The decision had been made that I would have my remaining teeth pulled and the same day, receive a set of dentures. The day for surgery had come. Not exactly something you look forward to, but a necessary part of the process. My daughter played a key role in helping me get through this day and the days that followed.
The day of the surgery was upon me. I had to take ten milligrams of diazepam one hour before my appointment time. This is a regimen that I usually follow before any dental procedure. It greatly reduces any anxiety that I might be experiencing, which in the past has caused problems. My daughter picked me up at my house and off we went.
I waited only a short while in the oral surgeon’s waiting area. My daughter was given instructions on how to help me with the post-surgery recovery. I was called back to the operating room and immediately noticed how cool it was. I’m told this helps with making sure the area remains sterile. Once I laid back in the chair, they pulled up an intimidating set of surgical tools. I’m glad I didn’t have much of a chance to have those staring me in the face.
The doctor came in and started the IV that would deliver the medication needed to put me to sleep. The nurse had already hooked up the EKG machine and blood pressure monitor. I remember feeling a slight prick and then the surgeon pushing the meds into the line with a hypodermic. I remember him saying, “Breathe,” and then, “Breathe deeper.” The only thing I remember immediately following that was telling him “I thought I was supposed to be asleep during this procedure.” Of course, I was asleep for the entirety of that, and I am grateful for that.
I had ten teeth that were extracted during the process, and dentures that had been crafted for me were placed in my mouth. They said that immediate placement of the dentures would aid in controlling the bleeding that would naturally occur. Stitches were also placed where the teeth were extracted. Gauze would also be used to help control the bleeding and that’s one of the main tasks my daughter attended to once the surgery was over.
Part Three: The Recovery Period Begins…
David Lee 