Post-Operative Instructions : Oral Biopsy

Oral Biopsy | Clarksville, TN

Post-Biopsy Instructions, Cumberland Surgical Arts and Associates, PLLC

Prescriptions – If you receive a prescription for pain medication, follow the directions on the bottle. You will begin alternating over-the-counter ibuprofen (400 to 600 mg) with your pain medication. Take no other pain medication or sedatives without first discussing with your doctor. Do not operate a motor vehicle or machinery (lawn mower, etc.) while taking the pain medication. Do not take ibuprofen if you have been intolerant of this medication in the past. Take with food if the medication upsets your stomach or causes nausea.
Bleeding – If you experience any bleeding from the surgical site, apply firm pressure for 15 minutes. Please call your doctor if this does not stop the bleeding.
Pain – Take your first pain pill when your prescription is filled. It is better to take pain medication with a small snack or following a meal. If your pain increases dramatically several days after surgery, please notify your doctor.
Diet – Take only liquids or very soft food today. Advance your diet tomorrow as tolerated. Avoid hot, spicy foods for one week. Do not use a straw for the first few days after surgery. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods (soups, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.). It is best to avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, rice, oatmeal, eggs, tortilla chips etc. It is also important not to skip meals. If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits or follow instructions given by your doctor.
Rinsing – DO NOT rinse or spit today. Tomorrow, begin gentle rinsing with the medicated mouthwash prescribed. If you were not prescribed a mouthwash, you will begin gentle rinsing with warm salt water (one teaspoon table salt in 12 ounces of warm tap water) after each meal and at bedtime. You may carefully brush your teeth beginning tonight.
Smoking – DO NOT smoke or use chewing tobacco for at least one week. The heat and toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke are harmful to healing wounds.
Stitches – You may notice some stitches in your mouth. These will dissolve over one or two weeks. Do not be concerned if you lose a stitch prior to the return appointment.