Post-Surgery FAQs
Surgical Wound Aftercare
At Dermatology Affiliates, we are dedicated to patient satisfaction. Please use this page to reference our professional guidelines and advice when beginning your post-surgery care and routine. If you have any questions or concerns about your post-surgery care, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Post-Surgery Follow-Up Appointments
Usually one return visit is all that is needed to examine the healed surgical site or remove your surgical dressings. Afterwards, you may return to your referring physician for routine checkups. Lifetime annual checkups are considered essential. After having one skin cancer, statistics show that you have a higher chance of developing a second skin cancer.
You should have your skin checked by your referring dermatologist at least once a year for four years, not only to examine the treated skin cancer but also to check for new skin cancers.
Post-Surgery: Protect Yourself
The best protection from skin cancer is to avoid the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Even if you tan easily, the sun can contribute to skin cancer by damaging the genes that control cell growth and the body’s immune system, allowing early cancers to grow unchecked by normal immune defenses. Minimize exposure by:
Using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, preferably with UVA/UVB protection, whenever you spend time in the sun.
Avoid sun exposure during midday hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Do not stay outdoors unprotected on cloudy days, since ultraviolet light penetrates clouds easily.
Following this advice may allow you to continue your outdoor activities without changing your lifestyle.
You can purchase sunscreen online by visiting the QualDerm Partners online store.
Post-Surgery FAQs
How to Care for Open Wounds Post-Surgery
No strenuous activity for 48 hours.
Do not take aspirin or other over-the-counter products containing aspirin or other blood thinners for 48 hours. Take Tylenol or aspirin-free pain relievers as needed for discomfort.
Continue taking all prescribed medication.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 48 hours.
Keep the pressure bandage in place for 24 hours. If it becomes blood-tinged or loose, reinforce it with gauze and tape.
Remove the bandage after 24 hours and begin wound care.
Clean the area with tap water using a Q-tip or gauze pad; shower or bathe normally.
Dry the wound with a Q-tip or gauze pad.
Apply Polysporin or Bacitracin ointment with a Q-tip. Do not use Neosporin ointment.
Cover the wound with a Band-Aid or nonstick gauze pad and paper tape.
Repeat wound care once a day until the wound is completely healed.
A wound heals faster and with a better cosmetic result when it is kept moist with ointment and covered with a bandage.
Supplies Needed
Q-tips or gauze pads.
Polysporin or Bacitracin ointment.
Band-Aids or nonstick gauze pads and paper tape.
How to Care for Sutured Wounds Post-Surgery
If you have a sutured wound after surgery, follow these aftercare instructions:
No strenuous activity for 48 hours.
Do not take aspirin or other over-the-counter products containing aspirin or other blood thinners for 48 hours. Take Tylenol or aspirin-free pain relievers as needed for discomfort.
Continue taking all prescribed medication.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 48 hours.
Keep the pressure bandage in place for 24 hours. If it becomes blood-tinged or loose, reinforce it with gauze and tape.
Remove the pressure bandage after 24 hours.
Leave the flat bandage in place until your follow-up appointment.
Keep the bandage dry and wash around it carefully.
If the tape becomes soiled or starts to come off, reinforce it with additional paper tape.
Do not smoke for three weeks; smoking is detrimental to wound healing.
It is normal to have swelling and bruising around the surgical site. Bruising will fade in approximately 10–14 days.
Elevate the area to reduce swelling.
Numbness, itchiness, and sensitivity to temperature changes can occur after surgery and may take up to 18 months to normalize.
Possible Complications
Slight post-surgery complications may arise. Severe pain or bleeding is not common. Call our offices immediately, or go to the nearest emergency room, if these complications do not slow.
Bleeding
Leave the bandage in place.
Use rolled gauze or a clean cloth to apply direct pressure over the bandage for 20 minutes.
Reapply pressure for an additional 20 minutes if necessary.
Call the office or go to the nearest emergency room if pressure fails to stop the bleeding.
Use additional gauze and tape to reinforce the bandage once bleeding has stopped.
Pain
Post-operative pain should slowly improve, never worsen.
A severe increase in pain may indicate a problem. Call the office if this occurs.