Once you are in your room, you may have visitors. We will try to accommodate your needs and your family’s needs for contact. We also must respect the rights and needs of other patients. Please check with the nurses about visiting guidelines for your unit. Visitors may be asked to leave when the doctors or nurses come to see you.
You will be encouraged to drink fluids. The intravenous (IV) will be taken out only when all the IV medications have been given and you are drinking enough fluids.
Once you feel steady on your feet, you will be encouraged to get up and walk. You may need help walking on the first day.
The resident surgeons will see you every morning. Please tell them if you have any concerns or problems.
Facial swelling can go up over 3 days and will gradually go down over 3-4 weeks. Ice packs will be placed on your face to lessen the swelling.
A dietitian will talk with you about what you can and cannot eat during the healing period. If possible, have the person who will cook your meals at this meeting.
Your upper or lower denture may be secured in your mouth. This allows for the undisturbed healing of the jaw ridges. The surgeon will tell you when the dentures will be taken out.
If your dentures were not secured to your jaw ridges during surgery, the surgeon will tell you when you can start wearing your dentures. It is very important not to wear the dentures until this time.
It is very important to rinse your mouth as instructed. The surgeon and residents will talk about mouth care with you. Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is necessary to prevent infection.
If bone was taken from your hip or skin was taken from your thigh, you may find it uncomfortable to walk for several days. This will get better and is normal.
If bone was taken from your hip or skin was taken from your thigh, AVOID taking a bath for a period of time. It is OK to take a shower.
The surgeon can only estimate how many days you will be in hospital. You will be discharged only when you are eating and drinking well and are comfortable.
