Pre-Operative Instructions:
Please follow the instructions below before your procedure with Dr. Susan Maring.
Pre-Medications: Please take at least one hour before the appointment or as directed:
- Peridex (Chlorhexidine) Pre-rinse (This is a prescription medication).
- Antibiotics may be prescribed prior to surgery on an individual basis (This is a prescription medication).
If a rash, itching or nausea develops please call the office so we can change your medication: (206)343-7500
Dr. Susan Maring Post-Operative Instructions:
Please follow the instructions below after your procedure with Dr. Susan Maring.
Post-Medications: Please take when you get home for pain management:
- First dose: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), 400mg or 600mg (2 or 3 over-the-counter 200mg capsules).
- Second dose: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650mg (2 over-the counter 325mg capsules).
- Then continue to alternate Ibuprofen 400mg (2 over-the-counter 200mg capsules ) with acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650mg (2 over-the counter 325mg capsules), every 3 hours as needed.
If stronger pain management is needed, then call the office and we will send a new prescription to your pharmacy.
Activity: Please reduce your activity for the rest of the day and allow your body to start healing. This is very important.
Care of Your Mouth: It is important that you do not drink through a straw, rinse or swish with any liquid for the first 24 hours. Immediately following your surgery, keep cold water with ice chips in your mouth or other cold foods such as ice cream on and off for at least six hours. Allowing these cold foods to melt in your mouth will help cool the surgical site and help the dressings harden. DO NOT brush your teeth in the surgical areas (where there are dressings or sutures). Please continue to do all the normal cleaning procedures on the teeth that did not have the surgery. If a piece or all of the surgical dressing comes off prior to your next appointment, it will not need to be replaced.
Food & Beverages: Eat well and drink lots of fluids even though you may not feel hungry or thirsty. It is critical to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and/or dehydration. On the day of the surgery eat only cold or soft foods. Though most food can be blended, these are some recommendations: Ensure, SlimFast, cool soup, Ice Cream, Puddings, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Malts, Shakes, and Smoothies (nothing with seeds!). Remember to use a spoon, not a straw.
Smoking: Please do not smoke following your surgery and please refrain from it for as long as possible. Tobacco smoke is an irritant and delays healing of the tissue.
Discomfort: Following all types of surgery you can expect some discomfort but adhering to these instructions should help greatly to reduce this.
Swelling & Bruising: Swelling may be expected. It will usually peak at 3 to 4 days and then begin to decrease. After day 3, a warm wash cloth can be gently applied to the face. There may be some facial bruising in the area of surgery. This is normal and will resolve.
Bleeding: There may be a small amount of bleeding at the surgical site(s) following your surgery. The cold food and/or drink after surgery will help minimize bleeding. Avoid spitting, rinsing, or sucking actions as these will disturb the surgical site(s). If bleeding persists, dip a tea bag (preferably Lipton Black Tea) in cold water and press firmly in your mouth on the area for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bag slowly and reapply as necessary. If bleeding continues, please call the office at (206) 343-7500
Second Week following surgery: Gently dab the area with a Q-tip dipped in Peridex (Chlorhexidine). We will show you how to do this at your first post-operative appointment.
Any Questions? Please do not hesitate to call our office at (206) 343-7500.
