Excision Care

Activity Restrictions

On the day of your surgery

▪       Rest and relax for the remainder of the day

▪       Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks

▪       Take all your medications as usual

▪       Use ice packs wrapped in a wash cloth for 10min on, 20 min off over bandage

Until 2 days after your surgery

▪       Keep surgical site dry. You may “sponge bathe” the rest of your body

▪       Two days after your surgery, you may begin to take showers (but continue to avoid baths)

For 2-3 weeks after your surgery

▪       Avoid heavy-lifting more than 5lb and abrupt movements such as bending or stretching

▪       Avoid submerging the surgery site in water; avoid baths or swimming

Care of the Procedure Site

1) Two days after your procedure, remove the bulky outer pressure dressing.

2) You may then allow water to run over the site while in the shower, but do not submerge in water. Do NOT cleanse this site with soap 

3) Allow site to dry after bathing. Do NOT apply any ointments or moisturizers to this site. Do NOT need to re-cover this site. 

4) Do NOT peel off the glue overlying the surgical site.

What to Expect

Pain: mild or moderate pain is normal

▪       You may apply an icepack over a washcloth to the site for 10 min on, 20 min off over bandage

▪       If needed, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. Do NOT take if you have liver disease. Do NOT exceed the dose instructions on the bottle.

Bleeding: bruising is normal

▪       If bleeding occurs, apply firm pressure to the bandage for 30 minutes. If the bleeding continues, please contact our office.

Infection: mild redness of wound edges & clear, pink or straw-colored drainage are normal

▪       If you develop expanding redness, milky drainage, fever or chills, please contact our office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at 850-888-2424.