How should I care for my incisions after plastic or skin cancer surgery?
Post-operative care is very important part of a successful plastic surgery. When patients decide to have a plastic surgery or a skin cancer procedure, many often overlook the journey after the surgical procedure.
Wound breakdown is a potential risk with any surgery I perform. Constant movement within the operated areas and the effect on the delicate position of the incisions (arm pit, groin), may cause a suture to come loose or a small area of the incision to separate. Wound breakdowns typically occur in patients who are not following post-op instructions within the first six weeks of surgery, such as reducing movement and resting. They can also be caused by creating tension on the wound from heavy lifting, pulling or straining. The incision scar may become wider after a wound breakdown.
While there is no fool-proof way of preventing infection after the plastic surgery procedure, there are many precautions you can take:
1. keeping the incision clean and dry until the first appointment after the surgery which is ALWAYS WITH ME
2. NO smoking or vaping
3. NO alcohol, as alcohol thins your blood and can slow down your body’s healing process.
I provide ALL my patients with very detailed post operative instructions, and I usually do sense if they don’t follow them. Patients need to accept and agree to following my instructions which I provide during the first consultation-I consider them as a very important part of decision making process.
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