What to Expect Before, During and After Cleft Lip Treatment
A cleft lip is a slight opening that has been created between the mouth, nose, and the upper lip. It doesn’t just affect your overall appearance, it also affects your speech and the ability to perform certain everyday tasks. The cleft lip treatment is a surgical procedure performed by an oral surgeon to help treat this condition.
If you are considering undergoing cleft lip treatment, it is important to learn more about what to expect with this type of surgical procedure.
What to Expect Before Cleft Lip Treatment
Preparation for correcting a cleft lip starts with a consultation appointment. This gives your oral surgeon a chance to better understand how best to treat your cleft lip. It additionally gives you the opportunity to ask any questions as to how your overall day to day life and activities can change after the surgery.
After the consultation, the next time you will need to prepare for your upcoming cleft lip surgery is the night before the surgery. The following things will need to be done that night and the following day before the procedure:
- Stop consuming all food at least 12 hours before the procedure
- Stop consuming clear liquids, such as water or juice, two hours before the procedure
- Purchase all necessary items, such as Q-Tips and antibiotic ointment, that will be needed to help with aftercare
What to Expect During the Procedure for Cleft Lip Repair
Before your oral surgeon performs your cleft lip surgery, your vital signs will be taken. This information will be needed to help determine if it is safe to administer general anesthesia before the procedure.
Right before the procedure, general anesthesia will be administered either through an IV or through a mask. During the procedure, your oral surgeon will be doing the following:
- Make a small incision along the top of the lip
- Fuse the two sides of the lip together
- Reshape the lip so it can properly function
What to Expect After Cleft Lip Repair Surgery
Once your oral surgeon has completed performing your surgery, the general anesthesia is stopped and you will slowly start to wake up. While you are waiting to wake up from the general anesthesia you will be taken to a recovery room.
After your surgery, you may experience some pain and discomfort. Pain medication can be administered in order to help you feel more comfortable.
One of the things you can expect to experience after cleft lip surgery is swelling of the scar. The scar that is created from the surgery will appear red, lumpy, and swollen for several weeks after the surgery. It will eventually fade, but for several weeks after the surgery, it will still be visible.
Other things to expect after surgery for cleft lip include:
- Try to avoid putting anything in the mouth for prolonged periods of time
- Watch out for signs of infections around the scar area
- Keep the area near the scar clean
- Follow through with any and all recommended aftercare appointments
Oral Surgeon in Melbourne, Florida Who Performs Cleft Lip Surgery
Curious to see if cleft lip treatment is right for you? Contact Dr. Sedaros to schedule a consultation and ask any questions about your life before and after cleft lip surgery. Call our office at (321)-610-7868 to schedule an oral surgery consultation today!