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Post-Op & Biopsy Care

Caring for your surgical or wound site after any procedure is important. Be sure to follow your doctor’s post-care instructions for the safest and best outcome, and follow the guidelines below.

Post-Operative Surgical Care

Leave the pressure dressing DRY and IN PLACE after surgery until suture removal date.

While it is normal to experience some swelling and bruising around the surgical site, there are steps you can take to minimize this:

  1. If the surgical site involved your face or scalp:
    • Sleep in a recliner or with your head elevated on at least two pillows for 2-3 days after surgery.
    • Avoid bending over, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity for at least 2-3 days after surgery
  2. Periodically apply an ice pack to the skin surrounding the surgical site.
  3. Avoid sleeping on the side of your body that was operated upon.

If your wound begins to bleed

If the bandage is saturated with blood, remove it so that direct pressure can be applied to the wound. Using a clean, dry washcloth or gauze, apply continuous pressure directly to the wound for 30 minutes (time it). Repeat with an ice pack if needed. If rapid bleeding continues after these measures, contact our office at (480) 916-3376, and you will then be referred to our after-hours on-call line. If you are unable to reach someone, report to the emergency room.

If you have pain after surgery

Please take any prescribed pain medication as directed. We recommend extra-strength Tylenol for pain after surgery. Call if you have severe pain not controlled with Tylenol. Avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and other NSAID pain medications for one week following surgery UNLESS PRESCRIBED FOR ANOTHER MEDICAL CONDITION.

If you have questions or concerns or develop excessive bleeding, fever, chills, or pus drains from your wound, call our office at (480) 916-3376.

After your sutures have been removed, you may use a silicone dressing such as ScarAway at bedtime to minimize scarring. Silicone bandages can be purchased at your local pharmacy.

Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least one week following surgery.

Skin grafts

Wound care instructions should be followed as above, in addition to the following: The sewn-on bolster dressing beneath the white pressure bandage should not be removed and should be kept dry until your follow-up appointment.

Biopsy Wound Care

A biopsy removes a sample of cells from the surface of your skin. This sample can be examined in many ways to provide more information about your medical condition.

There are three main types of biopsies

  • Shave biopsy – a doctor uses a sharp blade to remove a small section of the two top layers of skin (epidermis and superficial dermis)
  • Punch biopsy – a doctor uses a circular tool to use a small section of skin that can include the epidermis, dermis, and superficial fat
  • Excisional biopsy – a doctor uses a scalpel to remove an entire section of skin down to the fat, including some of the normal-appearing surrounding skin

A BIOPSY IS USUALLY USED AS A DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE AND MAY NOT RESULT IN THE COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE LESION OR FUNCTION AS A TREATMENT.

What are the risks of a skin biopsy?

Skin biopsies are generally a safe procedure, but complications can occur including:

  • Bleeding, bruising, infection
  • A scar will result from any procedure that removes a sample of skin – the type of scar that forms depends on the type of biopsy and the way an individual’s skin heals
    • Biopsies on the neck or upper torso may result in more prominent, raised scars
    • The scar’s permanent appearance may not be evident until 1-2 years after your biopsy

Most areas will begin to heal within 2 weeks – BIOPSIES ON THE LOWER LEGS AND FEET MAY TAKE UP TO 4-6 WEEKS TO HEAL.

THE SAMPLE OBTAINED IN A BIOPSY MAY NOT ALWAYS ALLOW FOR A DIAGNOSIS TO BE MADE AND MAY RESULT IN THE NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL BIOPSY/BIOPSIES TO OBTAIN A DIAGNOSIS.

 

Wound care after your biopsy

  • Once the procedure is completed your doctor will apply a dressing to the area that may be a bandage, a non-stick dressing with tape, or a pressure dressing – THIS DRESSING SHOULD BE LEFT IN PLACE FOR 24 HOURS. DO NOT GET THE BIOPSY AREA WET DURING THIS TIME.
  • Occasionally the biopsy site will bleed after your leave the clinic; this is more common in patients taking blood-thinning medications
    • If this occurs apply direct pressure to the wound for 10-20 minutes
    • IF BLEEDING CONTINUES YOU SHOULD CONTACT OUR OFFICE
  • CARE OF THE BIOPSY SITE – clean the wound once to twice daily
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before changing your dressing
    • Remove the old dressing, and wash the biopsy site with warm water and soap (if the biopsy site is on the scalp, you may use your shampoo)
    • You can use hydrogen peroxide on a Q-tip to remove any crusting or old ointment
    • Rinse the site well, and pat dry with gauze or a tissue (does not have to be sterile)
    • COVER THE SITE WITH OINTMENT – VASELINE, AQUAPHOR, CERAVE – DO NOT LET A SCAB FORM
    • Cover the site with an adhesive bandage (Band-Aid) or a non-stick Telfa-type pad and tape

Signs of infection

  • FIRE ENGINE RED
  • SWELLING
  • PAIN TO THE TOUCH
  • THICK YELLOW (NOT CLEAR) DRAINAGE

Your site may have slightly red edges, and yellow matter inside the wound – THIS IS NORMAL.

 

If you have any questions about your post-procedure care, don’t hesitate to call us at (480)916-3376.