Instructions for LAUP/UPP/Somnoplasty of Palate or Base of Tongue

The following points may be helpful before Surgery:

1. No blood thinners for 1-3 weeks. Please see #8 below
2. Time off after surgery varies from 3-14 days. Be sure to take enough time off of your work!
3. These surgeries may be recommended under a general or a twilight anesthesia. Either way, you will need a way home afterward, because you cannot drive for 24 hours.

The following points may be helpful after Surgery:

1. Push fluids. It is extremely important not to become dehydrated!
   
   
2. No straws or carbonated beverages for 3 days.
   
   
3. There may be ear pain instead of, or in addition to, throat pain. This may last 10-14 days.
   
   
4. The tonsil/palate area may be covered with a thick white material for up to three weeks.
   
   
5. Blood-tinged mucous for a few days is to be expected. You may want to place a protective cover over your pillow and under the pillow-case.
   
   
6. It is not unusual to run a fever up to 102F. for 2-3 days, but it shouldn’t go higher or last longer.
   
   
7. The prescription pain medication may upset the stomach. Use it when needed, but use it sparingly. Consider using plain Tylenol or Liquiprim instead.
   
   
8. No aspirin or ibuprofen/ketoprofen or blood thinners should be used for three weeks. Unsure if a medication is a blood thinner? Ask the office or the pharmacist.
   
   
9. There is a small risk of bleeding for the 2-3 weeks it takes to heal fully. For bright red bleeding: rinse (don’t gargle!) with ice water. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to the Emergency Room or call the office.
   
   
10. A cessation of snoring may take up to 6 weeks after surgery. Remember, the surgery often has several stages to completion.
    
    
11. Your well-being is important. Please call with any questions or concerns.