WOUND CARE INSTRUCTIONS: NON-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. 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) and a non-stick BANDAIDE 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.  (The supplies you will need are available in the DermUs store just north of the waiting room at a reduced price)

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 10 minutes and our office is closed, go to the nearest Emergency Room or see your family physician.

6. If you have sutures, they will need to be removed in days.

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.