Patient Instructions

On The Day Of Your Procedure

We want to set you up for success

• Bring a form of government ID: Health Card or Driver’s License
• Wear a loose fitting short sleeve T-shirt with an open neck
• Do not wear jewelry
• Refrain from using recreational drugs including marijuana for at least 2 weeks before your procedure
• If you have asthma and have puffers, please bring your puffer
• Please call the office if you are under the weather (cold, flu like symptoms, wheezing, chest cold) for further instruction

If you are receiving IV Sedation / General Anesthesia

• Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before surgery. This includes not drinking any water.
  • If you are taking medications prescribed by your doctor, continue taking them as prescribed with a small sip of water
• You must arrive with an adult who can take you home and stay with you for the next 24 hours. Getting home by car or taxi is OK. Public transportation is NOT.
• Please do not wear contact lenses on the day of your procedure
• Do not wear nail polish. Nail polish will be removed at the time of your procedure as our sensor attaches to your nail

• Please inform us if you know or think you may be pregnant, as you are not a candidate for sedation / general anesthesia in the outpatient clinic
• Please call the office if you are under the weather (cold, flu like symptoms, wheezing, chest cold) for further instruction

• Do not make any important decisions, operate a vehicle, operate power tools or use heavy machinery for 24 hours after receiving an anesthetic
• Plan to take it easy and rest for the next 24 hours

After Your Procedure

It is important to:

• Avoid disturbing the surgical site
• Avoid rinsing for the first 24 hours
• Avoid smoking for as long as you can

Pain

• You may be prescribed pain medication
  • Always start with the Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen as soon as possible and while you are still numb, then continue as prescribed
  • If you are still in discomfort, you may have been prescribed another medication that can further alleviate your symptoms
  • Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are taking a narcotic
    • Example: Tramadol, Percocet, Tylenol #3, Hydromorphone
  • Do not consume alcoholic beverages while taking pain medications
  • Return to your pharmacy any unused narcotic medication once your pain becomes manageable

Bleeding

• It is normal to have a pink tinge/colour in your saliva for the next 24-72 hours
• You will be provided with additional gauze
  • Form a ball and make sure the gauze is over the top of surgical site – bite down hard to form some pressure and keep biting for 20 minutes
  • Alternatively you can use a moistened tea bag to apply pressure. The agents in the tea can help stop the bleeding
• Call the office if you experience uncontrolled bleeding
• Gauze packs and tea bags can be a choking hazard. Remove them before you sleep

Swelling

• Things get worse before they get better
  • Maximum swelling occurs at day 3 or 4 following your procedure
• For the first 24-48 hours, ice packs are your best friend. Wrap a towel around the ice pack to avoid trauma to your skin
• You will most likely be prescribed an anti-inflammatory to help with the pain and swelling

Diet

• • Soft mushy foods are your best friend for the first 5-7 days
  • Examples include:
    • mashed potatoes
    • scrambled eggs
    • overcooked pastas
    • smoothies
    • milkshakes
    • soups
    • ice cream
    • pudding
  • Stick to room temperature foods while you are numb to avoid burns
  • Avoid crunchy foods or chewy foods that can get stuck in your surgical sites

Antibiotics

• • You may be prescribed an antibiotic depending on your procedure
  • Take antibiotics as directed – it is important that you finish all of your antibiotic even if you feel better before they are completed
  • Birth control pills may be less effective while on antibiotics
    • Other contraception methods are needed while you are on antibiotics
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while on antibiotics
  • Call the office if you have any adverse reactions to the antibiotic

Mouth Rinses

• • Start the prescribed mouth rinse or salt water rinses the day after your procedure

Exercise

• • Avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks following your procedure
  • Advance as tolerated

Sinus Precautions

• Goal to minimize pressure within your sinus so that it can close
  • Avoid blowing your nose, instead wipe your nose gently with a tissue
  • Avoid spitting or sucking (for example do not spit out forcefully after toothbrushing, do not use a straw)
  • Avoid smoking
  • Sneeze with your mouth open
• Take your antibiotic as directed