1. When the anesthesia wears out you may have some discomfort from the operation that was just performed. Your surgeon has recommended or prescribed medication for you, if necessary.
2. In most cases a gauze has been put on the surgical wound, for you to bite on. After 30-60 minutes you can carefully remove the gauze and take your first painkiller and, if necessary, other prescribed medication. Please do not rinse your mouth the first 24 hours in order to keep the blood cloth, covering the wound, intact.
   
   In some special medical conditions with a risk of bleeding, a special mouth rinse has been prescribed to keep the blood cloth as is. The use of this will be explained on the medication itself.
3. Please limit yourself to a semi-solid diet and avoid excessively hot food for the first day. After this you may return to your regular diet.
4. Rinsing is not an important part of the treatment. The only real purpose it serves is to give you sense of better oral hygiene. Do not rinse for the following 24 hours after your surgery. After that period you may rinse two till three  times daily with a mouthwash that has been prescribed (chlorohexidine 0.12% for 5-7 days) or saline.
5. You may use your toothbrush as you usually do. Avoid vigorous brushing in parts of the mouth which have previously been operated upon. Try to keep food from accumulating in these areas with gentle use of a toothbrush.
6. You may follow your regular daily activities. Avoid excessive exertion of any type. In some cases (e.g. after meticulous closure of a communication to the sinus or nose) you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind instrument, as well as flying an airplane or diving activities for 3 weeks. Athletics and long exposure to the sun should be avoided for the first three days after the operation. These restrictions include swimming.
7. You may experience a slight feeling of weakness, chills or fever during the first 24 hours. This should not be cause for alarm. If you have a fever exceeding 39 degrees Celsius, please contact the hospital (numbers below).
8. Swelling after surgery is normal and will be at its maximum on the third day. It will reduce, gradually, from then on. If the swelling is increasing or re-occurring after this period please contact the hospital (numbers below).
9. Some blood may be found in the saliva for the first eight hours after the operation. This is not unusual and will correct itself. In case of profound bleeding: take a piece of sterile gauze, form it into the shape of a “U”, apply it on the wound, and bite hard on it or hold it at its place for 30 minutes. Do not remove it during this period to examine it. If the bleeding thus not stop at the end of this time, please contact the hospital (numbers below).
10. If the next day after treatment the numb feeling of your lower lip or chin or tongue persists, please contact the hospital (numbers below).

Important telephone numbers:

Outpatient clinic Maxillofacial surgery (8.00-16.30h Monday-Friday): 088- 7557163

Emergency unit (16.30h-8.00h and Weekends): 088-7566666

De polikliniek is op werkdagen bereikbaar van 08.15 - 11.30 uur en van 12.15 - 16.30 uur