Brisbane Maxillofacial Surgery - Brisbane's Best Maxillofacial
Brisbane Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialist practice with a focus on surgery of the face, jaw and mouth.
Post-Operative instruction's following general Anaesthesia
Bleeding/packs
A small amount of bleeding and blood-stained saliva are not uncommon for several days after oral surgery. This bleeding can usually be controlled with direct pressure. You will be discharged from hospital with a packet of gauze. Slightly moisten a gauze pack and bite down firmly for 30 minutes, whilst resting quietly with your head elevated. If the bleeding does not subside after repeating the above in a further 30 minutes, please contact our surgery.
Swelling/bruising
These are normal responses to surgery and vary from person to person. Swelling takes 2 - 3 days to reach its maximum and 7 - 10 days to subside. Applying ice packs (20 minutes on/20 minutes off) for the first 1 - 2 days and moving the jaw (talking/chewing) can help minimise the swelling and associated jaw stiffness.
Oral hygiene/infection
It is essential to maintain a very high standard of oral hygiene after having oral surgery, to help decrease the risk of infection and to aid in fast healing. Do not rinse your mouth on the day of surgery.
The day after surgery, gently rise your mouth with warm salty water teaspoon of salt in a tumbler of warm water) 3-4 times per day and keep this up for 5 days. Warm salty water will also help dissolve any sutures that have been placed. Normal tooth brushing should be recommenced as soon as possible. Infection is uncommon as long as excellent oral hygiene is maintained and antibiotics are taken as prescribed.
Diet
Do not eat or drink anything too hot or too cold the day of surgery as this may stimulate bleeding. A liquid or soft diet may be required initially, with a gradual return to normal diet over the following 5 - 7 days. Avoid drinking alcohol whilst on antibiotics and strong painkillers.
Discomfort
As the long-acting local anaesthetic starts to wear off (6 - 8 hours), start to take regular painkillers (Paracetamol and Ibuprofen (Maxigesic). Stronger painkillers such as (Endone or Palexia) may be prescribed by Dr Akbiyik - these should be taken only as prescribed. Whilst taking stronger painkillers, Maxigesic should still be continued at the same time.
Nausea/Vomiting
These can be due to the general anaesthetic, post-operative medications or swallowing blood. If they do occur, stop taking any medications and take small sips of clear fluids until the nausea and vomiting abate. If vomiting continues for greater than 12 hours, please call our surgery.