Post-Operative Instructions: Sinus Lift/Sinus Augmentation with Bone Grafting

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. Be as gentle as you can around the surgical site.

Do not under any circumstances blow your nose or sneeze holding your nose for the next 3 weeks. This may be longer if indicated. You may sniff all you like but no blowing. Anything that causes pressure in your nasal cavity must be avoided.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 1 hour. In general, use as little pressure as is needed. Change the gauze pad every 30 If excessive bleeding continues, please call for further instructions. Remove gauze when it is no longer needed.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag (or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice) on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 48 -72 hours. Swelling generally reaches a peak in 48–72 hours and then subsides over the next 3–5 days. If swelling begins to increase after the third post-operative day, please contact our doctor immediately.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids and foods. Soft foods and liquids should be consumed on the day of surgery. Keep all solid food away from the surgical site.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off. Take the prescribed pain medications as Recommended by your treating doctor. For moderate pain, ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) or Tylenol ( acetaminophen) may be taken.
Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. This may include patients with liver , bleeding disorders , cardiovascular disease or kidney disease.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 3 times a day, especially after meals. If you are given a prescription for Peridex™ Oral Rinse, rinse for 30 seconds and spit twice per day. Do not brush the surgical site for one week after surgery.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are exercising, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Rest as much as possible within the first week of surgery.

Important Reminders

• Do not blow your nose or sneeze holding your nose.
• Sneeze with your mouth open.
• Do not drink with straws and do not spit.
• Scuba diving and flying in pressurized aircraft may also increase sinus pressure and should be avoided.
• Avoid bearing down, such as when lifting heavy objects, blowing up balloons, playing musical instruments that require a blowing action, or any other activity that increases nasal or oral pressure.
• Smoking must be stopped. If necessary, nicotine patches can be prescribed.

For questions or concerns contact our office at The Maryland Oral Surgery Group and Implant Center of Upper Marlboro Phone Number 301-967-0183. If you have urgent/emergent needs after hours or weekends call The Maryland Oral Surgery Group and Implant Center of Upper Marlboro Phone Number 301-967-0183 and press “1” to reach the on call doctor !