Archives: FAQs

• Have the surgeons told you that you are ready for discharge home?
• Have you arranged for a drive home?
• Have you had x-rays taken after surgery?
• Has the dietitian spoken with you?
• Do you have a follow-up appointment at the Oral Surgery Clinic?
• Have you received instructions from the oral surgeons about your care at home?
• If your jaws are wired together, have you received a pair of wire cutters and instructions on their use?
• Have you received your prescriptions?
• Have the surgeons suggested when you can return to work?

• 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. 

You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home from the hospital. When you are ready for discharge, a staff member will call this person. You will not be permitted to walk home or take public transit.

You should have someone at home with you overnight to provide care to you as needed. If you have small children, arrange for someone to help you for a few days if needed.

Bring loose fitting clothing, such as a sweat suit and comfortable shoes to wear home. Anything that fits tightly may cause discomfort 011 your incision. They may be too tight to fit over casts or dressings.

We trust that this pamphlet has helped you. A box for comments is available in the Same Day Surgery Unit. We would like to hear your comments and / or suggestions about this booklet and your hospital stay.

Please use the next page to write down any questions you would like answered.

Instructions about your care at home will be reviewed with you and your questions answered. Your nurse will discuss with you tl1e routines of your surgeon as applicable. Some of these instructions
will include what type of activity you will be able to do when you return home (housework, lifting, driving), appointments for follow-up visits, and prescriptions if needed. You will change into your
clothing.

After 6 p.m. weekdays, weekends, or holidays, you will be discharged from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) . Instructions will be given to you in this area.

You will wake up in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit. (PACU) . Most patients recover from their anesthetic in this area.

The nurse caring for you in the PACU will frequently check your:

• Blood pressure and pulse
• Breathing
• Intravenous
• Dressings

Your nurse will also assess your level of discomfort / pain and give you medications as needed.

You may be sleepy, your mouth may be dry, and there may be a small plastic airway in place to help your breathing. You may be given oxygen for a short time.

The patches, placed on your chest for heart monitoring, may still be in place. The clothespin like device attached to your finger may also be in place to measure your oxygen levels.

There may be a small amount of drainage on your dressings. Do not be alarmed as this often happens. Your nurse will watch this and call the surgeon if needed.

The skin around where you had your surgery may be pink. This is normal. It is a cleansing solution used in the OR to ensure your skin is clean before surgery starts.

When you are more awake and comfortable, you will be taken to the post recovery area to get ready to go home.