For the first 72 hours after surgery:

  1. Go home, take it easy. Minimize exertion. Do not do anything that requires you to bend, strain, or lift.
  2. Keep the pressure bandage/surgical site dry.
  3. Icing instructions: apply ICE to the area, 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours until bedtime for 2 days (48 hours)
    1. Ice will help reduce pain and swelling. A bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a thin towel, or frozen peas/vegetables works well. Keep surgical site dressing in place and dry for the first 72 hours.

Starting 72 hours after surgery:

After 72 hours, you may shower regularly and allow the wound to get wet.

  1. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water before changing the bandage.
  2. Wash the surgical site with gentle soap and water.
  3. Apply a thin layer of ___________________
  4. Cover the site with a clean non-stick pad/bandage (such as Telfa) and secure with paper tape or you can use an extra-large band aid. Repeat this TWICE daily until the wound is healed. Small wounds may heal in 2-4 weeks. Large wounds can take 6-8 weeks or more.

All wounds normally drain (the larger the wound, the more drainage) which is why we insist on daily dressing changes. This drainage will decrease after the first week. A newly healed wound has a shiny look to the surface and is dark pink to red in color. The redness will fade over the next few months. Sometimes it can take 6 months to one year to fade completely. Itching or tingling is common and is a normal experience with healing.

For PAIN: Take 1-2 Extra Strength Tylenols or, if given, prescription pain medication as needed. Do not take any aspirin for at least 48 hours (unless prescribed by your doctor) as these may cause bleeding. Minimize alcohol intake for 24 hours.

For BLEEDING: If bleeding occurs following surgery, apply constant pressure on the bandage for 20 minutes! That will usually stop minor bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop, notify our office immediately! If the bandage is saturated it may be replaced

For SWELLING: Swelling occurs because of injury to the skin. Using ice packs for 48-72 hours will help reduce swelling. Swelling at the site may take weeks to months for final resolution.

Call the office immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

  • severe itching with a rash: this can indicate sensitivity to the ointment or to the bandage tape
  • fever, extreme or significant increase in pain, expanding redness, or pus draining. Clear yellow/orange drainage is normal; thick cloudy drainage needs to be evaluated. The base of deeper wounds may develop a whitish layer of fibrin (does not wipe off) which is normal for many wounds.

It is an old wife’s tale that a wound heals better when exposed to air. If kept clean and covered with ointment and a bandage, the wound will heal faster, and with a nicer cosmetic result.

*** In Case of Emergency or Uncontrolled Bleeding, please call the office at 561-498-4407 ***

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