After Surgery

After Surgery

Wound Care

Patients will be given a list of instructions for post-surgery wound care. It is important that patients follow these instructions to avoid infection and preventable complications. If you’d like a copy of these instructions for proper wound care to print out, feel free to download the PDF at the bottom of this page.

Post-Surgery

  • Leave the current bandage on overnight.
  • You may remove the bandage before showering the next day. The sutures may get wet, but avoid direct pressure from the shower on the wound.
  • Wash daily, dry the area completely and apply Neosporin or Vaseline. At this point it is no longer necessary to cover the area with a bandage
    If there is irritation to the area due to friction from clothes, jewelry, or anything else, it can be covered to cut down on friction.
  • Apply Neosporin or Vaseline twice daily until the sutures are removed
  • If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the office.

In Case of Bleeding

  • Hold pressure to the area for 20 minutes.
  • If there is no relief of bleeding and it is between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday through Thursday, or 9am and 2pm on Friday, contact the Complete Family Dermatology nursing team for further assistance.
  • If there is no relief of bleeding and it is outside of office hours or no one is available, go to your local emergency care clinic or Emergency room.

Washing Sutures

  • It is ok to wash sutures gently with mild soap, such as Dove or Cetaphil, and water.

Discomfort After Surgery

  • Most patients have minimal discomfort; however, if you do, you may take Tylenol as directed.
  • AVOID ASPIRIN AND IBUPROFEN AS THEY MAY THIN THE BLOOD

Wound Infection

  • Rarely occurs.
  • Redness is to be expected as part of the healing process, however, if you notice an increase in redness, warmth, or discomfort, especially between day 3 to 5 post surgery, please do not hesitate to call.

Suture Removal

  • Sutures will need to be removed in 10 to 14 days from the date of surgery.
  • You may make an appointment with us for removal at no additional cost, or you may remove them at home or have your family physician remove them.

 

Here is a printable version of the wound care after surgery information to reference at your leisure.