Post-Op Instructions for Your Skin Cancer Treatment

Post-Operative Care

1. Do nothing to the surgical site for the first 24 hours and then refer to the instructions for incision care.
   
   
2. You may bathe the day after surgery. Showering is usually permitted 2 days after surgery. Do not let the force of the shower beat directly on your face.
   
   
3. Sutures will be removed 5-7 days after surgery. Often Steri-strips will be applied following suture removal. The physician will remove the Steri-strips in 1 week or instruct you to remove them.
   
   
4. Take only the prescribed medication or Tylenol for pain control. Do not take aspirin or aspirin containing products for pain.
   
   
5. Avoid direct sun for 6 months. Wear sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection (SPF 15).

Care Instructions for Incisions

1. Cleanse suture lines with hydrogen peroxide solution (mix 1 part water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide) and Q-tips. Dip the Q-tip in the peroxide solution and gently roll it across the suture line to remove dried blood. You will need several Q-tips each time you do this.
   
   
2. Take a dry Q-tip and gently roll it across suture line to remove foam from peroxide and drainage. Repeat steps 1 and 2 as needed to remove dried blood completely.
   
   
3. After suture line is thoroughly cleaned, apply a very small amount of Bacitracin Ointment over suture line.
   
   
4. Repeat this procedure 2-3 times per day. By doing this, you will minimize your risk of infection and reduce the formation of scar tissue, giving a better cosmetic result.
   
   
5. Dr. Pryor asks that you clean the incisions in this manner until all sutures are removed.  After the sutures are removed on day 5-10 you will be asked to use only Aquaphor ointment to the incisions twice daily for a further two weeks.

Care instructions for a Pedicled Flap Procedure

1. If you have undergone a pedicled flap procedure with either a forehead flap or nasolabial flap you will care for the incisions and suture lines as described above.
   
   
2. In addition, it is common for Dr. Pryor to prescribe a xeroform dressing (yellow ointment bandage) to be placed circumferentially (around in a circle) the pedicle to help healing and maintain moisture to the wound site.
   
   
3. This will be changed daily starting 24 hours after your procedure. Please continue this dressing change until the pedicle flap inset procedure (2nd surgery) is completed in 3 weeks time.
   
   
4. If you have any questions or concerns please call Dr. Pryor or the office at 480-423-3150.