Consulting Surgeons

POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS - MINOR SURGERY

  1. Pain medication. Local anesthesia has been used in the wound and will last for 2-4 hours. Afterwards, you may take extra-strength Tylenol. It is not necessary to take pain medication unless you have pain.

  2. Activity. You need not restrict your activities except for your comfort. In general, you may return to work as soon as you feel able.

  3. Wound care. You may remove the outer bandage the day after surgery and shower. Underneath the outer bandage there may be butterfly tapes covering the incision; leave these tapes in place until they begin to curl up at the edges (about one week). At this point, they may be removed. There is no need to place a fresh bandage on the wound unless there is drainage or if your clothing rubs against the incision causing irritation. Do not immerse the incision underwater until approved by the doctor.

    It is normal to develop some swelling along the incision, which may require several weeks before it goes away. To reduce the swelling, you may use an ice pack over the bandage or on top of your clothing for 20 minutes at a time 3 times a day for the first 2 days after surgery.

  4. Followup. The doctor will need to see you again in about 7-10 days after surgery to check the wound and/or remove sutures. You may of course call at anytime with additional questions.

  5. Pathology. During the course of the procedure, the doctor may have sent some tissue to the hospital for additional testing. It generally takes about 2-5 working days before the results of these tests are known. The doctor will call you with the results when they become available. If you have not heard from the office after 5 business days, you may call for the results.

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Updated 6-6-06 Id

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