This past week, I had the pleasure of getting my wisdom teeth extracted (this sentence is satire, the rest is actual advice I promise). And let me tell you, I was TERRIFIED. Mostly of going under anesthesia, which spoiler alert, is the easiest part. I am sure you have seen many tips and tricks, but I wanted to give you advice based on my very recent firsthand experience.

First, I promise you that going under will be okay. It is a little nerve-wracking thinking about the fact that you’re going under and I was sobbing when the nurse took me back, but they are so nice and they know exactly what they are doing. Plus, she reassured me by reminding me that they do this all day, every day. She let me change the music (I chose worship) and offered me a heated blanket. Then, and this part is probably the worst part of the actual surgery, they have to hook you up to an IV. If you have donated blood before, this needle is significantly smaller, making it less of a poke. After that, I do not remember much. I met the surgeon and he asked me what I wanted to do when I grow up. I remember seeing him put the medicine in the tube and then I was gone. The next thing I knew I was awake in the recovery room in a comfortable hospital-style bed.

I think that I have a high metabolism when it comes to processing IV medicine, similar to my mom because I remember mostly everything I did after waking up. I was mostly frustrated that the gauze prohibited my speaking ability and that I could not tell my mom how it went.

The days after were filled with lots of relaxation and plenty of frustration. One, I am unable to swallow pills, which proved to be a difficult thing during my recovery. However, if you are on top of the medication, and eat before taking it, recovery is pretty simple. During the day, I alternated between Tylenol and Ibuprofen, which is what they instructed us to take. Then at night, I would take the stronger medication alongside some anti-nausea medication (which was just in case of sickness; however, I never experienced any.) Two, I was limited in my food choices. I rotated between ice cream, pudding, applesauce, yogurt, smoothies, potatoes, popsicles and noodles. And I got sick of them real quick.

In preparation for the surgery, I would recommend a few things. Eat all of your favorite super crunchy, super chewy best meals beforehand. I chose bagel boy, slims and chips with guacamole. This helps you not miss them as much. There is also a myth about pineapple juice helping the swelling not be as severe. I drank so much and I still swelled, so you are likely going to swell no matter what. The only other big concern is dry socket, which occurs when the blood becomes unclotted. This happens when you drink with a straw or eat harder foods too soon, so don’t do that.
All in all, recovery is not very painful. Instead, it is mostly uncomfortable which is hard to describe. It does not feel like how my mouth should feel, which is weird. I’ve also had brief moments of pain which just feel like someone is poking hard on my jaw.

In conclusion, there are 5 tips for you to review:
1. Stay on top of your medicine
2. Follow the instructions given to you
3. Don’t worry too much about going under (I know this is not very comforting but it’s true)
4. Drink lots of water
5. Get lots of rest