Worried about Wisdom Tooth Surgery

So I'm having all four of my wisdom teeth out tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, two weeks before I move to the UK, and I'm more than a little nervous.  They need to come out badly, and I figured it was best to do it while I was still in the States rather than deal with the NHS, but I felt much better about it when it was just "in theory!"   I've never had surgery before and am a little weirded out about being "put under" through IV sedation- not true general anesthetic, but I'll still be asleep so it's pretty much the same for me.  And then there's afterwards- I've been warned that my face will probably swell up for a week or so, and have been prescribed heavy-duty painkillers (Vicodin) in advance (leading me to wonder just how bad the pain is going to be!)  And then my mind keeps going over the "surgery risks" that I had to acknowledge were a possibility when I signed the consent forms- nerve damage, sinus problems, possible death?!

Yeah, I'm a wee bit scared    I know people have this surgery all the time and come out just fine- anyone have any stories to help the anxiety lessen a bit?

When the oral surgeon told me I needed all 4 of my impacted wisdom teeth to come out when I was 19, I looked at him point blank and said, "No way!"  When he explained that the impacted teeth would begin to grow into my molars causing them to rot and then eventually I'd need 8 teeth pulled, I consented.  I was scared too, as it was my first surgery.  I came out of anesthesia with the shakes and it felt horrible.  My father took me home and tried to get me into the guest room bed (so I wouldn't have to walk upstairs) and I balled my eyes out because I just wanted my own bed.  He wouldn't consent    I spent 3 solid days on the pain meds and my cheeks looked like a chipmonk.  The pills were amazing!!!  They really numbed everything and it was like floating for days.  I cried again when I wanted solid food, but couldn't eat anything other then jello cubes    On the fourth day I had to go register at the new college I was going to and I still have the ID card...I looked horribly bloated 

I tell you all this not to scare you, but to let you know that your feelings are normal and you too will get through it!!!  Good luck, you'll be fine.  Just remember the good pills you'll have to ease you through it all! 

I had 3 taken out a couple of years ago in London and was recommended by a friend to take Arnica pills before (a herbal remedy to prevent/reduce bruising- try Whole Foods or similar place to get them in the US) - I had virtually no pain or swelling - I was back at work the next day.  I also had a great dentist, who was very careful.

If you have time, go and get some Arnica - it can't do any harm!

I had three out in London a few years back, under a local.  I was terrified, but apart from drooling a bit while the anasthetic wore off, it was a totally painless experience (oh, the injection was a bit sore though).

I recommend Jack and Coke through a straw afterwards!  Much fun!

Good luck!

Vicky

I had mine removed a few years ago and I had never had any sort of surgery either and was really freaked out. They gave me a pill to take the night before to help me sleep and another to take in the morning before I came in because I was so scared.

I didn't have much swelling at all. I couldn't handle the vicoden though (tried one and got really sick) so I was just taking ibuprofen and the pain wasn't too bad.

They should give you a sheet of information about what to expect after the surgery and things not to do (like spitting) but they gave this to me AFTER the surgery when I was completely out of it. So, I spent the entire first day spitting and ended up with dry-socket. I've heard other people complain about getting the information afterwards too and not being coherent enough to read it. So, see if you can request that information before the surgery, or look it up online (I'm sure it's all out there).

Don't worry! It's really not that bad!

I had mine out two at a time because I didn't want to be put under... laughing gas was lovely... except I could hear the doctor chat about the new sports car he bought! Next time I reminded him I could hear him so if he could chat about what he was doing as part of the surgery.

Anyways both were just fine, my brother picked me up and we went to the mall. I was so out of it and had bloody gauze and drool but I guess I wasn't that offensive looking.

It takes awhile to heal obviously but you start to eat normal foods again and start to pick food out of the new gaps.

Best wishes to you! You are right, people do it all of the time and it turns out okay.

oh and if the pain relievers don't work feel free to ask for something else. I did and like among the stars said I ended up with a basic pain reliever instead of hard drugs because it wasn't THAT painful just uncomfortable.

