Wound Care
Clean the surgical wound two times daily beginning 48 hours after surgery. To clean the wound, follow these steps:
-
- Clean the wound with Q-Tips soaked in tap water. Remove all crusted material and any white/yellow material that can come off easily. Do not reuse Q-Tips.
- Generously apply Vaseline with a clean Q-Tip.
- Cover your wound with either a Telfa dressing cut to the size of the wound and secured with surgical tape or Band-Aids.
Continue to clean your wound daily until the stitches are removed or as your doctor directs. If the surgical site is swelling, you may elevate the site and apply an ice pack as long as the bandage stays dry.
Personal Hygiene
In the first 48 hours, showers or baths are allowed if the bandage remains dry. After 48 hours, the sutures may then get wet, but do not immerse the wound in bath water. Swimming is not allowed until the sutures are removed. Heavy lifting and exercise are not allowed until the sutures are removed.
Prescriptions
Unless the doctor states otherwise, take extra-strength Tylenol for pain as needed. Alcohol should be avoided for two days.
Contact Doctor If Any of the Following Occur:
- Bleeding that saturates your dressing (spotting of dressing is expected). To stop bleeding, hold direct pressure over the dressing for 20 minutes and do not remove the dressing,
- Fever greater than 100 degrees F or 38 C
- Signs of infection (redness, swelling, foul-smelling drainage, pain or heat)
- Severe nausea and vomiting