Pre-Operative Instructions

The preoperative instructions outlined below are designed to improve the outcome of your surgery, ensure the safety and effectiveness of your surgery, and decrease the risk of complications. Please take the time to read these instructions at least a week before your surgery so that you will be adequately prepared.

Southwest Oral & Implant Surgery wants to make sure you have the most comfortable and convenient procedure possible. We take great care to help you feel at ease.

CHOICES OF ANESTHESIA:

a) Local Anesthesia
b) Local Anesthesia With Nitrous (laughing gas)
c) IV Sedation (twilight sleep or conscious sedation)
d) General Anesthesia

A topical anesthetic will be applied allowing the tissue to get numb prior to the injection of the local anesthetic. After waiting five minutes, the surgery will then be accomplished.

With local and nitrous, the nitrous will be started a few minutes before the topical and local in an effort to relax the patient and to take the edge off of the injection.

With intravenous sedation the patient is monitored with an EKG, blood pressure, and pulse oximetery, just as they do in the hospital. In fact, the same outpatient procedure is accomplished in our surgical suites, saving a several thousand dollar hospital bill. If the patient is found to be healthy pre-operatively, a very cold spray is applied to the arm decreasing any discomfort from the starting of the IV. Four to six medications are given via IV. Local anesthesia is not given until the patient is asleep. Therefore, the patient will not awaken with any discomfort as they will be numb for any upper jaw surgery for three hours and 8-12 hours on the lower jaw. Approximately a third of patients will not require any post-op pain medications.

You should plan on being in the office two hours. The surgery will take approximately one hour. You should plan on a two day recovery. You will probably feel like sleeping most of the first day and taking it easy around the house. The second day you should be able to do paperwork or work on the phone if you like. Working out, or heavy manual labor, should be postponed for the first 4 days to prevent more bleeding.

Most true general anesthetics are done in the hospital. However, most patients that have had IV sedation feel like they have been completely asleep.

GENERAL OFFICE INFORMATION:

On the day of surgery you will be given written and oral instructions and shown a postoperative movie to educate you about how to take care of yourself after surgery. This will include everything from stopping the oozing to ice packs, rinses, and diet.  Prescriptions for pain, antibiotics, and sometimes, an antibiotic mouth rinse will be given if you did not receive them at the initial consult.

You will need a post-operative appointment visit in one week. Most of the time, resorbable (dissolving) sutures are used so the post-operative appointment is short and without discomfort. If you have had an extraction, a disposable syringe for the irrigation of the socket(s) will be provided at the end of your post-op visit.

PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:

1.	If having IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything (this includes water) after midnight the night prior to surgery or for at least six (6) hours prior to your appointment. You may brush your teeth and rinse as much as you like - but don't swallow anything.
2.	If having IV sedation, have a responsible adult accompany you to the office. He or she must remain in the office during the entire procedure, and drive you home. We recommend that you have a friend or family member stay with you for at least an hour after surgery.
3.	Do not drink any alcoholic beverages 24 hours before surgery.
4.	Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
5.	Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
6.	Do not smoke at least 12 hours before surgery. A good option is to cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery.
7.	Do not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following your procedure.
8.	Contact lenses, all jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
9.	If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office prior to coming in for your appointment.
10.	If you take routine medications of any kind, please check with the doctor prior to your surgical date for instructions. Do not take any nonprescription drugs the day of surgery unless requested by the doctor. Do take prescription drugs if you were advised to do so during your consultation with the doctor.
11.	Get a good night's sleep before your surgery. Please be prompt, in order not to inconvenience other patients. Good oral hygiene is essential for proper healing. Please brush and floss your teeth.
12.	It is a good idea to stock your refrigerator with cool, soft foods such as Jello, pudding, ice cream, etc. You will need to maintain this diet for 18 hours following your surgery.
13.	Please bring your deposit in the amount that was agreed upon at the time of your consultation. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards. We are not able to make changes in financial arrangements on the day of surgery.
14.	Our office will file insurance on behalf of the patient. However, it is the patient who is ultimately responsible for all charges and payments. Students over the age of 18 must submit proof of student status on or before the day of surgery.
15.	If you find it necessary to reschedule your surgery, please contact us 24 hours in advance, otherwise a $100 cancellation fee will be charged and a deposit may be required before any further appointments are made. No shows and failure to follow the doctor's orders which results in the cancellation of surgery including eating or drinking after midnight (if prohibited), failing to discontinue blood thinners, failing to take medication as instructed, etc., will also be subject to the same charge.

 
Please contact our office if you have any questions.