Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions
Diverse age group of patients smiling.
Discharge Checklist – Preprosthetic Surgery
  • Have the surgeons told you that you are ready for discharge?
  • Have you arranged for a drive home?
  • Have you had X-rays taken after your surgery?
  • Has the dietitian spoken with you about what you can and cannot eat?
  • Do you have a follow-up appointment for the Oral Surgery Clinic?
  • Do you have instructions from the oral surgeons about your care at home?
  • Do you know when to have your stitches taken out?
  • Do you have your prescriptions?
If You Stay In Hospital – Preprosthetic Surgery
  • 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.
After Surgery – Preprosthetic Surgery
  • You will be taken to the recovery area. You will stay there for 1-4 hours depending on the length of your surgery.
  • The nurses will take your vital signs several times during your stay there. This is normal.
  • Medications will be given to make you comfortable, prevent nausea, and lessen facial swelling. These medications will be given to you by intravenous (IV) until you are drinking well.
  • A nurse will help you to the bathroom until you are steady on your feet.
  • You will have stitches near your waistline if bone was taken from your hip. These stitches are often covered by tape for several days. You may have a bandage over your thigh if skin was taken from there.
  • Once you are fully awake and comfortable, you will be taken to your hospital room if you are not able to go home.
 
Day of Surgery – Preprosthetic Surgery
  • You will be asked to arrive at the hospital at least 1 1/2 hours before your operation. Go to the Same Day Surgery Unit on the 10th floor of the Victoria Building, Victoria General site.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. Your surgery will be cancelled if you eat or drink after this time. Nausea and vomiting are more likely to happen during or shortly after your operation if you eat or drink.
  • Note to patients not staying overnight in hospital: You will need to have someone with you to take you home at the end of the operation. Your surgery will be cancelled if you do not have a drive home. Under no circumstance will you be allowed to drive yourself home - you are legally impaired for 24 hours.
  • Stop smoking at least 24 hours before your operation. Smoking can make your recovery harder and can delay healing. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the hospital grounds. This includes electronic cigarettes.
  • Do not bring valuables to the hospital. The hospital is not responsible for them.
  • The nurse will ask you several health questions and take your vital signs.
  • Tell the nurse if you have any food or drug allergies.
  • You may need blood tests.
  • The oral surgeon may speak with you if he or she hasn’t yet.
  • If the surgeon asks you to, please bring your dentures to the Operating Room in a denture cup that the nurse will give you.
  • You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. Please do not wear any undergarments.
  • Please give the nurse the name and phone number of the person you want contacted after your operation.
  • Note to those waiting: Patients who are having preprosthetic surgery are usually in the Operating Room and recovery area for 2-6 hours. The length of time depends on the type of surgery needed. At the end of the operation, the surgeon will contact a friend or family member when asked to do so by the patient.
Questions Or Concerns Once You Are Home
Urgent questions If you experience any of the following:
  • Bleeding from the wound
  • Discharge from the wound
  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • Significant nausea and/or vomiting
  • Increasing pain or pain not improving
  • Significant increase in swelling
  • Shift in bite (your teeth move, so it feels different when you bite into something)
  • Fever
  • The loss of several elastics or wires causing a loosening of the jaw immobilization (if present)
Call 902-473-5238 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Messages will be returned as soon as possible. If it’s busy or outside of the above hours, call 902-473-2222 and ask for the oral surgery resident on call. Stay on the line and the resident will be with you shortly. Non-urgent questions Call the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, Victoria General site between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The phone number is 902-473-2070. Messages will be returned as soon as possible.
Discharge Checklist – Temporomandibular Joint Surgery
  • 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?
  • Have you received a follow-up appointment for the Oral Surgery Clinic?
  • Have you received instructions from the oral surgeons about your care at home?
  • Have you been told when to have your stitches removed?
  • If your jaws are wired together, have you received a pair of wire cutters and instructions on their use?
  • Do you have your prescriptions?
  • Have the surgeons suggested when you can return to work?
