Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Gold Coast - Pacific Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Pre-operative Instructions

1. After any general anaesthetic procedure, it will be necessary for someone to accompany you home and you should not perform any of the following activities within the first 24 hours: driving a car, using public transport without assistance, operating machinery, signing important documents or drinking alcohol.

2. Fasting (ceasing all food and drink including water) is necessary for six hours prior to your operation.

3. Please start any pre-operative medications as indicated one day in advance of the operation date.

4. Separate scripts for post-operative medications will be given to you on the day of the operation if required.

Post-operative Care Instructions

1. Take medications as prescribed. (If they make you ill/wheeze/itch then cease taking them and contact the surgery or myself as soon as possible), Pain relief medications are best taken prior to experiencing any discomfort for best results. Repeat scripts for pain relief medications can be obtained via your local pharmacy - please contact me to arrange for scripts.

2. It is very important to keep the wounds clean for the first two weeks to ensure rapid healing. Please rinse your mouth 3 times per day with warm salty water until you are able to return to normal tooth brushing.

3. Ice packs (provided by the hospital) will be of use to decrease swelling and discomfort during the first few days.

4. Blood tinged 'oozing' from your mouth will occur for 1-3 days depending on the extent of your operation.

5. Facial swelling and soreness will be maximal between the second and third day after the operation (Le. swelling may continue to increase after the first day has passed).

6. Please recommence eating as soon as possible. This will aid rapid healing and also allow you to tolerate the medications more easily. A soft diet is recommended. (i.e. scrambled eggs/yoghurt/jelly/milk shakes).

7. Refrain from all cigarettes and alcohol for at least 7 days after your operation, in order to assist early healing and lessen the chance of post-operative complications.

8. You will receive a post operative phone call the day after surgery (if your procedure was performed on Friday you will be contacted on Monday) by our nurse.

9. If you have any further questions in relation to the operation or this form, please contact the surgery on 07 55 031744. For urgent after hours please contact Dr Tite on the number provided on his discharge instruction sheet.