Our goal is to ensure your experience is safe and excellent in every way. Please review the following steps to prepare for your upcoming surgical procedure.
Managing your medications before your surgical procedure
- If you no longer need to take opioid medications after surgery please have a plan of disposing of your unused medications.
- Do not use tobacco products, alcohol or any recreational drugs on the day of your procedure. Refraining from tobacco use, recreational drug use and excessive alcohol use for one to three weeks prior to your procedure is highly recommended. Studies have shown that this may decrease the risk of complications related to your procedure.
- For smoking cessation assistance call 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Medications recommended to alter prior to your surgical procedure:
If you are using any of the following medicines, discuss with your prescribing provider or surgeon if and when you should stop taking them:
- Blood Thinner
- Aspirin
Medications to continue on the morning of your surgical procedure:
(Take with a small sip of water.)
- Beta blockers
- Pain medications
- Asthmas/ COPD medications
- Thyroid hormones
- Anti-seizure meds
- Calcium channel blockers
24 Hours before your surgery
What time do I need to arrive for surgery?
The office will communicate what time to arrive to clinic. This is approximately 1hour prior to your scheduled surgery time. Please call your our office the week of your procedure if you have not been told what time to arrive.
Personal Hygiene Preparation
- Showering or Bathing the day before or morning of surgery.
- Face is clean shaven.
- No flammable hair products or wigs.
- All metal body piercings must be removed. Plastic spacers are an acceptable alternative for piercing locations. If any piercings are in the way of surgery or at the risk of being dislodged during the procedure they will be removed by the surgical team and returned to the patient after the procedure.
What to do the day of your surgery?
Follow the pre-surgery instructions about your diet and medications. If you do not follow these instructions, your surgery could be delayed or canceled.
Important
8 HOURS BEFORE SURGERY
STOP eating ALL solid foods and liquids
NO milk or dairy products
NO coffee creamer
NO alcohol
NO Lozenges
*Water can be taken with medication morning of surgery
What do I bring day of surgery?
Bring only what you absolutely need for your stay.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes. NO JEANS, NOTHING WITH METAL. We will have you undress from the waist up and provide hospital gown and slip-free socks. If you wish to keep on a sports bra, that is allowed as long as it does not have metal.
- Your medical and pharmacy insurance cards a government or state-issued photo ID.
- ID card and/or remote for any implanted medical device you may have.
- Cell phone to communicate with family and friends.
- Any legal documentation for power of attorney or legal guardian.
- Advance directives.
What NOT to bring day of surgery?
- Electronics, except cell phones.
- Remove ALL jewelry (including piercings and rings).
- When possible, leave valuable items at home. Valuables will be returned to accompanying friends and family for safe keeping. Seattle Jaw Surgery is not responsible for lost items, including medications.
When do I meet my anesthesiologist?
You will meet your anesthesia provider on the day of your procedure. At that time they will review your medical and surgical history, review your medications and allergies and perform a physical evaluation. Your anesthesia provider will discuss options for anesthesia, determine an anesthetic plan and discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives to this plan. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns with your anesthesia provider.
If you wish to speak with the anesthesiologist before the day of surgery regarding an anesthesia or medical concern, please let our treatment coordinators know and they will arrange a phone call.
Planning for your return home
Please plan for your discharge needs with family or friends prior to your surgery.
- You must have an adult escort to accompany you. Failure to do so will result in your surgery being canceled. You may not drive yourself or travel home by bus. You may take a taxi or car service, but you still must have another adult go with you. Your adult escort must remain within 30mins of facility.
- We suggest you have someone with you at home after your surgery to help with shopping, childcare, lifting, cooking, cleaning, etc.
- If you have questions after you are discharged, contact our office at 206-207-1525.
DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT OPIOID MEDICATIONS AFTER SURGERY?
What is an opioid?
An opioid is a strong prescription pain medication. Some possible side effects include nausea/vomiting, sleepiness/dizziness and, often, constipation.
Common names of opioids
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)
- Oxycodone (Percocet/ OxyContin)
- Tramadol (Ultram)
- Codeine (Tylenol #3, Tylenol #4)
Only use your opioids for the reason they were prescribed.
Using opioids safely
- Ask your surgeon to not use opioids, if it is okay to use over-the counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).
- Use your opioids if you still have severe pain that is not controlled with the over-the-counter medications, or other non-opioid prescriptions.
- As your pain gets better, wait longer between taking opioids.
- Let your doctor know if you are currently taking any benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax).
- Do not mix opioids with alcohol or other medications that can cause drowsiness
- Taking too much of the opioids and/or mixing opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines may cause dangerous side effects including sleepiness, confusion or trouble breathing. An overdose of opioids can cause you to stop breathing and lead to death.
Opioid use puts you at risk of dependence, addiction or overdose.
Understanding pain goals after surgery
Our goal is to control your pain enough to do the things you need to do to heal: walk, sleep, eat and breathe deeply. Things to know:
- Pain after surgery is normal.
- Everyone feels pain differently.
- Pain is usually worse for the first three to five days after surgery.
- Most patients report using less than half of their opioid pills; many patients do not use any of their opioids.
- Keep your pills safely locked up or stored away from others.
- If you no longer need to take opioid medications after surgery please have a plan of disposing of your unused
medications
Thank you for choosing Seattle Jaw Surgery, we value being a part of your care team!