Many people assume that oral surgery is a scary experience that elicits feelings of fear and anxiety. If you have been booked for oral surgery, there could be several thoughts running through your mind, especially if this is your first time to go under the knife. You might be wondering: What will it feel like? How long will it take to recover? Will the operation be successful? It is normal for you to ask yourself these questions pertaining to your upcoming operation. Luckily, you are about to discover how you can efficiently prepare for oral surgery so as to ensure that the operation runs smoothly. Here are some tips that you should implement:
1. Have an open discussion with your dentist
There are different types of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Before you undergo the procedure, it would be helpful for you to consult your dentist and ask them any burning questions that you may have. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to ask questions that might seem basic. As a patient, you have the right to seek and obtain information concerning any procedure to be performed on your body. Hence, you should organize for a pre-operative appointment with your dental surgeon during which you can ask him/her any questions that you may have.
2. Make arrangements for post-operative care
After the oral surgery, you might not be in a position to drive yourself home due to the effects of the sedation medication. Thus, you should make prior arrangements for someone to pick you up from the hospital and take you home. If you have kids, then you should also organize for someone to pick them up from school since you might not be able to do this.
3. Learn about the pre-operative and post-operative dietary guidelines
If you are going to be put under local or general anesthesia, you might be required to refrain from eating and drinking for several hours before the operation. You should inquire from the dentist about any pre-operative guidelines. In addition, after the operation, you might be required to avoid smoking and eating certain foods for several days or weeks until you recover completely. Be sure to follow these instructions keenly to avoid complications.
4. Find out about payment procedures
If you are planning to use medical insurance to pay for oral surgery, you should contact your insurance agent to inform them about the nature of the procedure and its cost. In some cases, your insurance policy might only cover a portion of the cost. If this is the case, then it is important for you to know in advance so that you can plan how you are going to clear the balance.
