Okay, if you are anything like me, you are here on Yelp reading reviews mostly because you are…read moresuffering from severe anxiety about getting oral surgery. I know I was a frequent visitor on this yelp page, and also reading strangers' accounts about their wisdom tooth removal experience ad nauseam. So this will be a two-part review -- one about how wonderful Dr. Lew and his staff are, and two basically the experience I had and hopefully, it can help YOU dear reader alleviate a bit of your anxiety.
I had an amazing experience. Echoing every review here, the staff was so caring and empathetic. And that MATTERS A LOT. Liz was wonderful, the nurse/ medical assistant that was with me was so caring and amazing (stupid me can't remember her name right now). It was a little weird because of covid. My consultation was over a zoom... which wasn't the worst thing in the world but of course in the back of my mind I'm like, "without looking at the teeth, does it REALLY need to come out". My wisdom teeth had grown in without much drama, but over the years, the upper teeth have gotten some decay on them because it's REALLY DIFFICULT to clean them. I'd been getting headaches for years, because when they became inflamed, they would hurt my sinus and then BOOM a migraine to ruin my day or even WEEK. My dentist (Dr. Ellis Wong who is great!!) recommended they come out (which made my heart stop), and recommend Dr. Lew. And I'm grateful for the recommendation!
After the procedure, I was not in any pain at all. No swelling. My left side of my mouth doesn't even feel like the tooth came out yesterday!! Dr. Lew is a master at this, and my results show!! My insurance was out of network but his office is doing an amazing job at dealing with my insurance and getting some payment out of them. I did have to pay upfront and I'm fortunate enough to have had some savings. It wasn't like super-duper expensive out of pocket but it was a chunk of change. Honestly, it was worth every penny, this is something you don't want to skimp on if you can help it.
Come here for your oral surgeon needs, you won't regret it!!!! I would give 6, 7, 8, 10 stars if I could!!!!!
Okay the review portion is complete, now for my nervous nellies, continue to read.
So, I was a nervous wreck. I've never gone under anesthesia before in my life. I have INTENSE anxiety, especially when it comes to anything medical. I had some medical drama when I was 3 so I guess that has really imprinted on me as an adult. I wasn't so nervous about the teeth coming out as I was about the anesthesia. Fear of not being in control and the unknown.
I was so scared, I cried the night before just so you know where I stood.
The nurse/medical assistant that helped me was a literal angel. When I went into the room, I told her I was nervous, and she offered to hold my hand if I needed it. There were two other anesthesiologists in the room and I could see they had serious equipment and weren't just 'randomly injecting me' (idk what I was thinking, like a tranq dart to the neck or something?? LOL). Seeing all the equipment really helped take my anxiety down a few notches (as funny as that sounds).
I was brave, got on the chair, and finally met Dr. Lew in person. So professional, nice, but like you could just tell he knew his shit but somehow was so respectful at the same time!! I'm in awe, haha. He explained everything that was going to happen. They gave me the IV and sprayed it with some cold spray and I didn't even feel it go in my arm.
sidenote--- I had a freaking IV IN MY ARM for like 30+ mins and I HAVE NO BRUISING. I just got my blood drawn a few weeks ago, and the person at my drs office wasn't gentle with me and I had massive bruising for 2 weeks from a simple blood draw, but again, in AWE, I bruise easily. That means they really took care and were gentle with me.
The first stuff in the IV was some 'anti-swelling medicine. Honestly no clue what it was, I was still feeling nervous because it wasn't the anesthesia stuff. But I barely swelled so I guess it did its job!!
Dr Lew stepped out for a moment and came back in a helmet (maybe covid protection). He then told me he was going to give me a small dose of the anesthesia stuff and asked me to describe how it felt. Honestly, this technique was GENIOUS. I've been told by friends that they usually have you count... but feels a little out of your control. (felt like a STRONG AF edible!!! lol) When I explained to him how I felt, I felt like I had some agency. Then I remember laughing at the fact his helmet reminded me of an Among Us character, and then the next moment I was in a wheelchair being wheeled out. (which I thought was amazing since I was still high) I gave the nurse a hug, I was so grateful for her kindness. And that was it!! if you are reading this, got this! xoxoxo
One last thing, I've literally just been on basic Motrin, the pain is min, and way less pain than the headaches they gave me in the past