Plan

Check your schedule for any important engagements immediately following your procedure. If you are being sedated for your procedure, please be aware – sedation medication usually takes a little time, however, it can take effect immediately. Please arrive on time for your procedure. If you will be sedated for your procedure, a responsible party/driver (spouse, friend or relative) must drive you to and from the dental office. Your responsible party MUST accompany you into the office AND review post-op instructions BEFORE leaving our office prior to your surgery. Driver services such as a taxi, Uber, or Lyft are not sufficient. Prior to taking sedation medication, please share the post-op instructions with your responsible party, and be sure that they know the location of our office and the correct appointment time. Be advised that the sedative drug will affect your senses and memory for as long as 24 hours. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU DRIVE TO OR FROM OUR OFFICE, OR FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS after taking the sedation medication to be sure that it is fully out of your system and that your full senses and faculties have returned. You will need assistance from your responsible party with getting from your home into the office, and back into your home. You will also need a responsible person to take care of you while under the influence of this medication. Your responsible party should stay with you for at least 24 hours following the surgery while you are still under the influence of the oral sedation medication. Please check with your responsible party/driver to assure they are available and can stay with you until the sedation medication has worn off.

Plan to take it easy for the week after surgery and avoid physical exertion (i.e., heavy lifting, high-impact exercise and swimming). TLC* is the best prescription you can give yourself, and you’re worth it.

In order to evaluate your progress and healing, we will see you in one week following the surgery.

*Tender Loving Care

Medication

Some procedures require antibiotics and/or other medications be taken prior to surgery. We will call you prior to your appointment to explain your instructions for prescriptions and call them into the pharmacy of your choice for you. For your convenience, please have them picked up prior to your scheduled surgery. Please bring your filled prescriptions with you to your appointment. Some procedures require antibiotics and/or other medications be taken prior to surgery.

If you take ASPIRIN, COUMADIN, WARFARIN, PLAVIX or OTHER BLOOD THINNING MEDICATIONS, please be sure we are aware of this, as they may need to be discontinued prior to your procedure.  If you take BONIVA, FOSAMAX or other BISPHOSPHONATE medications, please be sure we are aware of this, as you may be required to take a DRUG HOLIDAY from these medications prior to procedures. BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN NORMALLY PER YOUR DOCTORS DIRECTIONS.

Please contact the office 5-7 days prior to your scheduled procedure if you have questions regarding medications you are currently taking in regards to your procedure.

Eating

Prior to Surgery:

Sedation: The day of your appointment, please be sure to follow the directions on your medication bottles. NOTHING TO EAT FOR 6 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE. You may have WATER ONLY.  NO COFFEE, TEA or SODA. If your surgery is scheduled in the morning, have NOTHING TO EAT AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE and WATER ONLY. If you have been prescribed a steroid, this medication may cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach. In this case only, you may take this medication with a piece of toast or something light. Be sure to follow directions on medication bottles regarding medications to be taken at home prior to your procedure.

IF SEDATION MEDICATION IS TO BE TAKEN: Please bring your sedation medication to your surgery appointment. DO NOT TAKE this medication prior to your appointment. The doctor or assistant will administer this medication at the time of your surgery. 

Non Sedation: You should eat a light meal if you are not having sedation for your procedure.

After Surgery:

On surgery day and the day after, keep all food and drink temperatures cold or lukewarm – not hot. Avoid carbonated beverages for 2 – 3 days because this can increase chances for bleeding. Do not use straws for three days. Eat soft foods and avoid hard or crunchy foods until your post-op visit. You will be on a soft diet for several days until you feel that you can chew firmer foods. (Examples: Breakfast: scrambled eggs, Jell-O, puddings, applesauce, yogurt, pancakes, oatmeal. Lunch / Dinner: baked or broiled fish or chicken, soft cooked veggies, potatoes, pasta, ice cream) If surgical areas are in the front part of your mouth, do not bite into any foods. Cut food into bite size portions and chew on non-surgical areas.

Wear

On the day of the surgery, do not wear make up to your procedure, and please remove your nail polish if possible. Contact lenses must also be removed prior to surgery. It is suggested that you wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes for your procedure. If you will be sedated, plan to wear something comfortable to relax in once you arrive home. Please leave all valuables at home.

Contact

Please contact the office at Austin Office Phone Number 512-454-6861 during normal business hours at least five to seven (5-7) days prior to your scheduled procedure date if you have questions regarding medications you are currently taking and your procedure, if you have questions regarding insurance coverage, payment or if you need to reschedule your surgery date so that we may address any questions you may have.

If you have questions, please call the office anytime at:  Austin Office Phone Number 512-454-6861.