Dr. Tope, Thank you so much for your care and concern of my father’s skin cancer… You are a wonderful and caring doctor. B.L.

Wound Care Instructions

  1. Your surgical wound will be covered by a pressure dressing. You may remove the dressing after_______ hours. Try not to get the pressure dressing wet during this time period.
  2. Rarely, your wound may begin to drain fluid or bleed within the first few hours of surgery. If this occurs, apply direct pressure to the bleeding site, over the pressure dressing, with a clean bandage or cloth. Keep constant pressure on the site for 15 minutes. Time this using a clock. Release pressure. If the wound continues to bleed, call Dr. Tope’s office at 952-746-6090.
  3. Beginning _______you may shower, but keep the bandage on the wound while you are in the shower. The bandage may get wet in the shower. Do not immerse the wound in a bath tub. Remove the bandage after showering and follow Wound Cleaning and Dressing Change Instructions
  4. If you have discomfort following surgery, take Extra Strength Tylenol or _______with food. If this does not control your discomfort, call Dr. Tope’s office at 952-746-6090. DO NOT drink alcohol or take aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naprosyn (Aleve) and indomethacin (Indocin), as these drugs thin the blood and increase the risk of post-operative bleeding. Know that aspirin is found in many pain relievers and cold medicines, such as Exedrin, Bufferin, Emprin, Anacin, and Alka-Seltzer. Supplements such as garlic, vitamin E, gingko biloba and Echinacea also thin the blood and should be avoided during wound healing.

    *If you have already been advised by your doctor to take aspirin, coumadin, or anti-platelet medications (Plavix), we will give you specific instructions regarding your use of these medications.
  5. Tissue swelling immediately after surgery is usually due to the injection of local anesthetic. This resolves within a few hours. Some swelling will occur at and around the surgical site and may last for several days due to normally increased blood flow and inflammation which support wound healing. Swelling is worst in the morning when you have been lying down all night and lessens during the day when you are upright. Swelling may be lessened further by:
    • Keeping your wound elevated above your heart, this may require that you sleep upright in a chair or on pillows
    • Applying an ice pack to the site for 10-15 minutes every hour while awake for the first 48 hours
    • Avoiding salty foods
  6. Avoid strenuous exercise, bending over, or heavy lifting for _______days. These activities increase blood pressure and may cause bleeding or rupture of sutures. Inform Dr. Tope if you expect to swim before your sutures are removed.
  7. Change the wound dressing _______daily, beginning _______hours after surgery. Make sure to clean the surgery site and change the dressing after you shampoo/shower.

Wound Care Supply List

Please ensure you have the following supplies prior to your day of surgery.

  1. Hydrogen peroxide solution
  2. Cotton swabs (q-tips)
  3. Vaseline or petroleum jelly
  4. Telfa pads or any non-stick dressing
  5. Paper tape
  6. Gauze pads (3 inches x 3 inches)
  7. Ice pack or frozen vegetables that have been placed in a zip lock bag and then wrapped in a cloth (ice in plastic should not be put directly against skin)
  8. Extra strength Tylenol (acetaminophen)

Download Wound Care Supply List.