Surgical Instructions

JAW SURGERY POSTOPERATIVE ORDERS

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

 1. About your medications:

     ** Take all your medicine as directed.  If you feel it is not helping, call your doctor.
         Do not quit taking it unless instructed or you have a reaction.
     ** Keep track of what medications you are taking and when you are taking them.
     ** If you are taking antibiotics, take them until they are all gone, even if you feel better.
     ** If you are taking medications, which make you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy machinery.

2.  Follow-up appointment.

     ** If you have not been given a follow-up appointment, please call the appointment desk at 916-797-2700

3.  DO – Post-operative instructions:

     ** Ice the surgical area for the first twenty four to forty eight hours after surgery.
         Place it on the surgical area for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, as you need it.
         Place the ice in a plastic bag and cover it with a towel.  Do not sleep with the
         ice pack in place.  Ice helps with the swelling and bruising.
     ** After the first twenty-four hours you can place moist heat to the surgical area.
         Remember your face is numb; do not place excessively hot or cold items
         directly on your skin!
     ** Do brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush three times a day.  Good
         dental hygiene is necessary to decrease the chance for infection.
     ** After you brush, use the non-alcoholic mouthwash three times a day.
     ** If you want to use warm salt-water rinses it is okay.
     ** Use warm saltwater rinses 6 - 10 times a day.
     ** You can use a cool mist humidifier to help you breath easier.
     ** Sleep with your head elevated on 3 to 4 pillows.
     ** Shower as usual.
     ** Be very careful shaving your face since areas are numb.

4.  Postoperative diet

     ** You are on a liquid diet for two weeks, followed by soft diet advances as tolerated
over the next four to six weeks.  IF IT HURTS WHILE CHEWING IT IS TOO HARD!
     ** Eat several times a day.  Postoperative healing depends on good nutrition.
         DO NOT ATTEMPT A WEIGHT LOSS PLAN. Vitamins are encouraged.

5.  DO NOT

     ** DO NOT blow your nose if you have had upper jaw surgery.
     ** DO NOT lift anything heavy or do strong exercise until your doctor says it is
         okay.
     ** DO NOT participate in contact sports such as football or basketball for at least
         three months postoperatively.
     ** DO NOT use a water pick for the first two weeks or when indicated by your
         surgeon.

6.  CALL KING ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY CENTER  at 916-797-2700.

     ** You develop problems.
     ** Bleeding is bright cherry red and is more than when you went home.
     ** You have any concerns about your surgical procedure or healing process.
     ** You have difficulty breathing.
     ** You have a reaction to your medications.
     ** You have a sudden increase in your temperature.
     ** You have a sudden increase in facial swelling.

Instructions after having Jaw Unwired.

Instructions Following Surgical Wires Being Removed

DIET:

  •  At first, it will be difficult to open your mouth and you will need to chew slowly.
  • Follow a soft diet for another two weeks.
  • You can gradually increase the consistency of your diet to include items such as chicken, tender red meat, salads and fresh fruits.
  • You will probably find it necessary to cut up your foods into small pieces.
    Remember, biting into hard foods such as hard French bread or whole carrots could cause displacement of the healing jaw segments.

ACTIVITY:

  • You may gradually increase your physical activities.
  • Physical activities that require very heavy lifting, or activities where the jaws would have a tendency to be hit or jarred, should be avoided for three months.  The bones do not need additional trauma to the area while healing is taking place.

HYGIENE:

  • Continue with good oral hygiene.
  • You might find it necessary to continue using a child-size toothbrush.
  • Tooth paste is acceptable.
  • You may begin using a water pik on a gentle setting.

RUBBER BANDS:

  • Rubber bands will be placed on your braces for support of your jaw bones and to guide you into your new bite.
  • You should wear them 24-hours a day.
  • Remove the rubber bands to eat or brush your teeth.
  • Change them every day as they will tend to lose their elasticity.
  • You should continue to wear them for four to six weeks unless otherwise directed by your orthodontist.