Post-Surgery Instructions
What type of surgeries can my dermatologist perform?
Your dermatologist can perform excisions of different types of skin lesions such as lipomas, dermatofibromas, cysts, and skin cancers. The procedure can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size, location, and complexity of the lesion.
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized form of skin cancer removal that Sora Dermatology offers. Your dermatologist will decide if Mohs surgery is appropriate based on the size, location, and severity of your tumor. Mohs surgery involves taking a skin cancer out in “layers.” This procedure is performed by Dr. Shao and can last all day.
What are my activity restrictions after surgery?
If possible, keep your operative site elevated above heart level. This may include sleeping in a recliner or on extra pillows.
Avoid heavy lifting, such as picking up anything more than 10 lbs. Avoid stooping and bending at the waist, especially if you surgery was on the head, neck, or back.
Limit strenuous activities if you have stitches in place. You may resume regular activity after stitches are removed, unless otherwise noted.
While the wound is healing, avoid going in “dirty” waters such as lakes, ponds, oceans, and hot-tubs.
Avoid smoking and nicotine-containing products as these cause delayed/poor wound healing.
Do not shave over your sutures.
How do I take care of the wound?
If this is a GRAFT or Skin Substitute like Epifix, do NOT disturb the dressing until you return to clinic.
If you are not on a blood thinner or aspirin:
Keep the bandage dry for 24 hours
After 24 hours you can remove the bandage and gently clean the biopsy site with soap and water. Then follow the rest of the wound care instructions.
If you are diabetic or the wound is below the knee, you may be asked to wash with a Hibiclens or anti-bacterial soap.
If you are on a blood thinner or aspirin, you will wait 48 hours to get the bandage wet and take it off.
After removing the pressure bandage and washing the wound, gently pat the area dry. Then apply Vaseline or Aquaphor ointment or petroleum jelly on the wound/over the sutures, then cover with a regular bandage. You do NOT want a dry scab to form.
Keeping the area moist is one of the best things you can do for scar appearance!
Avoid using over the counter topical antibiotics like Neosporin. If applied repeatedly, this can cause an allergic reaction.
If it is recommended that you should be using a topical antibiotic, one will be prescribed for you and you will use in place of petroleum jelly.
Repeat this process of gently cleaning and covering with ointment daily, until the wound heals or stitches are removed
Once the treated area has healed, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 to the area to help protect it from further scarring. Reapply at least every 2 hours
What can I do for pain and swelling?
Our local anesthesia will wear off in approximately 1-3 hours. Usually the first 24-72 hours is the worst for pain.
Recommended pain regimen:
Alternate between taking 500 mg of Tylenol and 400mg of Ibuprofen every 3 hours
That means if you take 500 mg Tylenol now, 3 hours later you will take 400 mg of Ibuprofen. Then 3 hours later you will repeat with 500 mg of Tylenol again.
Do not exceed 4 G or 4000 mg of Tylenol in a 24-hour period. Limit is less if you have existing liver issues.
Do not exceed 3200 mg of ibuprofen or other NSAID (ex. Motrin, Advil, naproxen, celecoxib, etc) in a 24-hour period. Limit is less if you have existing kidney issues.
Consider taking Aleve before you go to sleep, since this last 12 hours
You can also ice the area, unless directed otherwise, for up to 15 minutes at a time, up to 4 times a day. Please wrap your ice source in a towel and do not use directly on the skin.
What if I have bleeding?
It is normal to see some bloody drainage on the bandage for a few days after the procedure
We advise avoiding alcoholic beverages during the healing process, as alcohol dilates blood vessels, which can lead to bleeding. Alcohol may also interact with prescribed medications.
If you have significant bleeding from the site:
If your bandage is soaked and you have extra bandage supplies, you can remove the bandage and follow the below instructions.
If you don’t have extra bandage supplies, then you can keep the bandage you have on and still follow the below instructions.
Press firmly on the area with a clean gauze or washcloth for a full 20 minutes
Having someone else hold pressure for you is ideal
Do not lift the pressure to keep “checking” during this 20 minutes
If the bleeding doesn’t stop, repeat holding pressure with an ice pack wrapped in a clean paper towel
If the bleeding still hasn’t stopped after repeating this step, it is not an emergency, but you can call our doctor office for assistance!
When should I call the office?
You develop a fever
You develop spreading or streaking redness. Redness around the wound is normal, but if the redness is spreading/growing and is warm to the touch, please call.
You develop increased warmth, hardness, swelling and/or pain when there was little or none before
You develop purulent drainage. Seeing some white or gray in the center of the wound is normal, but if there is yellow/green and smelly pus dripping out of the wound, please call.
You can not get significant bleeding to stop after following the above instructions
Our office phone number to call is: 720-915-5343
How long will be sutures be in for?
This will be different for everyone and depends on the size of the wound, the location of the wound, and the tightness of the closure
It may also depend on the type of sutures or staples your surgeon uses
On average, stitches may be in place from 5 days to 2 weeks
When do I follow-up?
Follow up in the office as instructed by your dermatologist
This will usually depend on the type of repair/sutures you have