Removal of Lesions. For patients going home

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1 Form: D-5376 Removal of Lesions For patients going home Read this brochure to learn about: How to care for yourself at home How much activity is safe How to cope with pain What problems to watch for When to see your doctor again You have had an anesthetic or narcotic medicine. Do not drive a car or drink alcohol for 24 hours. Have a responsible adult stay with you overnight.

2 What can I eat and drink after my surgery? You can eat and drink what you normally would right away. If you feel nauseated (sick to your stomach) or you are vomiting, you can: Get anti-nausea medicine from your local pharmacy without a prescription (such as Gravol). You can take it as a pill or rectally. Always follow the instructions on the package. Take the anti-nausea medicine as directed and drink liquids until the nausea passes. Then slowly start to eat what you usually eat. How much activity is safe? Go home and rest the first day. Then return to your usual activities. You can return to work unless your surgeon has instructed you differently. Avoid swimming and doing other water-related activities until your wound has healed (about 5 to 7 days). When can I shower or bathe? You can take a shower but try not to get the wound wet for 24 hours after your surgery. For wounds on the scalp, do not wash your hair or wet the wound for 24 hours. Use a clean, wet washcloth to wash around your face and neck wounds. Pat wounds dry with a clean washcloth. You may take a shower if you have steri-strips (white strips) over your wound. Pat the area dry. Do not soak in a tub. 2

3 How do I take care of my wound? Always keep the wound clean and dry. Remove the dressing (bandage) in 24 hours unless told differently by your surgeon. You do not have to reapply a bandage. If you have steri-strips, leave them in place for 7 days. If they begin to fall off earlier, remove them and throw them away. You may have dissolvable sutures. These sutures will dissolve on their own. If you have sutures that need to be removed, your surgeon or family doctor will remove them in 7 to 10 days. Call to make an appointment if you do not have one already. How do I cope with pain? You may have pain and discomfort. This is normal and should get better with time. We may give you a prescription for pain medicine. Take the prescription to a pharmacy to get it filled and follow the directions on the bottle. Or, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol Extra Strength) if needed. Follow the directions on the bottle. Some pain medicines can cause constipation. To avoid getting constipated: Drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in bulk such as fruits, vegetables and bran. If you have not had a bowel movement for 72 hours, take a laxative like Milk of Magnesia. You can buy it from your pharmacy without a prescription. Follow the directions on the bottle. 3

4 Problems to watch for Call your surgeon or your family doctor or go to the Toronto Western Hospital emergency department if you have any of these problems below. If you are from out of town, go to the nearest emergency department. A fever (temperature higher than 38 Celsius or 101 Fahrenheit). A lot of bleeding from the wound that does not stop after applying pressure for 10 minutes. A lot of pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine. Swelling and redness around the wound and/or yellow pus coming from the wound. Your follow-up visit If you do not have a follow-up appointment, please call your surgeon s office to make one. Doctor: Date: Time: 4

5 Special instructions for you For more information visit our website at or Visit for more health information. Contact us to provide feedback or request this brochure in a different format, such as large print or electronic formats: pfep@uhn.ca 2018 University Health Network. All rights reserved. Use this material for your information only. It does not replace advice from your doctor or other health care professional. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment. Ask your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. You may print 1 copy of this brochure for non-commercial and personal use only. Form: D-5376 Author: TWH Patient Education Committee, Day Surgery Unit and Dr. S. Hofer, Plastics Surgery Revised: 05/2018