Post-Mohs Surgery Instruction
Post-Mohs Surgery Wound Care Instructions
- Please keep the initial dressing dry and do not remove for 24 hours
- Apply ice (frozen peas/corn) every 2 hours for 20 minutes at a time for the rest of the day
- Elevating your surgical site helps minimize swelling. Sleeping with an extra pillow helps
- If bleeding occurs, apply firm continuous pressure over bandage for 20-30 minutes without removing the bandage, or looking to see if it has stopped
- Exercise or other strenuous activity that places tension on the surgical site (weight lifting, golf, etc.) should be avoided for two weeks after the surgical procedure for optimal wound healing
- No aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen for 5 days unless prescribed by another provider. Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain
- No alcohol for 48 hours after surgery
- You may shower and get the area wet 24 hours after the surgery
- 24 hours after your surgery change the dressing once a day, using the following steps:
- Gently remove the old bandage
- Wash area gently with a cotton ball, gauze or Q-tip using a mixture of ½ water and ½ peroxide to remove any crusting along suture line/wound. If you have steri-strips, clean over strips as previously instructed. No need to remove them – they’ll fall off on their own when ready
- Pat dry and apply Aquaphor ointment (or plain vaseline) to keep wound moist for better healing until your follow-up appointment
- Cover with dry sterile gauze or Band-Aid
- No need to cover the wound if you will be staying indoors as long as ointment has been applied. A dressing must be applied when you are outdoors or when you go to bed
- If you received dissolving stitches, stop the hydrogen peroxide after 10 days but continue applying Aquaphor until your post-op visit
- If your wound becomes red, warm, painful, begins to drain, or if you develop a fever of 101 degrees or greater, please contact us
If you have any further questions or problems, please call the office Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM at 781-416-3500.