Mohs or Excision Surgery

This information provides general guidelines. Please follow the recommendations notated on your discharge instructions page that was handed to you by the nurse. If you are unsure or have further questions about your aftercare, please contact our nursing staff. Afterhours emergency phone number: (818) 907-7546.

What to avoid:

• DO NOT drink any alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after your procedure.
• Avoid activity that increases your heart rate or blood pressure above resting for the number of days indicated on your discharge instructions page.
• Avoid physical activity that places any tension on the wound for a minimum of 3 weeks.

CALL YOU DOCTOR AND GO TO A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM IF YOU EXPERIENCE THESE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS:

• An increase in pain after the first 48 hours.
• Excessive bleeding. A small amount of bleeding may appear after any procedure.
• Persistent, severe pain or pain that is not eliminated by Tylenol or your prescription.
• Chills or fever, redness, swelling, or drainage from your surgical area.

Post operative wound care:

(If you do not have Steri-strips, follow -Daily Wound Care- steps):

• Leave the surgical dressing in place for the number of hours indicated on your discharge instructions page. You will then remove the Steri-strips (small tapes) that are covering the stitches, leave them in place until they fall off ,usually 3-21 days, follow the instructions for wound care (below) once the Steri-strips fall off.

Bathing:

• Showering is permitted after the number of hours indicated on your discharge instructions page. Avoid submerging the wound in water for 3 weeks.

Daily wound care:

*AFTER REMOVING DRESSING*

• Clean wound daily with mild soapy water (shower is ok) – pat dry.
• Apply PETROLEUM JELLY or antibacterial ointment (Bacitracin or Polysporin) 2-3 times a day using Q-Tips for the amount of time indicated on your discharge instructions page.
• DO NOT apply Neosporin, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
• DO NOT let wound dry out or form a hard scab.
• You may cover the wound with Telfa (non-stick dressing) or Band-Aid, but this is optional.
• Repeat these steps at least twice a day.
• Call the office if any unusual swelling, redness bleeding or drainage occurs, or if redness and pain worsen from day to day after surgery – this could be a sign of infection. If you do not receive a call back from the physician within ONE HOUR or if you suspect an infection, please go to your nearest HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT for immediate evaluation and treatment.

Bleeding:

• If bleeding occurs, apply 20 minutes of CONSTANT PRESSURE, if bleeding continues, apply 20 more minutes of constant pressure. If bleeding continues, call our office or visit the emergency room.

Pain:

• Use Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain, as directed by your doctor. Do not exceed the maximum recommended dosage as listed by the manufacturer.
• DO NOT take aspirin, aspirin products, or ibuprofen or other non acetaminophen pain relievers for 10 days.

Medications:

• Resume normal prescription schedule.
• Take all pain medication with food.
• Finish all antibiotic prescriptions until empty or otherwise instructed.
• Your discharge instructions page indicates if you have been given prescriptions.