After Sinus Lift

1. Keep gauze in for 2 hours with good pressure.  Then remove gauze and check surgical area for bleeding. If bleeding persists, place fresh gauze over the area with good pressure for 1 hour.  Repeat for 1 more hour if needed.  Oozing is normal. Do NOT replace gauze unless there is active bleeding.
2. Drink plenty of liquids, but try to avoid liquids with caffeine in them.  They will only continue to dehydrate you.
3. Once the bleeding has stopped, get something to eat.  Make sure you stick to softer foods for a week as your gums might be tender in the incision site.  You can move on to more solid foods as you heal and have less discomfort.  Make sure your food isn’t too hot, cold, spicy, or crunchy as these might increase your discomfort or delay healing time.
4. NO forceful spitting, NO sucking through a straw or smoking for several days.
5. Begin the Peridex rinse the day AFTER surgery.  Use it once in the morning and once at night.  Make sure to have nothing to eat or drink for 30 minutes after the Peridex.  Peridex can cause staining on your teeth.  It is not permanent and can be cleaned by your regular dentist.  Also begin brushing and salt water rinsing ( 1 tsp salt with an 8 oz. glass of warm water) the day AFTER surgery.   You can use the salt water rinses in between the Peridex rinse 3-4 times a day, after you eat and before you go to bed at night for the next several weeks, or until the surgical area has healed completely.
6. Ice the area for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 72 hours to reduce the chance of swelling.   Also take prescribed medicine as directed.
7. Control of discomfort: Take prescribed pain medication as directed. An excellent aid in the relief of discomfort i using over the counter Ibuprofen/Motrin as well. Take as directed on the bottle. NOTE: Ibuprofen/Motrin can be used as long as there is no contraindication such as allergy or you have been instructed by your physician to avoid the use of NSAIDS.
8. You have dissolvable sutures and they may take 3-4 weeks to dissolve, give or take some time.  Try not to pick or prod at them as you might irritate the surgical site.
9. Some bruising might occur, but don’t be alarmed.   This is a normal part of surgery and the healing process.
10. Do not forcefully blow your nose for at least two weeks, even though your sinus may feel stuffy  or there may be some nasal drainage.
11. Try not to sneeze; it will cause undesired sinus pressure.  If you must sneeze, keep your mouth open. Take an oral decongestant like Benadryl and also Afrin nasal spray no more than 3 times a day & for no more than 3 days. Remember slight bleeding from the nose is not uncommon for several days after surgery.
12. If you wear an appliance (denture, flipper, or partial) make sure the appliance is not tight and/or putting pressure on the surgical area. If you find that there is tightness and/or pressure, discontinue wearing the appliance and please contact the office.
13. 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.