Gaul Dermatology
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Mohs Surgery

Preparation for Mohs Surgery

Post-Op Wound Care

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WOUND CARE INSTRUCTIONS: NON-DISSOLVING SUTURES

  • If you were instructed to stop any medications prior to surgery, you may re-start those in one week.

  • AVOID HEAVY LIFTING, stooping or other strenuous activities for the first 2-3 days, as this may cause post-operative bleeding (i.e. don’t lift anything heavier than a dinner plate!). Also avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages.

  • If bleeding occurs:
    • Leave the dressing on - DO NOT REMOVE!
    • Sit down, rest your elbow on a table and apply firm pressure over the bandage for 10 minutes, no peeking.
    • If you are unable to stop the bleeding by applying steady pressure for 10 minutes, remove dressing and apply a moistened tea bag directly over wound. Use steady pressure for ten minutes.
    • If the wound is still bleeding and our office is closed, go to the nearest Emergency Room or see your family physician.

  • The top bandage should remain on for the first 48 hours following surgery. Wash your hands thoroughly before changing the bandage. After two days, remove the initial dressing and use a clean cotton swab saturated with STERILE SALINE (the type used for contact lenses) to gently cleanse the area. Then apply PETROLEUM JELLY IN A NEW TUBE (not in a jar) or and a non-stick BANDAID or TELFA PAD. Secure the telfa pad with micropore flesh colored or white PAPER TAPE. Continue dressing changes once each day until the area is healed.

  • 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.

  • For PAIN and/or SWELLING, use an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas over the bandage for 10 minutes every 1 to 2 hours. You may take Tylenol for pain.

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

  • Signs of infection include increased warmth, tenderness or yellow drainage with foul odor. Call our office if you are experiencing this.



2004 Hwy Blvd   -   Spencer, IA  51301   -   (712) 262-6906
 

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