Post-Operative Instructions: Bone Grafting

After Your Surgery

Post-Operative Instructions

The following instructions are important following a bone grafting procedure:

General Reminders:

• Be as gentle as possible around the bone grafting area. Try to maintain all graft material at the surgical site.
• Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the area on the day of surgery.

Bleeding:

• A small amount of bleeding is common for the first few days.
• If you experience excessive bleeding, place a gauze pad directly over the surgical sites and hold it in place with firm biting pressure for 30–45 minutes or until the bleeding can be controlled.
• Replace the gauze pads every 30–45 minutes.
• Bleeding may vary from person to person.
• Gauze pads will always appear red. The way to assess bleeding is to directly look at the sites after the gauze pads have been removed.
• If the bleeding does not slow down, please call our office.

Swelling Control:

• Swelling can be normal after surgery.
• Swelling can be reduced by applying an ice pack to the side of your face. Do this for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
• Continue icing the face as much as possible for the first 24–36 hours. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
• Please do not lay flat. Use 1–2 pillows to elevate the head to avoid or minimize swelling.
• These measures may not eliminate swelling, but they will help reduce its severity.

Diet–Day of Procedure:

• Soft liquidy foods are strongly recommended on the day of the procedure. Pudding, JELL-O^®, applesauce, yogurt, ice cream, and smoothies are excellent options for the day of the procedure.
• Always cool down any hot foods or liquids during the first 24 hours following your procedure.

Diet–First Week:

• You should eat only soft foods for the first week, such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, soft fish and steamed vegetables.

Diet–Foods to Avoid:

• Avoid hard, crunchy, or very chewy foods for the first 8 weeks following surgery.

Alcoholic Beverages & Smoking:

• Alcoholic beverages should be avoided for 24 hours before and 5 days after surgery.
• Smoking should be avoided or limited as much as possible.

Pain Control:

• Discomfort can be normal after the procedure.
• Pain medication may be prescribed. It is advised that you take pain medication on the first day.
• If you are not allergic or intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, you may start taking ibuprofen (Advil^® or Motrin^®).
• If the ibuprofen alone doesn’t control your discomfort, take the prescribed narcotic in addition.
• It is recommended that you alternate between the narcotic and ibuprofen. Do not take them at the same time.
• Be certain to take your pain medication with food, as this will help prevent an upset stomach.
• Remember: narcotic pain medication will impair your judgment and reflexes, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery.

Hygiene:

• Begin brushing your teeth on the day of surgery. It is important to brush all of your teeth, even if the teeth and gums are sensitive.
• Avoid the surgical sites on the day of surgery. On the following day, gently brush over the surgical sites with almost no pressure.
• You may remove some stitches; brush around the packing if one has been placed.
• It is important to keep surgical sites really clean to avoid infection or delayed healing.

Physical Activity:

• No strenuous activity for 3–4 days following your surgery.
• Physical activity increases your blood pressure, which will cause an increase in your swelling, pain, and bleeding.
• You may gradually increase your activity after 3–4 days.
• Low impact activities, such as swimming, may be more comfortable at first.
• Avoid bending over, heavy lifting, or straining.

Thank you for reviewing these post-operative instructions and following them carefully.