Post-operative Information

Signs of Infection

  • Fever or Chills
  • Increasing Redness
  • Increasing Warmth
  • Increasing Tenderness
  • Thick or Foul Smelling Drainage
  • Increasing Discomfort/Pain

Please call our office immediately if you are experiencing any of the above signs or if you have any questions. If bleeding occurs apply continuous pressure for 30 minutes. Call our office if it persists:(781) 416-3500

Biopsy or Open Wound with No Stitches

  1. Keep the area clean and the dressing dry and in place for 24 hours.
  2. After 24 hours you may shower normally.
  3. Gently clean the area with soap and water once a day, and apply a drop of Bacitracin, Vaseline ointment, or Aquaphor and cover with a bandage.
  4. Keep moist and covered until completely healed to avoid scab formation.
  5. Please call our office if you do not receive notification of biopsy results within 1 week.

Biopsy or Excision with Stitches

  1. Keep dressing clean, dry, and bandaged for 24 to 48 hours.
  2. You may shower after you remove the dressing, but avoid submerging the area underwater (such as in a bath, swimming pool or whirlpool).
  3. Gently clean the area with soap and water once a day, and apply a small amount of Bacitracin, Vaseline, or Aquaphor then cover with a bandage (such as Band-Aid, Nexcare, Curad).
  4. Do NOT leave the area “open to air” as this will impede wound healing.
  5. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any discomfort as per package directions. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for 5 days post surgery.
  6. Return for suture removal as instructed (generally 1 week for face, 2 weeks for body).
  7. Please call our office if you do not receive notification of biopsy results within 1 week.

Liquid Nitrogen (Freezing)

  1. You may bathe normally after treatment
  2. Blisters may develop. Do not pick at the blisters or remove the top of the blister.
  3. Gently clean the area in the shower or bath. You may apply Bacitracin, Vaseline ointment, or Aquaphor if desired.
  4. There may be a need to repeat the treatment if the lesion does not resolve.

NOTE: SEPARATE CHARGES FOR PATHOLOGY SERVICES

Pleas note that if a biopsy is done, you will receive separate bills for pathology charges from StrataDx Dermatopathology. These bills are for the processing and interpretation of the biopsy specimen. The bill for your visit today does not include these charges.