After Your Surgery – Temporomandibular Joint Surgery
  • You will be taken to the recovery area. You will remain there for 1-4 hours depending on the length of your surgery
  • The nurses will take your vital signs several times during recovery. This is normal
  • You will be given medications to make you comfortable, prevent nausea, and help reduce facial swelling. These will be given by 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 gradually reduce over 3-4 weeks. Ice packs may be used to minimize the amount of swelling
  • A small amount of blood will ooze from your nose and surgical incisions for the first 2 days. This is normal
  • You may have stitches in front of your ear or under your jaw. These stitches are often covered by tape for several days
  • You may have a pressure bandage over the stitches in front of your ear
  • You will have stitches on your chest if a rib bone was used to repair your jaw joint
  • Your jaws may be fixed together with either elastics or wires. This allows for the proper healing of the bones
  • You may find it hard to swallow and talk if your jaws are fixed together. This will improve after a couple of 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 through
  • Once you are fully awake and comfortable, you will be taken to your hospital room
  • You will be able to have visitors once you are in a hospital room. 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 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
  • A dietitian will talk with you about what you can and cannot eat during the healing period. If possible, have the person who will be cooking your meals at this meeting
  • It is very important to rinse your mouth as you are told. The surgeon and residents will talk about mouth care with you. Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is necessary to prevent infection. Do not brush your teeth until told to do so. Brushing your teeth too soon after the surgery can damage the stitches in your mouth
  • The resident surgeons will see 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
  • If a rib bone was used for your jaw joint surgery you will be asked to AVOID taking a bath for a period of time
  • The surgeon will tell you what activities you will need to avoid to allow for proper healing of the jaw joints after surgery
The Day of Surgery – Temporomandibular Joint Surgery (Jaw Joint)
  • You will be asked to arrive at the hospital at least 1½  hours before your operation. You will go to the Same Day Surgery Unit on the 10th floor of the Victoria Building, Victoria General Hospital site
  • Note to patients not staying overnight in hospital: You will need to have someone take you home after your operation. Your surgery will be cancelled if you do not have a drive home. Under no circumstance will you be allowed to drive yourself home, as you are legally impaired for 24 hours
  • Do not bring valuables to the hospital. The hospital is not responsible for them
  • Please brush your teeth well before coming to the hospital. Do not swallow any water
  • The nurse will ask you several health questions and take your vital signs
  • Be sure to tell the nurse if you have any food or drug allergies
  • You may need some blood tests
  • The oral surgeon may speak with you unless he or she has already done so
  • You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. Please do not wear any undergarments
  • Please give the nurse the name and phone number of the individual you want contacted after your surgery
  • Note to those waiting: Patients who are having TMJ surgery are usually in the Operating Room and recovery area for 2-8 hours. The length of time depends on the type of surgery needed. At the end of the procedure, the surgeon will contact a friend or family member when asked to do so by the patient
The Day Before Surgery – Temporomandibular Joint Surgery
Stop smoking at least 24 hours before your operation. Smoking can make your recovery more difficult and can delay healing. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the grounds of the hospital. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. Your surgery will be cancelled if you eat or drink after this time. Nausea and vomiting may occur during or shortly after your operation.
At Home – Corrective Jaw Surgery
  • You will be given prescriptions for antibiotics and pain pills if needed. It is very important to take these as instructed
  • You will be given a return appointment before you go home. This will enable the doctor to follow your progress and identify any problems
  • Continue to follow the diet recommended by your dietitian. You can expect a 5-10 pound weight loss. A greater weight loss should be reported to the doctor
  • Continue to brush your teeth as instructed. Rinse with salt and water (1 /2 tsp. salt in 8 oz. of water) as needed. Gum breakdown and accompanying soreness should be reported to the doctor
  •  For at least 2 weeks after discharge, you should lead a relaxed and quiet life. You will find that you have less energy than usual and need more rest. After 2 weeks, you may resume your usual activities. You must avoid contact sports and swimming while the jaws are wired
  • Do not drink alcohol while your jaws are wired
  •  Report signs of infection (such as fever, chills, increased pain, and swelling) to your oral surgeon
  •  You should have a humidifier in the bedroom to moisten the air
Discharge Check List – Corrective Jaw Surgery
  • 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?
After Your Surgery – Corrective Jaw Surgery
  • 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. 
The Day of Surgery – Corrective Jaw Surgery
  • You will be asked to arrive at the hospital at least 11/2 hours before your operation. Go to the Same Day Surgery Unit on the 10th floor of the Victoria Building, Victoria General.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. Your surgery will be cancelled if you eat or drink after this time. Nausea and vomiting are more likely to occur during or shortly after your operation.
