• Rest with head elevated and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day.

• Avoid raising/stretching your lip to look at the area - this can result in tearing of the sutures.

• It is normal for the area to swell and have bruising that can last several days. Apply an ice pack to the outside of the face over the area - alternate 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off for the first 6-8 hours of the first day only.

•  Continued oral bleeding after surgery is uncommon. Occasionally, some blood will mix with saliva.  This is not serious and usually will only occur in the first few hours after surgery.

• It is normal to experience pain following surgery.  Take 2 tablets (total of 650mg) of acetaminophen or 2 tablets (total of 400mg) of ibuprofen before the local anesthesia wears off.  The same dosage every 4-6 hours afterward is usually adequate for any pain you may experience. Of course, this is only if your physician has not restricted you from taking these medications.

• It is normal to experience a loss of appetite following surgery. However, nourishment in the form of soft foods and fluids must be   provided to ensure healing.  For the first 24 hours, avoid foods that are hot or granular (ex. nuts, popcorn, chips).

• Careful tooth brushing will promote healing but the toothbrush bristles should not contact the surgical area.

Please call the office if you have any questions or concerns.