And boy my mouth is still numb as fuck. Fortunately I’ll have a 4 day weekend to recuperate. I would appreciate any tips or such that might have gotten you thru same-thanks in advance. 
I feel for you… it’s been years ago, but painkillers are your friends, at least for a day or two. Cream of wheat, oatmeal, yogurt, soft foods are also friends.
Be gentle with yourself and don’t be around anyone who might make you laugh. It hurts like hell!
Brush your teeth like you’re supposed to and be a little careful on the surgery sights, but they need cleaning, too.
Depending upon how much digging was involved, you may want more than 4 days. Mine were severely impacted (except one) and I have a small mouth - a double whammy, so I only know, I looked like a chipmunk someone beat up and, if I recall correctly, took several days off (in addition to my regular weekend). Generally, even with big surgeries, I only need painkillers for a day, so ymmv, of course, but that may affect how much time you need.
I’m doing that in a week! …well, 8 days. So, don’t have any advice, but will definitely be subscribing to this thread.
Did they put you under?
As I stated in this post in another thread, I had three wisdom teeth removed, and some other work done, a few weeks ago under sedation. It was great and, in fact, the best dentist experience I’ve ever had in my life. I highly recommend it.
Had mine out a year ago (after being in denial about needing to have them removed for 25 years). I did it exactly like you did (extraction on Thursday, took Thurs and Fri off work).
Be religious about the salt-water rinses, and anything else that your surgeon recommended.
Don’t push more solid food than recommended, any earlier than recommended.
Expect that you’ll be bleeding / leaking for at least the next day, and sore for at least a couple of weeks more. You probably won’t need the prescription-strength meds after a few days, but you’ll definitely be on OTC pain-killers for a week or two.
I had them knock me out (the first time I’ve ever been under general anasthesia). I just didn’t want to be aware of it at all.
Was out for about an hour; as I woke up, they were just finishing up the stitches. Went exceptionally well. Was really pretty out of it for an hour or two after that (which is why they tell you to make certain you have another adult to get you home safely).
Feel better! I had some teeth out before getting braces when I was about 14 and then a few years ago in college had the wisdom teeth out. The wisdom teeth were annoying but not as bad as the first surgery. Stick to soft things like mashed potatoes (those are a godsend!). And hang in there.
Yes, they put me on something which screwed with my sense of time-so I was nominally conscious, and remember them sticking crap in my mouth, but it was over almost as fast as it began.
If the stitches start to bleed, place a moistened black tea bag on the spot and keep it there. I never took pain-killers of any kind, but it definitely hurt like hell, so I’d recommend using some. Have fun.
Yep, that was kind of my experience as well. I looked up at the clock and it was suddenly 5 hours later. Freaky…but in a good way 
I got through it with copious amounts of frozen yogurt and lots of water.
Unfortunately, all 4 of mine were impacted. I had chipmunk cheeks and black eyes for almost a week.
I agree with kenobi 65 - follow your surgeons’ advice, and don’t jump the gun on “real” food. I ended up with an infection due to eating something I shouldn’t.
(Lucky for TheKid, she just got her braces off and now will have to have all 4 pulled later this summer as they’re already screwing up her orthodontia)
I lost the clot with one of my pulled wisdom teeth (also known as dry socket), and you DO NOT want that. If they say you can start rinsing your mouth after four hours, maybe wait a while longer. I thought I did everything right, and one of my clots still got lost. I’d not brush for a day or two, either. Be easy on yourself for the next couple of days at least, too. I went out to a wedding the day after I had two out, and basically went into shock - it’s harder on your body than you realize.
Had all 4 of mine out when I was 14.
Ice cream is your friend.
Were any of them impacted? I had three out at once (the fourth was nonexistent) and only the impacted one hurt. And it hurt like a motherfucker. I will agree with the recommendations to take it easy and follow all of your surgeon’s instructions. It took me about a week before my mouth felt reasonably normal again. I have heard people with no impactions say that they were good to go much more quickly than that, though.
I was sore for a few days afterwards, but that was about it. No swelling that I could detect. My procedure was done on a Thursday, and I went to work the following morning.
Yeah, watch it. **Do not run out of pain killers. ** I had two out under local one week and WENT BACK the next week for the other two to be removed. I clearly remember the painkiller running out on the first set, thinking I had some at home and I didn’t. I was banging like a drug addict on the door of the just closed pharmacy. I actually just rang someones door bell after that and they gave me a few aspirin, swollen and bruised and clutching my jaw barely able to speak without dribbling goo. **Do not run out of pain killers. ** The bruises and bonus black eyes were spectacular. The dentist thought all four at once would have been too much for me.
I had all four removed in 1986. Just in case you haven’t heard, keep the painkillers nearby. I did have a slight complication: an infection in one socket. So on my follow-up visit, the doc packed some medicated gauze around it, and it turned out OK.
I had the general, so I was pretty loopy afterwards, with only fragmentary memories. Nuthin’ much to add, though. Just follow the doc’s advice, and, well, you know the rest. . . .
If you decide you’d like a milkshake (and who doesn’t want a milkshake after oral surgery?) just don’t drink it with a STRAW!! The suction can cause dry socket.
Painkillers are your friends. Straws are not your friends!
Also, don’t ride rollercoasters two days after having 4 wisdom teeth out. This is a good way to break your jaw.
I had six wisdom teeth removed in high school. (Don’t ask me how I ended up with six, but I did.) Lots of Carnation Instant Breakfast for a couple of days, but I was fine in the end. Getting my tonsils out at 24 was worse.
I guess I’m doing pretty well then. I am still oozing blood, more slowly than at first. Most of the numbness is gone, but I have rather little pain-he put in 4 of those bone graft things, so those along with (I guess) the clots holding are holding down the fort.