  • Stop smoking at least 24 hours before your operation. Smoking can make your recovery more difficult and can delay healing. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the hospital grounds.
  • Do not bring valuables to the hospital. The hospital is not responsible for them.
  • The nurse will ask you several questions about your health and take your vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration).
  • Be sure to tell the nurse if you have any medication or food allergies.
  • You may need blood tests.
  • The oral surgeon will speak with you unless he/she has already done so.
  • Please brush your teeth well before coming to the hospital. Do not swallow any water.
  • You will be asked to change into a hospital gown.
  •  Please give the nurse the name and phone number of the individual you want contacted after your operation.
 Note to those waiting: Patients who are having jaw surgery are usually in the Operating Room and recovery area for 4-8 hours. The length of time depends on the type of surgery needed. At the end of the operation, the surgeon will contact a friend or family member when asked to do so by the patient.  
Going Home – After Surgery
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.  
Post Recovery Area – After Surgery
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.
Recovery Area – After Surgery
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.  
Surgical Liaison Nurse – Surgery
The liaison nurse visits the waiting area several times during the day. This nurse will keep your family and friends up to date about our condition and progress. The liaison nurse works Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Waiting Room – Surgery
A waiting area is provided for a relative/friend while you are in surgery/recovery.
The Operating Room – Surgery
  • An OR nurse will interview you and ask you several questions. We ask these questions to meet our surgical safety checklist standards. The OR staff will be dressed in masks, caps, and special clothing to ensure a clean environment.
  • The OR is usually cool. You will be given a warm blanket.
  • The staff will help you move to an OR bed. A belt, similar to a car seat belt, will be placed around you to ensure your safety.
Before you go to sleep, you will have an intravenous (IV) started. Several white disks will be applied to your chest and shoulder. This allows the anesthesiologist to check your heart rate while you are under anesthesia.
  • Depending on the procedure, a larger pad may be placed on your leg, back, or shoulder. This is a grounding pad, and is another safety measure.
  • A clothespin like device, called an Oximeter Probe, will be attached to your finger. It will help the anesthesiologist to measure your oxygen levels during surgery.
  • Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will talk with you just before your anesthesia.
Pre-operative (Pre-op) Preparation – Same Day Surgery Unit
  • You will be prepared for the OR in the Pre Op room. We will ask you to change into hospital clothing: johnny shirt, dressing gown, and slippers.
  • Your clothes and other belongings will be placed in a locker.
  • Your companion can wait with you in the Pre Op area until it is time for you to go to surgery.
  • NO FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE PRE OP ROOM.
The Pre Op nurse will speak to you to complete your admission paperwork. To meet our patient safety standards, the nurse will ask you several questions that you may have already answered. Following the interview with the Pre Op nurse, you will see your anesthesiologist, surgeon, and possibly your OR nurse. Just before leaving for the OR, you will be asked to remove your dentures  and eye glasses. These can be returned to you after your operation in the Recovery area. You will wait in the Pre Op room until it is time for you to go to surgery. Your family may wait with you.
Valuables – Getting Ready for Surgery
Leave all valuables (jewellery, money, credit cards, cheque books) at home. The hospital is not responsible for the loss of any item. All jewellery including toe rings must be removed at home. Any item used to pierce ANY body part such as the nose, belly button, tongue, or ear must be removed.
Hearing Aids – Getting Ready for Surgery
If you wear a hearing aid, bring it and a storage case with you. It will be returned to you in the recovery area after your surgery. Depending upon how much hearing loss you have, you may be able to wear it to the OR.
Glasses or Contact Lenses – Getting Ready for Surgery
Bring a case to store your glasses when they are not being used. Your glasses will be taken from you just before you go to the OR. They will be returned to you in the recovery area. Do not wear contact lenses. If this is not possible, please bring your lens container and cleaning solutions. Remember to tell your nurse that you are wearing contact lenses. They must be removed before you go to the OR.
Dentures – Getting Ready for Surgery
You may wear your dentures to the hospital. Just before you go the Operating Room (OR), you will be asked to remove your dentures and place them in a denture cup labelled with your name.