Minor Procedures Post-Operative Instructions
You have undergone a minor office procedure. The following instructions apply to you, unless you were told otherwise.
Do not tub bathe until incision is healed. You may take a shower on tomorrow.
If you have a clear taped dressing covering the area of surgery, you may blot dry after washing/showering. Keep the dressing in place until we remove your sutures.
If you do not have a dressing covering the area of surgery, keep the area moist with triple antibiotic ointment (Polysporin, Neosporin, Bacitracin) by applying with a cotton swab three times daily. Keep the area clean.
Discomfort is expected but should be minor and limited to the area of the procedure. Tylenol or ibuprofen should eliminate the discomfort, if a narcotic prescription is not prescribed. Call the office if your pain is not controlled by these medications. If you are taking narcotic pain medication, be sure to have a light snack, such as crackers, about 30 minutes before your take your medication.
Call the office if your incision is red, hot and tender. You have a temperature 100.4 or greater. You may have an infection. It is common for patients to notice some black and blue or maroon discoloration around the incision. This represents a small amount of blood and is normal. It should not alarm you. It is also common for this to only become apparent 2-3 days after surgery as blood in the tissues moves to the surface. The area may increase in size with time.
Your sutures should be left in for 5 to 14 days. The sutures should be removed in 5 to 7 days if they are on your face or neck. They should remain for approximately 10 to 14 days everywhere else. Occasionally they are left in longer if they are across a joint.