After Cleft Palate and/or Lip Repair
- For the first three weeks after your surgery, the cleft palate repair is not strong enough to resist damage that could be caused by foreign objects (or finger!). In order to prevent injury, promote healing and maintain your comfort, it is important that you follow these guidelines for the first three weeks after surgery.
- Make sure your child uses a cup or the side of a spoon carefully. DO NOT allow your child to chew on anything.
- DO NOT have any hot food or hot fluids.
First Week
- Full liquid diet including:
Milk, juices, well-melted ice cream, slightly warm broth.
You may dissolve gelatin in any of the liquids, but do not eat it in solid form.
Second Week
- Soft diet that consists of foods “that melt in the mouth” such as: ice cream, sherbets, yogurt, puddings, custards, gelatins, pureed baby foods.
Third Week
- Soft diet
Fourth Week
- Usual foods that you would normally eat.
Activity
- Keep your activity to a minimum. Any object you may put in your mouth, (including fingers) could ruin the repair.
Relief of Pain
- You can expect to have mild to moderate pain for a few days. Take pain medication as directed by your doctor.
Problems to report to your doctor right away:
- A fever Temperature over 101
- Severe pain
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Bleeding from the surgical area
- Any direct injury to the repaired palate
Patients who received general anesthesia should return home from our office immediately upon discharge and lie down with the head elevated until all the effects of the anesthesia have disappeared. Anesthesia effects vary by individual, and you may feel drowsy for a short period of time or for several hours. You should not operate any mechanical equipment or drive a motor vehicle for at least 24 hours or longer if you feel any residual effects from the anesthesia. Do not use appliances or equipment that could be dangerous such as power tools, stoves, burners or lawn mowers. Watch out for dizziness. Walk slowly and take your time. Sudden changes of position can also cause nausea or dizziness. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages. The drugs in your body may cause your reaction to alcohol to be dangerous.