Six Things You Need To Plan Ahead For When You Have Oral Reconstructive Surgery
Posted on: 20 March 2018
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Oral reconstructive surgery is a serious surgical procedure that requires careful planning and preparation. There are a few things you're going to need to plan for before your procedure to stay safe and to maximize your chances for a speedy and comfortable recovery.
The following are six things you need to plan ahead for when you have oral reconstructive surgery:
Arrange for a ride so that you don't drive after getting anesthesia
When patients are administered anesthesia, they are not permitted to drive themselves home immediately afterward.
Getting a ride home is the best way to ensure that you can go home and make yourself comfortable right after the procedure. If you cannot get a ride, you may in some cases be allowed to wait at the doctor's office until the anesthesia wears off so that you can once again drive safely.
Set your schedule so that you have some time off of work
You're going to want to take some time off to recover after the procedure. Depending on which type of procedure you're having performed, you may want to take anywhere from a day to several weeks off of work in order to give yourself time to recover.
Follow any fasting instructions
It's probably going to be necessary for you to fast for a few hours before the procedure. Your dentist or surgeon might recommend that you abstain from consuming both food and water in the hours before the procedure. Fasting helps ensure the safety of taking anesthesia.
Prepare an outfit that is conducive to going through surgery
Your surgery will be more convenient if you dress appropriately. It's a good idea to avoid wearing jewelry when you go in for the procedure. You should also dress in loose-fitting clothing and wear short sleeves to make administering an IV more easy.
Stock up on good foods for recovery
In order to recover from reconstructive oral surgery, you're going to have to limit your diet for a period of time. You're going to have to cut chewy, hard, and spicy foods out of your diet.
It's a good idea to stock up on protein shakes and soft foods before your oral reconstructive procedure in order to prepare for recovery.
Ask your dentist or surgeon questions to put your mind at ease
You can minimize the amount of stress and uncertainty you'll feel when going in to the procedure by asking your dentist or surgeon all the questions you have.
You need to ask questions to make sure you're doing everything you need to in order to prepare. You also need ask questions to make sure that oral reconstructive surgery is the right solution to the dental issues that you're dealing with. Contact a clinic, like Central PA Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons LLC, for more help.