Patient
information

Post-Procedure Instructions

SURGERY

Do

  • Shower as usual (please wait 24 hours post surgery). 

  • Keep the wound dry at other times (can apply Vaseline or Aquafor Healing Ointment once daily, for five days).

  • Cover wound with a dressing, for the first 24 hours, if stitches are present. 

  • Observe daily for signs and symptoms of infection.

Don’t

  • Do not soak wound in a bath or pool.

  • Do not take part in any exercise which will overly stretch the wound.

  • Do not stop Warfarin (Coumadin) or Aspirin, unless told to do so by your Physician.

Cryotherapy

Common Side Effects

  • Pain, Swelling, Redness, Bleeding, Crusting, Oozing

  • Blister Formation

What to do?

  • Take Tylenol as directed on bottle.

  • Clean area with warm water and a gentle soap. 

  • Apply Vaseline ointment or Aquafor Healing ointment to site once a day.

  • May cover with bandaid, if oozing.

  • Face lesions typically heal 7-10 days

  • Body lesions can take up to 2-3 weeks to resolve

Discomfort or Complications

Pain

Take Tylenol when required, unless contraindicated.

Bleeding

Apply pressure on wound firmly and continuously for 10 minutes, using clean gauze. Contact your Physician if this fails to stop bleeding.

Infection

If your wound becomes red with increasing pain, you will need to be assessed urgently by a doctor. The usual treatment is a one-week course of antibiotics by mouth. If your immune system is suppressed by medications or illness, you should seek help immediately.

Wound Dehiscence

This is a gaping opening of the wound due to broken or loose sutures. Only wounds of more than 2cm will require re-stitching.