Pre/Post-Op Instructions

Avoid smoking tobacco before and after the surgery.
Eat a normal breakfast/lunch before surgery. You may also bring a snack or food to the clinic.
Perhaps bring a book to pass the time.
Do not apply any makeup the day of surgery.
Report any changes in your health, including fever, to our office prior to the surgery.
Continue your medications as prescribed and bring a list of the current medications you are taking.
You will wait about 60-90 minutes in a comfortable room while the tissue is processed to ensure the skin cancer is completely removed before closing the skin defect. Depending on the number of stages before the cancer is completely removed determines the length of time along with the time to repair the defect. As a result, we encourage you to bring some warm clothing, in case you get cold, a snack to eat, and perhaps a book to help pass the time.

You will have a scar at the area of procedure. Immediately after the surgery, you will experience pain, swelling, and possibly bleeding. This will improve dramatically over the next 5-7 days.
Bruising and swelling is common, especially if on a blood-thinner.
Avoid strenuous physical activity for 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the size and location.
Avoid sun-exposure and apply sunscreen to the site to avoid discoloration of the scar for 6-8 weeks after surgery.
You may remove the surgical dressing 24 to 36 hours after the procedure OR as directed.
Apply Vaseline and a band aid to the surgical site. Avoid picking the scabs off.
Wear a bandage on the area for 10- 14 days or as directed.
You may have numbness around the surgical site, which may take months to improve. ln rare instances, the numbness may remain.
Complete healing of the scar takes 3-12 months.
Swelling or lumpiness at the site will occur. lf a graft was not performed, then you may gently massage the area starting 6 weeks after surgery for 1-2 minutes a day for 1 week to help speed resolution.

Pre-Op / Post-Op Instructions