SINUS LIFT

BLEEDING

Bleeding varies with this procedure but should never be heavy or prolonged. You may leave our office with gauze in your mouth.  Keep light pressure on it for 20-30 minutes. You will be given additional gauze, that can be changed every 30 minutes until bleeding stops (several hours post-op). It is common to have a slight amount of bleeding from the nose.  This may continue for several days.

EXERCISE CARE

DO NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE!   Avoid any pressure build up in your nose or sinuses for at least 2 weeks. Cough or sneeze with your mouth open. Any congestion you have can be managed with over-the-counter medications. Do not disturb the surgical area by probing with objects, your fingers, or your tongue.  Sutures will be removed at the 2-week post-operative appointment.   AVOID SMOKING for at least 48 hours, preferably one week, as it is very detrimental to healing.  Symptoms of an infection are increased swelling, fever, chills, and/or drainage from the surgical site 5-7 days after surgery.  Call our office if these occur.

ORAL HYGIENE

Avoid rinsing your mouth today. Tomorrow, begin using a gently warm water rinse, 4 or 5 times a day, particularly after meals.  Continue this for the next 2 weeks.  Avoid using mouthwash or peroxide rinses until the sites have healed. Do not brush or floss near the surgical area for the first 24 hours.

SWELLING AND BRuisING

It is normal to develop swelling and bruising over the surgical site, by your cheek, and under your eye.  This swelling generally will peak over 2-3 days and then resolve over the next 7-10 days. To minimize any swelling that may occur, apply an ice pack to the area 20 minutes on/ 20 minutes off for the first 3 days.  Head elevation is also helpful to minimize and reduce swelling. After day 3, a heat pack may help reduce the bruising.

DIET

You will be most comfortable with soft foods today. Avoid hard crunchy foods (nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, chips, etc.) and chewing directly over the surgical site for two weeks. After two weeks, as you feel comfortable, you may progress to your normal diet.

PAIN MEDICATION

Begin taking prescription pain medication or Extra Strength Tylenol directly after the surgery and continue as needed for pain.  Alternate your pain medication with an anti-inflammatory (Advil, Motrin, or Ibuprofen) every three hours. Continue the anti-inflammatory for the first week after surgery.  (Example:  Pain medication at 12:00 & 6:00; anti-inflammatory at 3:00 & 9:00).  Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach or with alcohol.

BLEEDING

Bleeding varies with this procedure but should never be heavy or prolonged. You may leave our office with gauze in your mouth.  Keep light pressure on it for 20-30 minutes. You will be given additional gauze, that can be changed every 30 minutes until bleeding stops (several hours post-op). It is common to have a slight amount of bleeding from the nose.  This may continue for several days.

EXERCISE CARE

DO NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE!   Avoid any pressure build up in your nose or sinuses for at least 2 weeks. Cough or sneeze with your mouth open. Any congestion you have can be managed with over-the-counter medications. Do not disturb the surgical area by probing with objects, your fingers, or your tongue.  Sutures will be removed at the 2-week post-operative appointment.   AVOID SMOKING for at least 48 hours, preferably one week, as it is very detrimental to healing.  Symptoms of an infection are increased swelling, fever, chills, and/or drainage from the surgical site 5-7 days after surgery.  Call our office if these occur.

ORAL HYGIENE

Avoid rinsing your mouth today. Tomorrow, begin using a gently warm water rinse, 4 or 5 times a day, particularly after meals.  Continue this for the next 2 weeks.  Avoid using mouthwash or peroxide rinses until the sites have healed. Do not brush or floss near the surgical area for the first 24 hours.

SWELLING AND BRuisING

It is normal to develop swelling and bruising over the surgical site, by your cheek, and under your eye.  This swelling generally will peak over 2-3 days and then resolve over the next 7-10 days. To minimize any swelling that may occur, apply an ice pack to the area 20 minutes on/ 20 minutes off for the first 3 days.  Head elevation is also helpful to minimize and reduce swelling. After day 3, a heat pack may help reduce the bruising.

DIET

You will be most comfortable with soft foods today. Avoid hard crunchy foods (nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, chips, etc.) and chewing directly over the surgical site for two weeks. After two weeks, as you feel comfortable, you may progress to your normal diet.

ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATION

It is important to finish all the antibiotic medication as prescribed.

Our goal is to make your recovery as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have any questions about your progress please call (719) 473-2650.