Caring for your Open Wounds

• No strenuous activity for 48 hours
• No aspirin or other over the counter products that contain aspirin and other blood thinners for 48 hours. Take Tylenow or aspirin free pain relievers as needed for discomfort.
• Continue taking all prescribed medication
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 48 hours.
• Keep the pressure bandage in place for 24 hours. If the bandage becomes blood tinged or loose, reinforce it with gauze and tape
• Remove bandage in 24 hours and begin wound care as follows:
• Clean area with tap water using a Q-tip or gauze pad, (shower/bathe normally)
• Dry wound with Q-tip or gauze pad
• Apply Polysporin or Bacitracin Ointment with a Q-tip *Do NOT use Neosporin ointment*
• Cover the wound with a bandaid or nonstick gauze pad and paper tape
• Repeat wound care once a day until wound is completely healed
• It is an old wives tale that a wound heals better when it is exposed to air and allowed to dry out. The wound will heal faster with a better cosmetic result if it is kept moist with ointment and covered with a bandage.

Supplies Needed:
Q-tips or gauze pads
Polysporin or Bacitracin Ointment
Bandaids or nonstick gauze pads and paper tape

– To order 3M micropore tan paper tape call: 1-800-321-0591

Bleeding

1. Used rolled up gauze or a clean cloth to apply direct pressure over the bandage for 20 minutes
2. Reapply pressure for an additional 20 minutes if necessary
3. Call the office or go to the nearest emergency room if pressure fails to stop the bleeding
4. Use additional gauze and tape to reinforce bandage once the bleeding has stopped
5. Begin wound care 24 hours after the surgery as directed

Wound Healing

1. One week after surgery a pink/red halo will form around the outside of the wound. This is new skin.
2. The center of the wound will appear yellowish white and produce some drainage
3. The pink halo will slowly migrate in toward the center of the wound until the wound is covered with new shiny pink skin
4. There will be no more drainage when the wound is completely healed
5. It will take six months to one year for the redness to fade
6. The scar may be itchy, tight and sensitive to extreme temperatures for a year after the surgery
7. Massaging the area several times a day for several minutes after the wound is completely healed will help the scar soften and normalize faster.

In case of emergency:

Shadyside Office 412-681-9400
South Hills Office 412-466-9400