If you’ve scheduled oral surgery for mouth cancer, you’ll need to prepare for the surgery to ensure it goes smoothly. Use this guide to streamline the preparation process.

How to Prepare for Mouth Cancer-Related Oral Surgery

1. Schedule the Pre-Assessment

Request a pre-assessment with the oral surgeon at least two weeks before the surgery. You’ll take tests to ensure you’re healthy enough for oral surgery, such as those for your blood, heart, and lungs. You’ll also receive preoperative literature and answers to common questions, such as the success rate and the chance of the disease coming back.

2. Review All Pre-Op Materials

Go over the pre-op materials in detail and follow the instructions exactly. Most surgeries require limiting food intake before the procedure to avoid complications when patients are under anesthesia, such as aspiration or vomiting. Depending on the type of surgery you’re having, you might be allowed to drink a carbohydrate-heavy beverage the night before or morning of to provide energy.

3. Boost Your Immune System

Consume recommended whole foods that boost immunity, such as citrus fruits and garlic. Get plenty of sleep in the weeks prior, and do other immunity-boosting activities, such as drinking more water and taking suggested supplements. The more powerful your immune system is before oral surgery, the easier it will be to recover quickly.

4. Learn What to Do Post-Op

Go over post-operative instructions before the surgery so your loved ones have time to purchase the products you’ll need to recover. Learn what you can and can’t eat and drink, how long you should rest before returning to work, and how to use a feeding or tracheotomy tube. Post-op instructions also include dental care recommendations, such as using a toothpaste that relieves sensitivity. 

If you’re looking for an oral cancer surgery provider, turn to Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska, serving Anchorage and the surrounding communities. Their board-certified oral surgeons specialize in oral pathology, maxillofacial surgery, and anesthesia. Call (907) 561-1430 today to schedule an appointment, or visit the oral surgeons online for more information on their capabilities.