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Preparing for Anesthesia and Your Procedure

The majority of the medical procedures performed by an oral surgeon are considered to be outpatient. The procedure is usually performed in an office setting or hospital-like setting, but it means that you will be sent home a few hours later and you will be responsible for your aftercare.

In order to avoid any problems with your aftercare, it is important that you properly prepare for your outpatient procedure. Use the following tips to help you properly prepare for your upcoming oral surgery.

Tip #1: Schedule a Consultation or Appointment with Your Oral Surgeon

Most oral surgeons will usually require you to schedule a pre-procedure appointment or consultation before they will even schedule your procedure. This appointment is designed to help you understand the procedure that is being performed, explain any aftercare that is required, and give you an opportunity to have any questions answered about the procedure.

If your oral surgeon does not require a pre-procedure appointment or consultation, you can always request to have one scheduled. It is important that you feel confident that you not only understand what the procedure is that is being performed, but that you understand any and all aftercare instructions that will be provided. The pre-procedure appointments and consultations are the perfect time to help you get your questions answered.

Tip #2: Schedule Transportation for After Your Procedure

Anesthesia is typically administered during most oral surgery procedures and because it is a sedative and you will be dizzy and drowsy, you will be unable to drive yourself home. In fact, you will be unable to drive for 24 to 48 hours.

Make sure you make arrangements to have someone drive you home from your surgery. If you arrive the day of the procedure without a scheduled ride home, your oral surgeon may require you to reschedule the procedure.

Tip #3: Preparing the Night Before for Anesthesia

If anesthesia is being administered during your procedure, you will be given a list of pre-procedure instructions that need to be followed. The instructions usually outline things you will need to do approximately 24 hours before your procedure to prepare.

Some examples of things you may need to do the night before your procedure include:

  • Not eat or drink anything after a specific time – most surgeons recommend not eating or drinking after midnight, but some say eight hours before the procedure
  • Avoid taking any specific medications – your oral surgeon will tell you if there is any particular medication, such as a blood thinner, that he or she may need you to not take before the procedure. Make sure you provide your oral surgeon with an accurate and up-to-date list of medications before the procedure.
  • Take any specific medications – sometimes you may be told to start a certain type of medication, like an antibiotic, before your oral surgery

Tip #4: Be Prepared for any Pain and Discomfort After the Procedure

The last thing you will want to do after your procedure is have to go searching for ice packs or over-the-counter pain medication. Before your procedure make sure you take time to fully prepare yourself with anything you will need to relieve any pain or discomfort you may experience after the procedure.

Some things to do include:

  • Filling any prescriptions that may be needed – ask your oral surgeon to provide you with any prescriptions, such as pain relievers, before your appointment so you can get them filled
  • Keep over-the-counter pain medication around – Even if you are given prescription pain medication, you will be told to try to transition to over-the-counter pain medication. Make sure you have some on hand.
  • Keep ice packs and heating packs around – these will help with pain relief and swelling

Before your schedule oral surgery with Dr Sedaros you will be given a list of pre-procedure and after-procedure instructions to follow. If you have any questions about the instructions provided or the procedure you are having performed, feel free to call our office. We will gladly answer any questions you may have about preparing for your procedure.