Pre-operative Instructions

Helpful Information Prior to Surgery

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 Chesapeake Location Phone Number (757) 412-0235 during regular business hours.

• EATING
• PRESCRIPTIONS
• MEDICAL CLEARANCE
• PRE-MEDICATION
• POST-OP VISITS

EATING

We recommend that patients DO eat prior to their surgery appointment*. You will be numb for quite some time after leaving the office, therefore we strongly recommend that you do not chew anything until after the numbness has worn off.

*(The only exception to this is if you are a General Anesthesia patient. In that case, there is no eating or drinking after midnight the day before surgery. Please reference your Anesthesia Pre-Op pamphlet for more information.)

PRESCRIPTIONS

If Dr. Cavallari has prescribed medications to you, they will be sent electronically to the Pharmacy of your choice.

**The prescriptions will be sent the week before your scheduled procedure and the Pharmacy should contact you once they are ready for pick up**- Please be sure to obtain them at least 2 days before the procedure, as some medications need to be started prior to the appointment date.

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

If you are a patient taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner), have recently had serious surgery, or are under the care of other medical specialists on a regular basis, we will need your consent to communicate with those doctors in order to properly and safely oversee your care.

Please make sure to provide our office with this information at your initial evaluation with Dr. Cavallari.

PRE-MEDICATION

If you are required by a Physician to pre-medicate prior to dental treatment, it is important that you take that medication as directed by your doctor.

POST-OP VISITS

In order to evaluate healing, we will see you for frequent post-operative checks during the first 1-8 weeks following surgery. Given that every patient heals differently, we will advise you on any additional recommended appointments.

Those will be discussed with you and scheduled prior to you leaving the office each time.

Sedation Options:

Oral Conscious Sedation

Please reference the RX bottle for instructions on when to take the medication. Once the medication begins working, you will be awake and alert but feeling VERY relaxed! Because of this, you must have a driver bring you to and from the office – and you will not be able to operate a motor vehicle for 24 hours.

Your driver is required to stay on-site while you are under our care. With your consent, we will notify them once the procedure is completed and post-operative instructions will be reviewed prior to your departure from the office. (Please reference the oral-conscious consent form signed at your evaluation appointment and always feel free to call us with any questions)

General Anesthesia

**NO EATING OR DRINKING AFTER 12AM THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY** You must have a driver bring you to and from the office. They are required to stay on-site while you are under our care. IV medication will be administered by a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist.

During the procedure, the anesthesiologist will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and other vital signs to make sure they are normal and steady while you remain unconscious and free of discomfort.

The Anesthesiologist, Dr. Cavallari, and our surgical team are in the room with you during the entire procedure. (Please reference your Anesthesia Pre-Op Pamphlet for further information.)

Food Suggestion

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