Just wanted to say good luck Andrea and it will be all over before you know it. I refuse to be put under during dental surgery and I have had a lot and never had any problems and in the end we all always say "that wasnt as bad as I thought it would be!"
Try not to worry too much!
Ricki

I'm in the same boat but I've yet to take that step to get them out. They took photos of them last time I was there and told me they were growing in crooked. They give me pain every couple of weeks...unbearable. What's weird is I love going to the dentist to get work done but I've never had a tooth removed (now I have to have 4 done) so I'm a bit terrified.

Let me know how it goes. My friend went to mexico to get hers done and came back with half her face bruised and swollen. It freaked me out but everyone at my work told me that normally that doesn't happen.

Good luck!

I had four impacted wisdom teeth removed under sedation many years ago. I know its scary going into it but you will be fine! Look at it this way, better to do it in familiar territory then when you get over here (the unknown as it will be new to you).

Remember the anticipation is always worse than the reality.

Side note - I had major cosmetic surgery (elective) a few years after that and was wired shut for six weeks....the impacted wisdom tooth extraction was a piece of cake!

Best wishes!!

Thanks for the stories and reassurance, guys   I'm still nervous, but reading this thread really helped with some of the anxiety.  I just ate my last solid-food meal for the week and am nil by mouth starting at midnight tonight.  The surgery's at 9:30am so I should be home by noon...I'll be sure to post an update on how it all went when I get a chance (assuming I'm not too loopy from the Vicodin, that is!)

Arnica! It's great stuff!

Best of luck. You will do just fine. I am a complete pain wussy and had all 4 (impacted) out about 12 years ago under general. It was not as bad as I expected, and Vicodin IS wonderful. 

Thanks for the stories and reassurance, guys   I'm still nervous, but reading this thread really helped with some of the anxiety.  I just ate my last solid-food meal for the week and am nil by mouth starting at midnight tonight.  The surgery's at 9:30am so I should be home by noon...I'll be sure to post an update on how it all went when I get a chance (assuming I'm not too loopy from the Vicodin, that is!)

AHhh goodluck! I really should schedual mine...*cries*. I'd want atleast 3-4 days off after lmfao and maybe the day before to mentally prepare myself haha  doubt they'd give it to me.

Hope everything went well!  I have to say, I had 4 wisdom teeth out about 5 years ago under local anaesthetic (a few injections and some nitrous).  The surgery itself went fine, even remember laughing during it

That's when the trouble started.   

Not to scare you, but whatever you do, take every care as to NOT GET DRY SOCKETS.  (google it for info)  That means, take extra care as to not dislodge the blood clots that form in your mouth where your teeth were.  No straws, no smoking (if you do), go easy on the alcohol (apparantly this can dry out the clot and cause it to fall out).  Don't brush your back teeth too vigorously (I think they say just do a salt water rinse 24 hours after the extractions)

I did not know any of this, and I developed dry sockets in 3 of my 4 extraction sites.  I thought the key was to 'keep it clean' and I think I overdid the gargling and the brushing of my teeth.  3 days after surgery I developed a head pain like I cannot imagine, no pain medication would work (this is including Vicodin).  I went to the emergency room just to have a long lasting novocaine injection, so that I could sleep.  I was in such pain I was delusional, my mom drove an hour up to Minneapolis to be with me because I was saying I wanted to die.  I was crying non stop.  She thought I was really going to hurt myself.

I went into the aftercare clinic and they filled my dry sockets with wraps dipped in clove oil, and things started to get better.  But literally for 3 days I was in a constant pain that encased my whole head, and went down my arms.  It was the most horrible thing I have ever gone through in my life.  That's why I'm telling you, so you are extra careful with the extraction sites!!!!

I have complications (resulting from the surgery) to this date, and am seeing a specialist in September (not all of the tooth was removed in my lower left jaw, and some sort of cyst has formed   )   Everytime I hear someone is having this surgery I wince!  Wishing you a painless/speedy recovery! 

Just wanted to say hope you made it home and are ok Andrea.

Andrea -
Hope everything went okay! 

Definitely DO NOT drink from straws!!  It will be a challenge today since your face will be numb, but get lots of rest.  I was only on the pain killers for the first day and then I took regular over the counter. 

You'll be fine!