Immediately after surgery- Go home and rest. No strenuous activity, heavy lifting for 48 hours. Keep the tongue moving to prevent muscle tightness. Gentle caves, point and trace are to be done several times daily for the first 5 days. Do not overextend past the feeling of a pulling sensation or pain.
Discomfort after tongue tie release- Muscle discomfort in the jaw, face, neck, upper back is to be expected. Your ears may feel like they have an ear infection. This is due to the location of the muscle attachments on the skull in front of the ear canal. Your muscles will all be in a state of confusion, and this is the time we want to retrain them where it is correct. Ears over shoulders, shoulders over hips. Avoid tucking your chin down. Tongue to rest on the palate as much as possible, lips closed.
Medications- Take medications as directed by your doctor.
Ice Therapy- Have cold drinks, popsicles, ice cream etc., to help with swelling.
Stitches- Stitches will dissolve on their own around day 5-7. It is not uncommon for the knot to be stuck and massaged out. If the stitches pop at any time, keep the area clean as possible.
Eating/Drinking- Avoid any foods that may be sharp, acidic, spicy or containing small seeds. Soft diet and small bites to allow the tongue to relearn how to manipulate food. Swallow using correct swallowing techniques: teeth together, lips open, tongue on spot for food and drinks. Minimize the amount of salt as it can increase swelling. Avoid using straws.
Bleeding and healing- Slight bleeding may be noticed at first. After a couple of days or if a stitch pops, you will notice a yellowish/greenish layer forming. This is normal and is a “wet scab” that has traces of the silver nitrate used to chemically cauterize in it. If any redness is noted around the edges that is not improving, worsening or accompanied by a fever, please let us know.