The Following Describes How to Care for Your Surgery Site

1) Please keep the original bandage on and dry for 24 hours or 48 hours or 1 week (your doctor will specify).
2) After 24 hours or 48 hours or 1 week remove the bandage.
3) Perform the following on a daily basis until healed (usually in 7-14 days)
A. Wash the area with warm water and antibacterial soap such as Dial soap
B. Gently pat the wound dry
C. Apply petroleum jelly (Aquaphor® or Vaseline®) to the wound bed using a clean cotton swab
D. Apply a new bandage using a non-stick gauze and paper tape.
i. Note: It is important to keep the wound moist with petroleum jelly and covered with a bandage as it will promote proper wound healing.
4) You should avoid any exercise (activity that causes you to be out of breath) and heavy lifting (greater than 7 lbs) for 2 weeks. These activities increase the risk of bleeding and reopening of the wound.
5) If the site is on your face or scalp, avoid bending over for at least 48 hours. Sit over or bend your legs if you need to pick something up. Additionally, do not shave over stitches.
6) Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol® can be taken if needed for pain.
7) If your stitches are not dissolvable, please be sure you have an appointment scheduled in 7-14 days for removal.
Concerned About Bleeding
i. 1) If the site is bleeding through the bandage, remove the original bandage and using a clean gauze or cloth, apply firm, constant pressure for 20 minutes.
b. a. During that time do not look at the wound, but instead hold firm direct pressure for 20 minutes. If the wound is still bleeding after 20 minutes, then repeat the procedure of holding 20 minutes of firm pressure to the wound. If bleeding stops, then carefully apply a new bandage. If bleeding continues, then please contact the office for further instructions.
Concerned About Infection?
a. 1) Redness, swelling and mild drainage are NORMAL signs of healing and should be expected for the first few days of healing.
b. 2) Wound infections are very unlikely within the first few days following a procedure. Wound infections are most common 4-10 days following a procedure.
c. 3) Signs of wound infection include expanding redness, swelling, increasing pain, thick white/yellow/green drainage, fever, and chills.
For most pathology results, we will contact you within 14 days with the results. If you do not hear from us within 14 days, please contact the office.
If you have emergent concerns AFTER HOURS, please call our office to speak with the on-call dermatologist. During working hours call the office at (704)784-5901.