You will be taken to the recovery area. You will remain here for 2-4 hours depending on the length of your surgery.
The nurses will take your vital signs several times during your stay. This is normal.
Medications have been ordered to make you comfortable, reduce the amount of swelling, prevent nausea and help with any nasal congestion you may have. These medications will be given through your intravenous (IV) until you are drinking well.
Until you are steady on your feet, a nurse will help you to the bathroom.
Facial swelling will increase over 3 days and will then gradually reduce over 3-4 weeks. Ice packs will be placed on your face for the first 24 hours to help control the amount of swelling.
Bruising can occur.
A small amount of blood will ooze from your mouth and nose for the first 2 days. This is normal. If bleeding from your mouth or nose starts once you are home, call the Oral Surgery Clinic immediately. Between the hours of 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, Monday -Friday, call (902) 473-5238. For all other times or if the above number is busy, call (902) 473-2222 and ask for the oral surgery resident on call.
There may be tape above and below your lips. This helps the healing process. You will be told when it can be removed.
Your jaws may be fixed together with either elastics or wires. This allows for the proper healing of the bones.
You may find it difficult to swallow and talk if your jaws are fixed together. This will improve after a couple days.
Vomiting can occur. Do not panic. Many spaces exist between your teeth even when they are wired together. These spaces will allow the vomit to pass. The nurse will help you.
When you are fully awake and comfortable, you will be taken to your hospital room.
Once you are in your room, you will be able to 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 or another patient.
You will be encouraged to drink fluids. Your IV will be removed 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.
A dietitian will speak with you about what you can and cannot eat during the healing period. If possible, have the person who cooks your meals at this meeting.
It is very important to rinse your mouth as· instructed. The surgeon and residents will discuss mouth care with you. Keeping your mouth clean is needed to prevent infection. Do n9t brush your teeth until told to do so. Brushing your teeth too soon after the surgery can damage the stitches in your mouth.
You will be given mouth and lip exercises to do. This improves the soft tissue healing around your mouth area.
If your lips are dry ask the nurse for cream or ointment.
The resident surgeons will visit you every morning. Please tell them if you have any concerns or problems.
The surgeon can only estimate how many days you will be in hospital. You will be discharged home only when you are eating and drinking well and are comfortable.
Your surgery has involved the surgical cutting of bones. Like bone fractures, it will take many months for the bones to completely heal. During this time avoid any activities that may injure the surgery site.
