BEFORE SURGERY

Tips and Recommendations

Pre-operative instructions for all patients

During your initial consultation with Dr. El-Hakim, Dr. Makhoul or Dr. Gigliotti, you will discuss what to expect before, during, and after your surgery. A list of pre-operative instructions will be provided to help you properly prepare and to ensure that you have a successful procedure. If an unforeseen circumstance requires you to change or cancel your scheduled appointment, we ask that you provide us with a 48 hours notice.

Do not ignore a head or a chest cold when oral surgery is to be performed. Call immediately if you have any of these symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain or generalized fatigue. A change of appointment may be necessary.

On the day of the surgery, be sure that a responsible person accompanies you to your appointment. It will be necessary for this person to remain at the office during surgery and to drive you home.

Don’t forget, someone must stay with you the day and the night after your surgery.

Plan on resting the remainder of the day of your surgery, and anywhere from 1-3 days after depending on the difficulty of the procedure. Additional days may be required before you might be able to return to work. Please discuss this with our office ahead of time.

On the day of the procedure:

  • Don’t take medications unless prescribed by or approved by your surgeon, especially sleeping pills, tranquillizers, or aspirin.
  • Don’t take your morning medications as usual, unless otherwise instructed by your oral surgeon.
  • If you have to take any medication, take it with a small sip of water and as early in the morning as possible.
  • Don’t drive for 24 hours after surgery.
  • Don’t smoke for 24 hours before your surgery.
  • Don’t wear jewelry, including tongue studs, earrings and rings.
  • Don’t wear fingernail polish or acrylic fingernails.
  • Don’t wear contact lenses.

Important things to remember

Fasting
  • This is very important in assuring safety during anesthesia, and your cooperation is crucial. You must not eat for eight hours before your surgery, which means no food, gum or candy. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your surgery as it can be life-threatening.
  • You may drink clear liquids (water, apple juice, etc.) up until 4 hours prior to your arrival time at the office.
Birth control pills
If you are taking birth control pills please be aware that the effectiveness of the pill may be compromised. Therefore, other methods of birth control must be employed throughout the next complete cycle.
Heart or Blood Pressure
If you take medication for your heart or blood pressure every morning, please take them the morning of the surgery. (Note: They can be taken with a small sip of water if you have morning surgery.)
Insulin
If you take insulin for diabetes (high blood sugar), and you have a morning surgery, do not take your insulin or eat breakfast. Please bring your insulin kit with you to the office so we can treat you as needed with the insulin prescribed by your primary care physician during or after surgery. If you have an afternoon surgery, we will discuss this with you at our office during your pre-op meeting.
Tobacco
Please do not smoke for at least 24 hours prior to and at least 5 days after your surgery because nicotine and tar adversely affect normal healing. Do not use tobacco products until the surgical site has healed.
Alcohol
Do not ingest alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours before and at least 48 hours after your surgery.
Sleep
Go to bed early the evening before your surgery. A well-rested patient is much more comfortable.
Brushing your teeth
Please brush your teeth prior to your appointment. This will help reduce the number of bacteria and therefore the chance of an infection.
Clothing
Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing. Short sleeves are preferable. Do not wear tight clothing on the day of the appointment.
Electronics
The use of electronic devices for recording purposes is not permitted. This includes: cameras, tape recorders, cell phones, iPods/iPads and laptop computers. Any electronic device with photo, video or audio recording capabilities is not permitted in the surgical areas.

Implantology and Maxillofacial Surgery Center

We accept new patients without a referral