WOUND CARE INSTRUCTIONS: DISSOLVING SUTURES

1. AVOID these medications for one week after surgery: They will cause bleeding problems.

   Aspirin 
   Motrin® (Ibuprofen) 
   Naproxen® or Aleve®
   Vitamin E
   Alka Selzer®
   Ginseng
   Garlic
   Ginkgo-biloba
   Ginger

   You may take Tylenol®

2. If bleeding occurs: -leave the dressing on- DO NOT REMOVE!  Apply steady pressure directly over the area for 10 minutes - NO PEEKING!

3. The first bandage should remain on for the first 48 hours following surgery.

4. Remove the top dressing after 2 days. Leave the tape strips that are under the top dressing on for 10-14 days. You may get the tape strips wet but do not scrub over them.

5. Wounds heal fastest if the above instructions are followed. However, if pain, redness, swelling or bleeding occurs, please call our office. If you are unable to stop the bleeding by applying steady pressure for 15 minutes and our office is closed, go to the nearest Emergency Room or see your family physician.

6. Dissolvable sutures, they should fall off in 10-20 days. If they have not dissolved after 21 days please call our office.

7. Some SWELLING or BRUISING is to be expected and goes away in 2 or 3 weeks. A "black-eye" is expected if the surgery was near your eye, nose or lower forehead and goes away in 2 or 3 weeks.

8. A certain amount of SCARRING is to be expected in any surgical site. Thickened scars occasionally occur and usually flatten over 3-12 months.