Things to stock up on

How to make recovery suck less

You're about to go through a major surgery, so it's good to prepare first and make sure you have everything you need for a speedy, comfy recovery.  

These are all things that I personally found helpful - although you might not need everything here.  

Mouth rinses and gels for sore gums

I found that these products helped to speed up the healing process and maximise the chances that the graft takes:

• Curasept. If you are given Corsodyl, buy this instead!  It has the same active ingredient but it won't stain your teeth.
• Gengigel Gel. This really helped to soothe my mouth when it was feeling hot, tight, dry or sore. The gel is easy to use and thick enough that it seems to last in the mouth for a good while. Gengigel has been shown to help speed up healing and reduce inflammation, and I found it really works. 
• Gengigel Mouthrinse. This was also useful to make sure I could get the product into all nooks and crannies. This stuff helps to heal gums! 

Things to help with swelling

Excessive swelling is a big reason that grafts fail - this is because it can pull the stitches loose and expose the immature graft underneath.  Icing in the early stages can help - once the swelling sets in there isn't much you can do except wait for it to go down.  The key is in prevention during the first 24 hours (after this, ice feels nice but doesn't reduce the swelling much).

• Ice packs - any kind of reusable gel ones are great. I have Theraflex ones, which have held up for years and years. They remain soft enough when frozen to mould nicely to your face.
• Swanson Enteric Bromelain. Enteric bromelain can help to reduce swelling after surgery or injury. Check with your doctor before adding supplements.

Things to help with bruising

You might not have a big problem with bruising, but if you do, these things can help:

• Nelsons Arnicare Arnica Cream.  Brings down bruising like magic. 
• Vitamin K. Used by plastic surgeons to reduce post-surgical trauma, but please check with your periodontist first.