Post-Op Instructions

These instructions apply to a surgical procedure you just underwent. They are ¡designed to help you minimize post-surgical discomfort and inform you of situations that may require special attention.
 
Please note that if your prescribed pain medication is not helping, do not boost it with additional acetaminophen, or Tylenol. This may exceed the safety level of acetaminophen. Please contact the office with any questions you may have.
 

ANTIBIOTICS

Please alert the staff to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics so that Dr. Juluri may help you find one to which you will not react. Dr. Juluri may prescribe an antibiotic following your surgical procedure and he suggests you take it as directed until gone unless you are reacting to it. One way to avoid nausea is to avoid taking these medications on an empty stomach. Taking the antibiotic with a full glass of water is one way to minimize nausea and to help the antibiotic dissolve. For women taking birth control pills, antibiotics may interfere with the pill’s effectiveness and alternative forms of birth control may need to be considered.
 

Swelling

Swelling may occur following any surgical procedure and will typically increase two to three days after the procedure. To minimize the swelling, place an ice pack over the outside cheek area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Continue using ice for two to three days following the procedure as often as possible.
 

Bleeding

A small amount of bleeding is normal. If excessive or continuous bleeding occurs:

• Do not rinse your mouth.
• Elevate your head while lying down.
• Apply moistened gauze to the immediate area with moderate pressure with freshly washed hands for 20 minutes; repeat if necessary.
• Enclose a moistened tea bag in a gauze square and apply pressure with freshly washed hands for 20 minutes.

Call the office if bleeding persists.
 

Diet

Until you are comfortable, please avoid chewing on the side where the surgery was completed. Please avoid hot foods and liquids for approximately one hour following the surgery so that you do not burn your mouth while it is still numb. Dr. Juluri recommends a soft diet. Foods such as cottage cheese, oatmeal, soup, eggs, yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, casseroles, and fruits are more easily eaten. Remember, adequate nutrition is essential for feeling better as well as for healing. If the soft diet is not keeping your hunger away, try Ensure or Sustacal which are a total meal in a can. You may make these supplements into a smoothie with crushed ice and remember not to drink them with a straw to avoid disrupting your wound.
 

Smoking

Dr. Juluri asks that you not smoke for at least two weeks following your surgical procedure. Continuing to smoke after surgery will significantly slow your healing, may compromise results and run the risk of you needing retreatment.
 

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
 

Rinsing

Dr. Juluri asks that you not rinse after surgery for two days to one week based on the type of treatment being completed. Rinsing may disrupt the wound or compromise your result. Dr. Juluri will let you know when you may resume rinsing.
 

Brushing

Do not brush the surgical site. You may resume normal brushing/flossing in other areas the following day.
 

Additional Instructions

Depending on your surgical procedure, you will be provided a special set of written instructions which will be reviewed with you at the appropriate time.