Patient Instructions for Surgery
- If you are taking prescribed medications, continue to take them unless instructed otherwise. If you are taking Coumadin (Warfarin) because of a heart attack, atrial fibrillation, blood clot, heart stent, stroke or TIA you will usually be able to continue on the medication, although you may bleed more during surgery and have a greater chance of post-operative bleeding. If you are taking Coumadin, you may require a blood test (INR) within a week of surgery. If you are taking Plavix®, Pradaxa®, Xarelto®, Eliquis® or any other new oral anticoagulant (NOAC), we suggest that you stop taking the medication one or two days prior to your procedure.
- If you routinely take aspirin or ibuprofen products such as Motrin®, Aleve® or Advil® for headaches, pain or preventative measures, please stop 7 days before surgery. These products may cause more bleeding during and after the surgery.
- It is best to stop all supplements one week prior to surgery. This includes Vitamin E and supplements such as garlic, ginger, gingko biloba, ginseng, ephedra, etc.
- Stop smoking two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. It is well documented that smoking causes poor wound healing.
- Sometimes even with a minor procedure, a patient may feel anxious and nervous. We can give you medication to relax you, however, if you do take the medication someone should come with you to drive you home.
- You may eat a normal breakfast the morning of your surgery. If you are a diabetic, please bring a snack with you.
- If your surgery is for treatment of skin cancer, you should plan to spend time waiting for laboratory results. Sometimes the surgery can be more extensive than expected. Please be patient and bring some reading material with you.
- Please wear comfortable clothing. We ask that you wear a two-piece outfit since it will be necessary for you to remove your blouse or shirt and put on a gown.
- Please note: If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, please notify the surgical nurse with you the day of your surgery. If you have had a joint replacement in the last 5 years, you will be prescribed pre-operative antibiotics.
- If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment for surgery, please contact our office 5 days in advance and be sure to specify that you need to reschedule your surgery appointment.
Post-Operative Wound Care
Supplies
You will need the following:
- Tap water
- Telfa Dressing and Surgical Tape or Bandaids®
- Q-Tips®
- Vaseline®
Wound Care
- Clean wound two times daily beginning 48 hours after surgery.
- Clean wound with Q-Tips soaked in tap water. Do not reuse Q-Tips. Remove all crusted material and any white/yellow material that can come off easily.
- After cleaning, generously apply Vaseline with a clean Q-Tip.
- Cover your wound with Telfa Dressing cut to the size of the wound and then tape or Bandaids
- Continue wound care until 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
- Wash your hair the night before or the morning of your surgery. Shower and wash your face the morning of surgery
- 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 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 the following occurs:
- Bleeding which 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 100º F or 38º C.
- Signs of infection, i.e., redness, swelling, foul-smelling drainage, pain or heat.
- Severe nausea and vomiting.
