Post-Operative Care

Most wounds will ooze a small amount of blood in the first few days. Rarely does significant bleeding occur following surgery. If it does happen, lie down and place steady firm pressure over the bandage as close as possible to the area from which the blood is oozing. Apply firm, continuous pressure for 20 minutes. Do not lift the bandage to check on the bleeding. If the bleeding occurs in an extremity (arm or leg), elevate the extremity above the heart and apply pressure. If the bleeding persists after 20 minutes of steady pressure, you should contact Dr. Patel. If you are unable to reach us, go to the nearest emergency room.

Usually the surgery wounds heal very nicely. Frequently we are able to close the wounds with sutures, which usually give excellent cosmetic results. Other wounds are allowed to heal on their own. These too, usually heal very nicely over a period of several weeks to a couple of months. Infrequently, wounds will require plastic surgery to obtain an optimal cosmetic result. Each case is highly individualized, depending on the location of the tumor, its size and that particular patient’s preference. Smoking, diabetes and certain drugs slow wound healing and may interfere with the final result. Wounds remodel themselves continuously. The most significant change in wounds occurs in the first six to 12 months.

If the wound is closed with sutures, it will be important that you place antibiotic ointment over the suture line. Do not get the wound wet! After the first 24-48 hours, the bandage may be taken off the wound. If purulent or foul-smelling drainage oozes from the wound, you should call our office. Most wounds can get wet after 72 hours. Stopping smoking or a significant decrease in smoking will improve results.

If the wound is allowed to heal by itself (granulate) the dressing must be changed every day until the wound is completely healed. All wounds normally drain and dressings are changed daily to rid the wound of such drainage and to keep the area clean. Wound care instructions will be given to you by the nurse at the end of the surgery and are repeated at the beginning of this pamphlet. Open wounds may get wet after 24-48 hours.

Wounds that are allowed to granulate will usually heal in four to eight weeks. When healing is advanced, you may stop the daily dressings. Wounds that are closed by sutures are healed by the time the sutures are removed at one to two weeks. It is important to note, however, that these wounds are still weak and could be separated if placed under any tension. All wounds will remain red and somewhat lumpy for two to 12 months following surgery.

You may experience a sensation of tightness (or drawing) as the wound heals, but this is normal. Some patients will develop periodic shooting sensations in the wound, which also stop with time. After several months, you will feel this less and less. Frequently, tumors involve nerves and it may take up to a year or two before feeling returns to normal or near normal. Sometimes the area stays numb permanently. Only time will tell.

A follow up period of observation for at least five years is essential after the wound has healed. Our practice is to have patients return to their referring physicians for yearly visits. Patients initially seen in our office will return here. Should there be any recurrence of the skin cancer after the surgery, it may be detected at once and treated. Experience has shown that if there is a recurrence, it usually will be within two years following surgery. Studies have shown that once you develop a skin cancer, there is a significant possibility that you will develop others in years ahead. We recommend that you be seen at least once a year for the rest of your life by a dermatologist so that he/she may determine whether you have developed any new skin cancers. Also, should you notice any suspicious areas on your skin, it is best to check with your referring physician to see if a biopsy is necessary.

No, not entirely. We do not think that sunshine will be harmful to you as long as you provide yourself with adequate protection, avoid sun burning and use discretion. As mentioned earlier, sunlight is the main contributing factor in the development of skin cancers and patients who have developed one skin cancer often will develop more at a later time. Therefore, in the future, when you go into the sun, we recommend that you liberally apply a sunscreen/sunblock with protection factor of at least 30 with zinc or titanium dioxide to all exposed areas, including the ears. Wear a broad-brimmed hat. Avoid midday sun.