Pre-operative Instructions

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 212.838.0940 during regular business hours.

You should receive your pre/post-operative prescriptions with this instruction sheet. For your convenience, please have them filled prior to your scheduled surgery, unless they have been previously phoned into the pharmacy of your choice. Please bring your filled prescriptions with you to your appointment.

It is not usually necessary to stop taking aspirin and non-steroidals (such as Motrin and Advil) prior to your surgery.  Please discuss this with the doctor beforehand, or call the office for advice.

If you are taking blood thinners (e.g. Coumadin or warfarin, Plavix or clopidogrel, or others) you need to discuss with your doctor the proper procedures before any surgery. In general, it is no longer considered necessary to discontinue these anti-coagulant medications. It is imperative, however, that we be informed that you are taking them as there are certain procedures where we will want you to discontinue the medication before surgery and will need to review this with your treating physician.

If you take antibiotic premedication, please take it as directed before your surgery.

You will feel better if you have eaten prior to, but not immediately before, surgery. We keep the office cool, so dress warmly. You may bring your iPod or MP3 player with you if you like.

In order to evaluate your progress and healing, we will see you for post-operative checks.  Generally this will be after 1-2 weeks, and sometimes a week or so later. In most cases, after surgery we will also look forward to seeing you back for a periodontal maintenance cleaning and an examination of tissue maturation about 10-12 weeks following the surgery.

Antibiotics

Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics (or other medications.) You will be prescribed an antibiotic if the doctor determines it to be necessary. Take as directed until gone. It is advisable not to take these medications on an empty stomach, as nausea may result. For women taking birth control pills, be advised that antibiotics may interfere with their effectiveness.  

If you are taking an antibiotic and develop abdominal pain and/or diarrhea or frequent, loose bowel movements stop taking the antibiotic and call to speak with the doctor.

Sedatives

If you elect to use an oral sedative for a procedure you must have an escort to take you home from the office. If you use nitrous oxide (“laughing gas” or “sweet air”) for a procedure you won’t require an escort, but may need to remain in the office for some time if the effects linger longer than expected. Remember, we encourage you to eat prior to, but not immediately before, your surgery.  

Ativan (Lorazepam), Valium (Diazepam) andTriazolam (Halcion) are commonly used drugs for anxiety.  Please discuss with your doctor whether you would like to use or receive a prescription for a sedative for surgery.  

We also work with a board-certified medical anesthesiologist for those patients who desire a deeper level of sedation and anxiety control for surgery.

Food Suggestions

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