Surgery

Preparing for Surgery

Knowing what to expect during oral surgery and how to effectively recuperate can help guide you toward a speedy recovery. Oral surgery is often an outpatient procedure that requires local or general anesthesia, which means that you’ll return home shortly after your operation has been completed, with your doctor’s approval. During any preliminary appointments, ask your doctor how to prepare before and after surgery and any other questions you may have.

Recovering from oral surgery

Preparing for after-care at home before your oral surgery appointment is critical. You may have to spend a significant amount of time in bed after your surgery so set up extra pillows on the bed so that you can rest in a comfortable, reclining position. Try to find a television, magazines, and other entertainment options to keep near your recovery space. Avoid smoking while you’re recovering from oral surgery, as the sucking motion could cause bleeding or damage to the surgery site.

In some instances, you may have swelling around the surgery site. For the first couple of days after your surgery, you should put an ice pack on that area for 15 minutes at a time, and then rest for 15 minutes before putting it back on.