If you are coming from my “gum graft my experience blog” hello again! If you haven’t read that blog post and you’re just stumbling upon this, I highly encourage you go over and check that post out.
The internet doesn’t have that much information about gum graft surgeries, at least not from real people. So, here’s a few things I wish I would have known before my surgery and a few tips to help you get through recovery.
Tip #1
Ask good questions. Sometimes the consultations are overwhelming. Your doctor is in a rush, you are nervous, and everything feels like it’s happening too fast. Take a notebook with you and make notes of what they are saying. Remember consultations are not free, you pay to be there. So, slow down and go ahead a predetermine the questions you need to ask. Here are a few examples that would be super beneficial to you.
-What are the benefits and disadvantages of using my own tissue as opposed to using a cadaver?
– What do you feel is the root cause for the recession and how can I prevent this in the future.
– What kind of sedation will you be using? Will I have any medications prescribed to me before surgery?
-If using your own tissue as a donor… Will there be a protective barrier between the donor site and the rest of my mouth? What does that entail?
Tip #2
Prepare for the worst. Gum graft surgery is intense. Pain levels and recovery time vary for different people. So, prepare for the worst and if it’s not then even better, but you have a plan ready for the toughest of situations.
Gum graft surgery is physically grueling, but what a lot of people don’t expect is how tough it is mentally to overcome. You can’t eat, you can’t talk, you can’t smile, you can’t laugh, you can’t do anything physically that might elevate your heart rate. It wears on you the pain, the hunger, the frustration of not being able to communicate.
To help alleviate added stress I made my meal plans before my surgery. I had baby food and protein shakes mainly. I prepared all my clothes for 9 days post-surgery. I separated each outfit into bags, and each bag was complete with everything I might need down to underwear, socks, sweatshirt, you name it. This was super helpful after surgery not to have to figure out what I would be wearing.
I planned extensively before my surgery so that during recovery all I had to focus on was getting better.
Tip #3
Ask those around you for help. I gathered all my troops. My husband, my parents, and even my grandfather came to sit with me during my recovery. They all chipped in to make sure I had help in the first week of recovery, especially in the first 48 hours (about 2 days) when I was at my highest risk of hemorrhaging.
Do not be afraid to ask for help, you are going to need it. Gum graft surgery like I said before is intense. So, lean on your loved ones during your recovery period.
Tip #4
Expect the unexpected. Things are going to come up that you can’t plan. One thing I was not prepared for was how difficult it was to swallow a pill. It hurt and was so uncomfortable trying to swallow anything.
I was also not expecting how difficult it was to eat. You use your tongue and the roof of your mouth a lot more than you realize, and if you’ve used your own tissue as a donor site it is going to be difficult. Even trying to swallow water will be uncomfortable.
Recovery can really take it out of you. If you’re lying around for 2 weeks you’re going to lose a lot of muscle. I was shocked at how difficult it was for me to do normal everyday tasks once I was able to again.
Not being able to talk is one of the most frustrating things during recovery. Luckily my husband had the idea of getting a “MangnaDoodle” and it was so convenient to use to communicate. Texting or using a dry erase board would also work.
Tip #5
Do whatever is necessary to keep your mental health in a good place. I kept a very detailed journal of every day of recovery. It helped me get through the days and see my progress of healing.
I cannot stress to you enough how tough this surgery and recovery can be on your mental health. So watch your favorite shows, your favorite movies, make a YouTube playlist of videos you’ve been wanting to watch. Color in a coloring book, read some books that you’ve been dying to read, anything that keeps your spirits high.
If you are worried about having gum graft surgery I totally understand. I hope this post can help ease your mind and some of your worries. Stay calm, follow the doctor’s orders and use this surgery as an excuse for some rest and relaxation.
If you have any questions about my surgery, feel free to reach out to me via social media or email and I would love to answer any concerns.
