Wisdom teeth removal... a few questions.

[shellebelle]

I had mine out when I was 13 and it was a breeze for me.

I was knocked out completely and I think the worst part is when you're waking up. You really can't go back to sleep but you're so tired you just want to doze off. Also, the recovery area where I was was fairly noisy. Also, at least for me, the anesthesia makes you COLD!!! I always end up with piles and piles of blankets on me and I'm still shivering. The IV also hurts. Ask if you can have some local where they plan to put the IV in. Believe me, it makes a huge difference.

After getting my teeth out I slept for a few hours at home. My face was all swollen and my jaw couldn't open very far. I spent the rest of the day with frozen peas on my face, that helped. I was eating apple sauce that night and was working on fishsticks the next day. I'd stick to smoother foods just because it seems easier to keep things clean in there. And because your mouth is swollen you might have a tendency to drool. Just keep a towel handy and on your pillow and you'll be okay.

It was a bit fustrating because I couldn't talk for a day, and eating is difficult. I lost 10 pounds.

I had Tylenol with Codeine, and it worked well. Knocked me out, but it worked.

I had dissolveable sutures. At my one week check they were poking me, but I didn't want to have the oral surgeron take them out because he said it might hurt.

I was out of school when I had it done, but I've known people who've gone back to school the next day. It all depends on how well you're feeling.

Good luck! Oral surgeries are not always fun, but enjoy being able to take a break for a day or two.

Michelle

[brightstar]

I had mine removed (top and bottom) when I was 17. My wisdom teeth hadn't actually started coming through yet, so the dr. had to cut open the gums and use a little saw to cut out the teeth. I was awake during the procedure but they had me on nitrous (laughing gas) so it wasn't so bad. I was really swollen that day but it wasnt' too bad the following day (it was during the summer but if it was during school, I would have been able to go). The pain was tolerable but Advil took care of it.

Overall, really not too bad!

[Greenoctopus18]

I think my main problem is I can't tolerate pain at all. I would rather put up with a mild toothache for a long time than have this operation done. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/redface.gif

Another thing I worry about is the feeling of being put to sleep. Is it frightening? Did you worry that you were not going to wake up?

I can remember having the IV thing put in once before for something else. It sure hurts...and then it fell out and leaked so had to be pushed back in. I didn't know it would be involved with this. I will remember to ask for the local ...

Yuck. Do they use a saw? Only one of mine is about 1/3 through!
I guess I will be sleeping.

What if I am asleep but still able to feel the pain?

I am worrying too much.
Thanks again for sharing. It does help.

Also, did anybody have visible bruising on their face for a while? Someone told me this can happen.

[shellebelle]

During your surgery you'll be completely knocked out so you will feel no pain at all (this is the whole point of anesthesia).

I've had four surgeries and never worried about not waking up. Anetheseologists are trained in recussitation and monitor you very closely so the moment you start having a problem they're on top of it.

Anyway, being knocked out is a very weird feeling, but not scary. What they'll do is put the IV in, then they'll send some anesthesia through it. You'll feel normal until the drugs hit your brain and whoa...that's a weird feeling. All of a sudden you feel a little dizzy and the room kind of swims. At this point you're about to go out so they hook up the oxygen mask and tell you to take deep breaths. You won't remember falling asleep at all, it's just like the scene changes in a movie. One moment you're about to pass out, then all of a sudden you're in recovery. It's weird. I think they wake you up before taking you off to recovery. I remember with my three oral surgeries being wheeled out of the OR, but with my last surgery (knee surgery) I only remember being rolled into my little station in recovery. They'll put gauze in your mouth so that'll be in there when you wake up.

Some people have brusing on their face. I didn't. If you're good about icing it you should be okay. They make new ice sheets now that are great for faces because they're thin, light, and don't leak. I had those for my knee and they were wonderful.

If they don't give you local there's ways to handle it. In my experience, a nurse is always holding your hand when the needle goes is. You can focus on that, or find something in the room to really concentrate on. With my first surgery there was an electical cord like a phone cord coming from the ceiling that hooked up to the doc's headset. I still remember counting the five loops in it over and over while the needle went in. But get local if you can.

[LaraJean]

It wont be bad at all. I promise you!