Skin Surgery Instruction
What to do before skin surgery?
- YOU DO NOT NEED TO STOP taking your ASPIRIN, COUMADIN or (BLOOD THINNING MEDICATIONS for your medical condition) prior to the procedure. If your doctor has prescribed these medicines, CONTINUE THEM AS PRESCRIBED. Make sure your dermatologist or surgeon is aware of your complete medication list, including these.
- One day prior to surgery we ask that you avoid alcohol, as alcohol may also increase bleeding.
- Vitamin E supplements may also increase bleeding during and after surgery. Many patients take alternative medicines or supplements such as garlic, gingko, biloba, goldenseal, licorice, bilberry, and red clover. These medicines also can lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery. Please discontinue Vitamin E supplements and these other supplements prior to surgery.
Please let us know if you have an ARTIFICIAL HEART VALVE or a history of ENDOCARDITIS at least one day before your surgery. Please call (609) 799-1600
- On the morning of surgery YOU MAY EAT A REGULAR BREAKFAST. Please take all medications that you normally take. You may want to bring a driver in case you leave here with a bandage that would affect your driving abilities and because you may be very tired after the surgery.
- On the morning of surgery, avoid wearing any makeup or moisturizers.
What can I expect after surgery?
- After the local anesthetic wears off, there is usually minimal pain. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is frequently enough to relieve any discomfort. As aspirin and aspirin products (Excedrin, Anacin, etc.) may increase the possibility of bleeding, these products should be avoided. Occasionally, a stronger medication for pain will need to be prescribed.
- To relieve swelling and mild pain, ice pack can be applied to the site for 3 to 5 minutes several times during the first 24 hours
- A certain amount of redness and swelling is completely normal in the area of the surgical wound. This gradually improves over several days to a week. Along with this, there may be some bruising. This is usually a little more long lasting but goes away in one to two weeks. If the redness, swelling, pain or bruising increases or does not improve, you should contact our office.
- Alcohol should be avoided following surgery as it dilates blood vessels and could lead to bleeding problems in the wound. We also recommend that heavy lifting and strenuous exercise be avoided.
- Infection is always a risk of surgery, but fortunately it is an infrequent problem after skin surgery.
- Infection usually does not show up right after surgery but rather several days later. As mentioned above, redness and swelling occur normally after surgery and become less and less apparent with each day. If after several days, redness, swelling and discomfort begin to increase in severity and/or if pus begins to come from the wound, then this may represent an infection and you should call the office.
- Bleeding is rarely a problem after skin surgery. If bleeding occurs, it is usually in the first 24 hours after surgery. Apply moderate pressure continuously to the dressing or directly to the wound with a clean gauze or washcloth for 15 minutes; if there is still active bleeding, remove the bandage and apply pressure directly to the bleeding site for a second period of 15 minutes. If the bleeding has not stopped, please call the office.
- After any form of surgery, there will be a scar. Some people develop a prominent, raised, enlarged scar. The risk of this is increased when a surgery is done on the neck or upper torso, such as the back or chest. We make every attempt to give you the nicest scar possible and most people are very satisfied with the ultimate cosmetic result after skin cancer surgery. It is important to be patient, allowing the scar tissue to naturally remodel. This often takes several months to achieve the final result.
How do I care for my surgery site?
- Leave the dressing on and do not get the site wet or dirty for 24-48 hours
- Remove dressing after 24-48 hours
- It is okay to shower and wash with a mild soap once the dressing is off
- Wash the area gently, do not rub or scrape the site and pat dry
- Apply petroleum ointment (Aquaphor, Vaseline, Aveeno Healing Ointment) from a new tube on the area 4-5 times a day to make sure the site is always moist. Keeping the site moist will prevent it from scabbing. You do not want a scab to form.
- Wash the area and change the dressing daily. Keep the area covered with a thin layer of ointment at all times until the site is completely healed or suture is removed.
When can I resume my usual activities?
- After surgery, go home, relax, and take it easy!
- Avoid exercise, bending, straining, swimming or lifting any heavy objects until suture is removed
Skin Biopsy Instruction
How to care for your biopsy site:
- Leave the dressing on and do not get the site wet or dirty for 24 hours
- Remove dressing after 24 hours
- It is okay to shower and wash with a mild soap once the dressing is off
- Wash the area gently, do not rub or scrape the site and pat dry
- Apply petroleum ointment (Aquaphor, Vaseline, Aveeno Healing Ointment) from a new tube on the area 4-5 times a day to make sure the site is always moist. Keeping the site moist will prevent it from scabbing. You do not want a scab to form.
- Wash the area and change the dressing daily. Keep the area covered with a thin layer of ointment at all times until the site is completely healed or suture is removed.
- After biopsy there will be a scar. This is particular concern, of course, when the surgery involves the face. Some people develop a prominent, raised, enlarged scar. The risk of this is increased when a biopsy is done on the neck or upper torso, such as the back or chest. We make every attempt to give you the nicest scar possible and most people are very satisfied with the ultimate cosmetic result after biopsy. It is important to be patient, allowing the scar tissue to naturally remodel. This often takes several months to achieve the final result
Care After Cryotherapy (Freezing)
- After treatment, the treated area may swell and become red.
- Although the freezing itself wears off within a few minutes, its effects may not be fully seen for 24-72 hours.
- Within 24 hours after treatment, a blister may form in the treated area. The blister may be a “blood blister” which can present as red to purple color. You should leave the blister alone, do not pop it. If you have extreme discomfort, please call the office.
- You may get the area wet and continue doing normal daily activities
- If weeping or crusting occurs, cover it with petroleum ointment and a dressing, if necessary. Wash and change the dressing daily until it is dry
Cosmetic Procedure Instruction
Pre-Procedure Guidelines
- Three (3) days before the procedure, avoid topical products such as Tretinoin, Retin-A, Retinols, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, or Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Also avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing or the use of hair removal cream on the area to be treated
- Do not drink alcoholic beverage 24 hours before your treatment to avoid extra bruising.
- Inform your doctor if you take aspirin or blood thinning medications.
- Inform your doctor if you have a history of cold sores to receive advice on antiviral therapy prior to procedure.
- You should not receive fillers/botulinum toxin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are allergic to any of its ingredients, or suffer from any neurological disorders.
Day Of The Procedure & Immediately After The Procedure
- Please arrive to the office with a clean face – without makeup or moisturizer.
- To maximize your comfort during the procedure, a topical anesthetic maybe applied.
- Redness and swelling are normal. Bruising may also be visible.
- You may experience some tenderness at the treatment site that can last for a few hours or a few days.
Post-Cosmetic Procedure Care
- Do not massage the treated areas unless instructed to do so.
- Apply ice/gel pack to the area treated to help reduce swelling and the potential for bruising. If bruising occurs, it will generally fade in 5 to 14 days.
- Avoid excessive pressure on the treated area and be very gentle when cleansing or applying makeup.
- Avoid exercise or strenuous activities for the remainder of the procedure day.
- You may resume other normal activities and routines after the procedure.
- You may take Tylenol for mild tenderness or discomfort but DO NOT take aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, and Aleve.
- Avoid extended UV exposure.
Please call the office if you have any questions or concerns.