After head and neck surgery, you will be brought into the recovery area where hospital staff will closely monitor you as you awaken from anesthesia.
Post-Surgery Expectations
- Pain and discomfort require taking pain medications for up to 2 weeks.
- Mild bloody oozing for the first 1-2 days post-op may present as red/pink-tinged saliva.
- Please gently rinse with ice-cold water and apply pressure with a moist gauze or moist tea bag to the site for about 20-30 minutes, and avoid excessive tongue movements.
- Please contact us if you experience bleeding that you cannot stop with pressure application. If bleeding is severe, pulsatile in nature, and bright red in color, apply pressure and make your way to the nearest Emergency Room as it may need professional medical management.
- Consume a liquid diet (milk shakes, blended soups) for 7-10 days, then advance to a soft diet (mashed potatoes, grits, scrambled eggs).
- Please ensure you stay adequately hydrated as dehydration may result in your re-admission to the hospital.
- Maintain routine oral hygiene and rinse with Peridex (Chlorhexidine) morning and night, and with warm salt water rinses after each meal.
- Maintain a reduced level of activity, but do go on short walks and do routine tasks around the house under the direct supervision of your family member for the first 24-48 hours.
- You may shower.
- No lifting over 10 pounds.
- You will need to take over-the-counter fiber supplements or laxatives to help with constipation if you are taking prescribed opioid pain medication.
- You will be seen in the office for a follow-up within 7 days after surgery to evaluate healing progress.
