5 Things to Do Before Your Oral Surgery

You have an oral surgery procedure coming up soon and you’re both nervous and excited. You’re nervous because it’s surgery but you’re excited because it means a better, healthier smile. The words “oral surgery” can sound a little scary but in all actuality, the procedures that fall under this umbrella are usually fairly quick and pain-free. However, in the few days before your surgery, there are a couple of things you should do to make the process easier for you and your surgeon.

1. Make sure all medical records are up-to-date

This is a huge one. If you are allergic to any medications or if you’ve had any other recent surgeries, please make sure your doctor knows. (S)he may prescribe you medication before or after the surgery and they won’t know if you’re allergic to it if you don’t tell them in your medical record. You should also report any minor or major health problems as they may affect how the doctor performs the surgery. Also, make sure to request and read over any pre-op and post-op instructions that your doctor’s office provides. These vary from office to office so it’s vital that you get them from your doctor (and not from WebMD).

2. Get a ride lined up

If you’re being sedated for the procedure, make sure you have someone available to drive you back home after the surgery. Sedation can seriously impair your motor skills which means you can’t drive for at least the first few hours post-op. You may also want to ask that same friend or family member to help with getting you into bed after you get home (if anesthesia strongly affects you).

3. Pick up medication

After your surgery, the last thing you’ll want to worry about is picking up medications. Remember to head to the pharmacy beforehand to grab anything you’ll need while recovering. If you’re unsure of what you’ll need, just give your doctor’s office a call. They should have a list of recommended recovery items.

4. Take a trip to the grocery store

Chances are, a lot of foods will be off-limits after your procedure. Make sure to stock up on plenty of soft foods that won’t hurt your mouth like mashed potatoes, apple sauce, and yogurt. You’ll thank us later!

5. Pick out a comfortable outfit

Unlike a lot of other surgeries, with an oral procedure, you’ll be wearing the clothes you walk in with the entire time — so make sure they’re comfortable! Try to stay away from long sleeve shirts since you may need an IV. We recommend short sleeves and comfortable pants that you won’t mind wearing for a few hours.

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On the day of your surgery, make sure to show up to your appointment at least twenty minutes early. This will leave you plenty of time to fill out any additional paperwork you may have to do.

If you’re looking for an oral surgeon in the Cary-Raleigh area, give us a call at 919.460.9665. Dr. Robert Stanley is internationally known for his dental implant expertise. We hope to see you soon!