Before your appointment:
You must arrange to have someone drive you home at the end of your appointment and assist you to your door.
It is recommended that you do not eat any food 6 hours before your appointment. You may have clear fluids (such as water, clear juices, soft drinks, etc., but NOT milk) up to 3 hours before your appointment is scheduled. Nausea and vomiting could be avoided when your stomach is empty. You can eat minimum food if you do feel starving starting to cause you some discomfort.
The only exception to the above instructions applies if you take medications on a regular basis. Unless advised otherwise, you MUST take your usual medications at the regularly scheduled times with a sip of water.
Do not wear any facial makeup, nail polish or jewelry. Wear comfortable, casual, loose fitting clothing.
Following your appointment:
You must NOT drive a car, drink alcoholic beverages or operate machinery for at least 18 hours afterwards. You may be drowsy for the remainder of the day and should be recovering at home in the care of a responsible adult until you are fully alert.
Nausea and vomiting may occur after this type of procedure. Try to take liquids as soon as you feel ready. If liquids are tolerated, proceed with solid food in moderation.
Do NOT drink any alcoholic beverages for the remainder of the day.
Soreness and possibly a bruise around the site of the intravenous needle are expected. Swelling, red or blue coloration and/or pain far above the needle site may occur, but if so, this should be brought to our attention as soon as possible.
In the case of an emergency, please call the office at (613) 225-3564 or Dr. Steven Zheng at (613) 769-0732.
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Wound Care
Bite on a wet gauze for half an hour following surgery. Repeat procedure if bleeding persists.
Do not smoke for 12 hours as this will promote bleeding and delay the healing process.
Do not spit, rinse your mouth or drink from a straw for the first 24 hours following surgery. Starting the day after surgery you may begin rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water solution. Repeat this procedure following meals. Brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery.
Bleeding
Some blood will ooze from the area of surgery and is normal. If heavy bleeding is present, wet the gauze provided to you and place it directly on the bleeding area apply firm pressure. Bite for half an hour. Gauze may be substituted for a wet tea bag, as the tannic acid in tea has clotting agents.
Discomfort
Some discomfort is normal after surgery and pain can be controlled by taking the pain pills prescribed to you and by applying ice packs.
Take pills with a whole glass of water and a small amount of food if they cause nausea.
DO NOT DRIVE OR DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE YOU ARE TAKING PRESCRIPTION PAIN PILLS.
Swelling and Bruising
This is to be expected in certain areas, usually reaching its maximum three days after surgery. It will disappear gradually. To ease the severity of the swelling, it is suggested that you apply an ice pack to your face following the surgery (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off).
Stiffness
After surgery you may experience jaw stiffness and limited opening of your mouth. This is normal and will improve within 5 to 10 days.
Diet
Eat normal, regular meals as soon as possible after surgery. Cold, soft foods such as ice cream or yogurt may be the most comfortable the first day.
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