Pre-operative Instructions

The following instructions may be helpful when preparing for your upcoming surgery. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any last minute questions. We can be reached at Poway Office Phone Number 858-485-1180 during regular business hours.

You should receive your pre/post-operative prescriptions with this instruction sheet. For your convenience, please have them filled prior to your scheduled surgery, unless they have been previously phoned into the pharmacy of your choice. Please bring your filled prescriptions with you to your appointment. 

It may be important to stop taking aspirin and non-steroidals such as Motrin and Advil, 7-10 days prior to your surgery. If you are taking Coumadin or another blood thinner, we will communicate and coordinate discontinuation of the medication prior to surgery with your physician. If you take antibiotic premed, please take it as directed before your surgery. We keep the office cool, so dress warmly with loose clothing.

In order to evaluate your progress and healing, we will see you for post-operative checks during the first 1-5 weeks. In most cases, after surgery we will also look forward to seeing you back for a periodontal maintenance cleaning and an examination of tissue maturation about 10-12 weeks following the surgery.

Antibiotics

Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics. You will be prescribed an antibiotic if our doctor determines it to be necessary. Take as directed until gone. It is advisable not to take these medications on an empty stomach, as nausea may result. For women taking birth control pills, be advised that antibiotics may interfere with their effectiveness.

IV Sedation and Sedatives

If you elect to undergo your procedures with IV sedation, it is important to not eat or drink for 4 hours prior to your treatment appointment and have a ride to and from the office. We will start an IV and administer sedative and anti-anxiety medications intravenously.

If you elect to use one of the following oral sedatives you must have a ride to and from the office. Please bring your remaining tablets with you. Remember, we encourage you to eat prior to your surgery.

  • Ativan (Lorazepam)
  • Valium (Diazepam)
  • Triazalam (Halcion)

Food Suggestions

When preparing a post-op menu, please consider some of the following choices:

  • Ensure/Slim Fast
  • Soups
  • Pudding
  • Rice
  • Well-steamed and very soft vegetables
  • Apple Sauce
  • Oatmeal
  • Macaroni
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Jell-O
  • Bananas
  • Yogurt
  • Pasta
  • Smoothies (without citrus and no straws)
  • Milk Shakes (drink without straws)
  • Casseroles
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Cottage Cheese