At North Tarrant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we understand that planning for any type of surgery can be difficult. The majority of patients just want to know how long recovery will take and when they can get back to their regular routines.
For your convenience, we came up with three helpful tips to prepare you for your surgery. These tips will help you get optimal results and a positive post-surgery experience. Follow these guidelines to prepare for treatment, and you’ll be on your way to a brighter smile sooner than you think!
Stock Up on Easy, Soft Food Options
You should be prepared for some swelling and soreness after surgery, and we strongly recommended that you eat soft foods while your mouth is healing. If your procedure requires anesthetics, keep in mind that you will be unable to drive after your surgery. Visit the grocery store the night before your procedure, instead of relying on someone else to bring you food.
Rather than going hungry or settling for tougher foods that can slow the healing process, stock up on your favorite soft foods (we like fruit mashes, nutritional drinks, yogurts, soups, and mashed potatoes). Planning ahead will ensure that you have the nourishment you need to heal properly.
Plan Your Schedule Strategically
You probably have responsibilities that you want to resume as soon as possible after surgery, but you need adequate recovery time to avoid unnecessary complications or discomfort. If you try to resume normal activities too soon, you are putting yourself at risk for complications or even infections, which will only prolong healing.
Luckily, most oral surgeries are outpatient procedures that require minimal recovery time. Try to pick a surgery date when you know you can take a little extra time off to relax and recover.
Plan Fun and Relaxing Activities to Keep Yourself Busy
Staying occupied will help you avoid any temptations to do activities that may delay your healing.
Keeping your mind busy and planning some different activities to do post-surgery will make you feel better throughout the recovery process. Try reading a new book, watching movies, completing some challenging puzzles, or playing games to keep you occupied and entertained. These type of activities will not put too much stress on your body post-surgery and can help your recovery time go by quicker.
Your recovery should be your number one priority if you want to get optimal results from your procedure. We strive to make sure your entire treatment is efficient and successful, and hopefully these tips help!
Make sure you discuss your recovery time and specific pre- and post-operative instructions with us prior to your procedure. If you have any more questions, or would like to schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact our office.