How can I make oral surgery into a lovely birthday present?

May 19, 2008 11:29 PM

My friend is getting her molars removed on her birthday - what can we do to make it better?

We'd love to take her to do something fun, but are worried that the pain/pain meds will be too overwhelming. Is there anything that she could enjoy despite having oral surgery, or even enjoy more because of it? What can be we do make both getting her molars out bearable and her birthday awesome?

posted by brittanyq to Human Relations (18 answers total)

Strategic application of vodka.
posted by pompomtom at 11:44 PM on May 19, 2008

I'd actually recommend avoiding alcohol for a while were I her, thus were I her friend I'd avoid taking her out for a night on the town. Her body is going to be battling infection, and you really don't want to get dry socket--that's a whole 'nother level of pain. Additionally, she'll likely be prescribed medication that not only doesn't play well with alcohol, but in most ways is a vastly superior buzz anyway.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:53 PM on May 19, 2008

An ice cream cake would be a good start.
posted by furtive at 12:03 AM on May 20, 2008

Ice cream and movies - and possibly some sort of edible marijuana (don't want to be sucking on the bong after a tooth extraction). Hugs would most likely be in order.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 12:10 AM on May 20, 2008

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed at once - and didn't want to do anything but sleep the rest of the day. Like Civil_Disobedient mentioned, it was a good buzz. I would say to just make her comfortable - maybe take turns hanging out at her place afterwards - just to do simple things like bringing her drinks, something to read, fluffing pillows, etc...

Then, after about a week, take her out for a real birthday celebration!
posted by Liosliath at 1:13 AM on May 20, 2008

Avoid the cold stuff like ice cream. My dental people advise me to focus on my feet when having work done, so maybe a nice foot rub? Quiet, soothing music. You're supposed to rest and avoid partying, so maybe one or two people and a pampering "party" would be in order. Give gift certificates or IOU's for a future night out.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:14 AM on May 20, 2008

Dilaudid
posted by matteo at 3:26 AM on May 20, 2008

I think if someone schedules tooth removal on their birthday (!?!) she's probably not expecting a party. Maybe rent a comedy for later in the day, though she might not be up for even that. Liosliath has the right idea, but I would suggest that only one person take on nursing duties. Then yeah, when she's recovered, go out and have a blast.
posted by Evangeline at 4:37 AM on May 20, 2008

I had my wisdom teeth out about eight years ago, and I was absolutely useless afterwards. I went home and alternated between crying and sleeping. A week later, though, I would have loved a party or a get-together with friends.

I think every extraction is different -- not everyone will feel as awful as I did, post-op. It might be best to play it by ear and let your friend dictate the activity level. I do caution against drinking and/or eating focused activities, though.
posted by kate blank at 5:19 AM on May 20, 2008

Play it by ear. It took me a few days post wisdom extraction before I could eat yogurt. In the first few days, I could drink juice through a silly straw provided by my girlfriend. I've heard stories from people who were eating hamburgers the first day - from my experience, I just can't fathom this.
posted by plinth at 5:32 AM on May 20, 2008

Yeah, I'd hold off on the celebrating for a couple days and just focus on making her feel comfortable -- and that could mean leaving her alone while she sleeps for hours on end. She might appreciate one of you accompanying her to surgery (plus, you will be able to recount any and all trippy things she might say while doped up for her later enjoyment).

I wouldn't bring any food for immediate consumption - if she's not in pain, she might be numbed. I was fine the day I got my wisdom teeth out, but I couldn't feel my mouth for about eight hours, and any attempt to eat just resulted in my smearing pudding all over my cheeks.

I'm not sure whether you're talking about wisdom teeth or her first/second molars, but if she's getting already-in teeth removed, she might like some reassurance that she's still beautiful, and maybe a gift certificate for a pedicure or something similar might be a good gift idea? You can't really see other people's molars unless you're looking for them, but people can be really self-conscious about their teeth.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:56 AM on May 20, 2008

Also, a really nice and comfy set pajamas or sweats for her to wear while she sleeps the surgery off might be a good preemptive birthday present.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:59 AM on May 20, 2008

I think just having someone around is really nice when you have your wisdom teeth out. Maybe you could make her a big gift set of all the useful things she'll want. I would say dark colored jammies (I coughed with a mouth full of bloody mucus when I had my wisdom teeth out...horrifying), a bunch of refreezable ice packs she can put in the freezer, something to tie that ice pack to her head so she doesn't have to hold it, goofy DVDs to watch...and a promise to go out and get anything, ANYTHING, she thinks she can eat without bitching about it.

I got so hungry after I got my wisdom teeth out (you can tell this was recently) that I almost passed out in the shower. Just make sure there's someone with her, if she lives alone.
posted by crinklebat at 8:16 AM on May 20, 2008

Ditto on the dark jammies, as well as a "disposable" pillow/pillowcase. Numb mouth + surgery = blood and drooling. (Sorry for the TMI!) Aside from that, it kind of depends on how your friend reacts to the surgery. After mine, I came home and slept, and slept, and slept some more. When I was awake, I wanted to be curled up on the couch, and eat some mashed potatoes. And then go back to sleep. I would avoid planning anything at all for a few days after the surgery. Seconding it being nice to have someone around, but don't be surprised if she's kind of out of it.
posted by CrazyGabby at 11:30 AM on May 20, 2008

The first thing I ate after getting all my wisdom teeth removed was one of those giant cookie sandwiches with cream filling (the kind you get in the mall food court). I was pretty loopy from the pain meds but the cookies were so...delicious...
Anyway, your friend might want to wait a few days before going out, since even if she can ignore the pain, she could be rocking some nice cheek bruises for a while. I was really happy that a few of my friends came over just to hang out (and did I mention bring me those delicious cookies?).
posted by Jemstar at 11:35 AM on May 20, 2008

I just had two teeth extracted and it took almost a week before I could eat. Now, it has been 9 days and I am finally eating, but not a lot, and nothing crunchy.

I doubt your friend will want much, but make sure to provide smoothies or milkshakes or fraps at various intervals throughout the day. I would rent some good movies and let your friend curl up on the couch. Provide company, encouragement and maybe party hats.

You are a good friend, btw.
posted by casadecruz at 2:55 PM on May 20, 2008

oh and I want to add that my husband just had oral surgery, a week after mine, and he was back to the work the next day! So everyone is different.
posted by casadecruz at 2:58 PM on May 20, 2008

I suspect you might have to rain check on her birthday, because given the large range of how she might be doing post-surgery (when I had it, I was fine after like an hour of sleeping and was eating the cold stuff, but I was flukeishly well off after it), she could be utterly unable to do something, or up for something.

If you REALLY want to do something, I suggest someone waits by the phone for her to call post-surgery if she's up for a get together, and let her figure out what she's up to from there.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:18 PM on May 20, 2008