How to Care For Your Surgical Wound

1. A pressure dressing has been applied to reduce bleeding. This should be left on for 24-48 hours.

2. Until this dressing is removed, do not get the dressing wet (avoid showering and bathing).

3. Once the dressing is removed, begin the following wound care as instructed by your doctor ONCE A DAY until healed:

  • Remove all bandages

  • Wash your hands.

  • Clean the wound with warm water. You may clean the wound in the shower by letting warm water cascade gently over the wound. Do not let the full force of the water hit the wound.

    • DO NOT use Neosporin, Bacitracin, hydrogen peroxide, or other over-the-counter makeup products, alcohol, or toners to clean the wound.

  • Pat the area dry with a gauze pad or clean towel. Avoid vigorous rubbing.

  • Apply a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor using a cotton-tipped applicator (use a new jar or tube of Vaseline). Cover with a band aid or other bandage (non-stick pad /non-adherent pad + surgical tape / paper tape).

4. Return to the office / send photo via Klara in 7-14 days for suture removal / wound check.

5. To avoid bleeding:

    • Avoid activities that increase your heart rate or blood pressure for the first 48 hours.

    • If your surgical site is on your face or scalp, avoid tipping your head below the level of your heart for an extended period of time

6. To allow for proper wound healing and avoid excessive scarring, avoid vigorous physical activity that places strain and tension at your surgical site:

    • For 1 week (above the neck)

    • For 2-3 weeks (below the neck)

7. Your scar may be very noticeable initially, but with time (usually several months) the pink color will fade and irregularities become smoother. Make sure to keep the scar out of the sun (or wear sunscreen), because sun exposure will prolong the redness and can cause darkening.

8. If you experience pain after your procedure, we recommend:

  • 1000mg of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 8 hours.

  • If you are still experiencing significant pain, you can add 400mg of Ibuprofen every 4 hours

    • UNLESS you have a contraindication to Ibuprofen with your current medications, or you have been instructed to not take this due pre-existing medical conditions 

  • Ice packs can also be helpful for symptomatic pain control: Place over your bandage and to the surrounding skin for 10 minutes as often as every hour.

    1. If your original dressing is on, leave it in place

    2. Hold firm pressure directly over the site for 20 minutes continuously. DO NOT release pressure prior to 20 minutes to assess the site

    3. DO NOT place extra gauze or towels between the bandage and your fingers

    4. After 20 minutes, gently release pressure

    5. If there is still bleeding, repeat step 1-4

    6. If still no changes with another cycle of pressure, please follow the instructions below on contacting our office

  • Some swelling and bruising after surgery is to be expected. In order to optimize wound healing, we ask that you avoid any strenuous physical activity that would strain the stitches while they are in place. Please contact our office if you experience:

    • Increasing swelling, pain, redness, drainage over a few days

    • Rapid swelling around the surgical site

  • In order for your skin graft or skin flap to survive, it needs a good blood supply. While new blood vessels for your skin graft/flap form, avoid anything that may cause friction to the graft/flap site. Friction can disrupt the newly forming blood vessels and prevent the graft/flap from surviving. 


    DO:

    • Keep the skin graft/flap elevated. If your skin graft/flap is on your face, sleep elevated on 2 pillows. This will also help alleviate pain and swelling. 

    • Expect your graft/flap to be purple to reddish-pink. 

    DON’T:      

    • DO NOT RUB, SCRATCH, OR SLEEP ON THE SKIN GRAFT OR FLAP. This may cause it to detach. 

    • Don’t smoke. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict, thus limiting the blood supply to your skin graft/flap. If you can’t quit, try to cut back.

If you have an urgent question or concern after hours, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.