Please ensure to follow the printed instructions provided for home care. By carefully adhering to these instructions, you can minimize the risk of postoperative infections or any other complications.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day.
- Expect swelling in the operated area, which may become quite significant during the first three days. The swelling might extend under the jaw, into the neck, or around the eye. To reduce swelling, apply ice packs to the face next to the surgical site for twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first six to eight hours after the surgery. If the swelling does not start to decrease after five to seven days, or if it worsens along with increased pain, promptly notify your surgeon.
- Following the surgery, you may experience tightness in the jaw muscles, making it difficult to open your mouth for a few days. To minimize this, begin practicing opening and closing your mouth twenty-four hours after the surgery. If severe stiffness persists for more than two weeks, contact your surgeon.
- It is normal to have a mild earache or sore throat after the operation. If these symptoms persist or worsen after five days, inform our office.
- You may develop bruising on the skin over the side of your face and neck. This side effect will gradually disappear.
- Maintain a nutritious diet throughout the healing period. While a soft diet may be easier to tolerate in the initial days, try to include solid foods as well. In some cases, the teeth near the surgical site may feel slightly loose during the healing process. Avoid chewing hard foods in this area for a couple of weeks after the surgery.
- Starting the day after the surgery, maintain good oral hygiene by gently rinsing your mouth after every meal. You may brush your teeth carefully, avoiding the surgical sites. This will provide a more pleasant taste, help prevent infection, and reduce the chances of delayed healing.
- It is not uncommon to experience a slight fever for one or two days following the surgery. If the fever persists beyond three to five days, notify your surgeon. Take all prescribed medications and follow the instructions on the prescription.
- Additional side effects from general anesthesia may include a sore throat or generalized muscle stiffness, particularly in the neck and chest area.
- Depending on the extent of your surgery, be prepared to rest at home and limit your activities for several days.