liquid intake, and the use of either Milk of Magnesia or Mineral Oil as directed.

Phone: (209) 578-4153 Day or Night