At Clackamas Implant & Oral Surgery Center, your safety and comfort are always our top priorities. Before any surgical procedure, you’ll meet with Dr. Sullivan for a pre-operative consultation. During this visit, we’ll walk you through what to expect, answer your questions, and provide detailed instructions to help you prepare.
Here are some pre-surgical guidelines if you are having surgery under local anesthesia only.
Pre-Surgical Instructions & Patient Information
At Clackamas Implant & Oral Surgery Center, your safety and comfort are our top priorities. Please carefully review the following guidelines to ensure you’re fully prepared for your procedure.
ANESTHESIA COMPLICATIONS: Alcohol, certain medications, and street drugs can cause a variety of problems with your anesthesia and should not be taken/used/consumed prior to surgery unless approved by Dr. Sullivan in advance. Examples include marijuana in any form, alcohol of any kind, Stimulants (Amphetamine/Methamphetamines/Cocaine/etc.), anti-anxiety medication, sleep aids, sedatives, or narcotics.
Three Days Before Surgery
- Medications: Make sure you have ibuprofen and acetaminophen on hand. These will not be prescribed at your surgical appointment.
- Supplies: We will provide sterile gauze. You may want to purchase additional gauze, Q-tips, and table salt.
- Substance Use: Refrain from marijuana (edibles, smoking, vaping), alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs for at least 72 hours prior to surgery.
The Evening Before Surgery
- Eat a light dinner.
- Get a full night of restful sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
For IV/General Sedation cases consume NO LIQUIDS OR FOOD AFTER MIDNIGHT. This includes: water, coffee, mints, gum, etc.
Day of Surgery
Medications
- Take your regular prescription medications unless instructed otherwise.
- Inform Dr. Sullivan of all medications you are currently or have recently taken.
Transportation
- Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (18+).
- If you are taking narcotic pain medication, do not drive or operate heavy machinery.
For Sedation Cases
- A guardian or responsible adult, 18 years or older, MUST drive you to and from your appointment. We are unable to begin your surgery until this designated driver is present in our office. The driver must remain in the office for the duration of your surgery.
- Public transportation such as: Uber, Lyft, Trimet, etc. is NOT an option.
- You should refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery for 24-48 hours after surgery.
- It is recommended that you have responsible help with childcare for at least 24-48 hours after surgery.
What to Wear
- Wear a short-sleeved shirt.
- Do not wear: flip-flops, slides, slippers, or heels.
After Surgery
Diet
- Start with soft foods such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, pasta, applesauce, Jell-O, etc.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, or seedy foods like pretzels, peanuts, and seeds.
- After 7–10 days, you may gradually return to a normal diet.
Other Dental Procedures
- Avoid any dental procedures involving the surgical site(s) for 3–6 months post-surgery.
Important: Your surgery will be canceled if we are unable to verbally confirm your appointment at least one day prior.
Surgical Risk Information
Transparency is key to informed consent. Please review the following risks associated with your procedure and materials we may use.
Bone Grafting Risks
Grafting may be necessary and includes risks such as:
- Nerve injury causing numbness, tingling, or pain in lips, chin, tongue, or teeth (may be temporary or permanent).
- Graft failure, infection, or rejection.
- Sinus or nasal cavity exposure.
- For banked bone or substitute grafts: rare risk of disease transmission.
Anesthesia Risks
- Allergic reactions or sensitivity to medications.
- Pain, numbness, bruising, or swelling at IV site.
- Nausea, vomiting, disorientation, or prolonged drowsiness.
- Rare but serious complications such as heart or breathing issues, stroke, or death.
- Possible sore throat or hoarseness if a breathing tube is used.
ANESTHESIA COMPLICATIONS: Alcohol, certain medications, and street drugs can cause a variety of problems with your anesthesia and should not be taken/used/consumed prior to surgery unless approved by Dr. Sullivan in advance. Examples include marijuana in any form, alcohol of any kind, Stimulants (Amphetamine/Methamphetamines/Cocaine/etc.), anti-anxiety medication, sleep aids, sedatives, or narcotics.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)
Dr. Sullivan recommends PRF to enhance post-operative healing and reduce inflammation. PRF is made from your own blood and poses minimal risk, but:
- There is a slight risk of infection or hematoma at the blood draw site.
- Allergic reactions to local anesthetics or medications are rare but possible—inform us of any allergies in advance.
Opioid Use & Safety
While opioids may be prescribed when needed:
- Only take as directed and with food to reduce nausea.
- Common side effects: nausea, vomiting, constipation, itching, dry mouth, drowsiness.
- Misuse can lead to addiction, overdose, or death.
- Combining opioids with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives greatly increases risk.
If you or a family member has a history of addiction, please share this confidentially with our team.
Non-Opioid Option: Exparel
To minimize opioid use, we offer Exparel®, a long-lasting local anesthetic used during surgery.
Possible side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation (most common)
- Elevated temperature, low blood pressure, blurred vision, muscle twitching (less common)
Important Notes:
- Not recommended during pregnancy
- Use cautiously if you have liver disease
Questions? Let’s Talk.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about your surgery, medications, or the materials we use. We’re here to make sure you feel informed, safe, and confident every step of the way.
For any questions about preparing for or recovering from surgery, don’t hesitate to call us at (503) 652-8080. We’re here to help every step of the way.
