Pre-Operative Instructions
for Local Anesthesia or
Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide
Please discuss with the scheduler on the telephone, if you wish to have same-day consultation and surgery with local anesthesia or with local anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
Please read and follow carefully the instructions below.
If you are having local anesthesia, you may eat before surgery but do not have a large meal immediately before, as you will be lying back in the chair.
If you are having local anesthesia plus nitrous oxide, do not eat or drink for two hours before sugery. Water is permissable.
For local anesthesia alone or for the combination of local and nitrous, it is not necessary to have a driver, as the effects of the gas wear off within three to five minutes after the nasal mask is removed. You however may want someone to drive you, or escort you, to the office.
Do not have aspirin or any drugs containing aspirin, such as Alka Seltzer and Midol, for seven days preceding your surgery, if possible. Try to avoid Motrin, Advil, and ibuprofen for 24 hours prior to surgery, and discontinue vitamin E and any herbs that inhibit clotting seven days prior to your surgical appointment. If you are on aspirin therapy, please discuss that with Dr. Strahs during your consultation.
Please do not wear perfume or scented body lotion.
It is strongly recommended that you go directly home and rest following your oral surgery. We advise you to not return to work on the day of your surgery as you will need to rest and minimize speaking and activities.