- • Do not eat or drink anything (including water or gum) for at least eight (8) hours prior to your appointment.
- • Do not smoke or chew tobacco on the day of your surgical appointment and preferably, 7-10 days after your procedure to avoid post-operative pain and infection.
- • If you are under the age of 18, a responsible adult must be present at the time of surgery and your parent or legal guardian must be available to give consent for any procedures.
- • In most cases you will be at the office for about 2-3 hours.
- • Following sedation, all patients must have a responsible adult to accompany you home and stay with you for the day. Public transportation is not suitable following anesthesia.
- • The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
- • Jewelry, Nose and Mouth piercings and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
- • Please wear comfortable, loose clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow.
- • Do not wear lipstick, makeup or nail polish on the day of the surgery.
- • If you have any current illnesses prior to your appointment, please notify the office immediately.
- • Please consult with Dr. Payne on directions of current medications taken. He will direct you on how to manage your current medications.
After your surgery, it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure a successful healing process and minimize pain and discomfort. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.
First Hour
Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs placed over the surgical areas. Do not change them for the first hour unless bleeding is not controlled. Packs may be gently removed after two hours. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze for another two hours. Change as necessary (typically every 1-2 hours). Roll gauze and moisten with tap water.
Exercise Care
Do not disturb the surgical area. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe with objects. Brush teeth gently. DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours.
Oozing
Intermittent bleeding or oozing overnight is normal. Control by placing fresh gauze and biting for 1-2 hours.
Persistent Bleeding
Should never be severe. Reposition packs if needed. May substitute a tea bag (soaked in hot water, squeezed damp-dry) for 1-2 hours. Call office if uncontrolled.
Swelling
Use cold pack, ice bag or frozen peas wrapped in towel. Apply 20 min on / 20 min off during first 24 hours. Take prescribed medicine as directed.
Pain
Take first pill before anesthetic wears off. Precede each pill with food to reduce nausea. May supplement with ibuprofen. Most severe pain within six hours after local wears off. Call office if taking large amounts frequently. Call during weekday business hours for refills.
Nausea
Precede pain pills with food and water. Try clear fluids, minimize pain med dosing. Ginger ale or Classic Coca Cola may help. Stay in cool area, reclined, minimize movement.
Diet
Eat nourishing food with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use straw for first few days. First day: liquids/pureed foods. Avoid nuts, seeds, popcorn. Gradually progress to solids. Do not skip meals. Diabetics: maintain normal eating habits.
Sharp Edges
Bony walls may be felt. Small bone slivers may work out. Call if concerned.
Mouth Rinses
1/4 teaspoon salt in 8 oz warm water. Gently rinse, taking 5 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times daily minimum. Use prescribed mouth rinse if applicable.
Brushing
Resume normal hygiene as soon as possible. Clean within bounds of comfort.
Hot Applications
Warm compresses to skin over swelling areas. 20 min on / 20 min off.
Healing
First two days most uncomfortable with swelling. Third day more comfortable, can begin more substantial diet. Gradual steady improvement after that. Call if not improving. If given irrigating syringe, DO NOT use for first five days, then use daily until socket closes.
Questions About Your Recovery?
If you have questions about your progress, please call the office at 719-542-4546. You can contact Dr. Payne after hours by calling the office and following the emergency prompts. However, calling during office hours will afford a faster response.
PLEASE NOTE: Telephone calls for narcotic (pain killer) prescription renewal are ONLY accepted during office hours.