(Outpatient Surgical Facility)
First Week After Surgery
- Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated 45 degrees. Use a recliner, wedge pillow, or multiple pillows.
- Apply cool compresses for 15–20 minutes every hour while awake for the first 3 days.
- Do not use ice directly on the skin.
- Get up slowly and walk slowly but regularly with assistance to promote circulation.
- Avoid bending, straining, or lifting.
- You may feel weak and dehydrated, so be careful of falling. Stay hydrated.
- You may shower 48–72 hours after surgery, but be careful of falling. No bathing.
- Use gentle pressure and lukewarm water. Do not rub incisions. Do not use combs or brushes around the incision.
Medications
- Take antibiotics as prescribed until finished. Notify the office if you have any reactions.
- Use prescribed pain medication or Tylenol if pain is mild.
- Do not exceed 4,000 mg of Tylenol in 24 hours.
- Use your nausea medication as needed.
- Begin stool softener when taking narcotic pain medication. Do not force or strain during bowel movements.
- Take your Medrol steroid dose pack as instructed.
Incision Care
- Unless directed otherwise, remove your pressure wrap from the donor site the next afternoon after surgery.
- Do not remove Steri-Strips or clear Tegaderm tape that may be covering the incisions.
- For all other incisions, or if tape falls off, clean gently with a Q-tip dipped in diluted hydrogen peroxide 3–4 times a day.
- “Roll the Q-tip.” Do not scrub.
- Mix half peroxide with half water in the cap, then discard excess.
- Use HOCL (Hypochlorous Acid) spray on skin and incisions 3 times a day as an antiseptic.
- Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment or Vaseline ointment as directed 3–4 times a day very gently to open incisions.
- Do not pick or pull at incisions.
- Sutures are typically dissolvable or removed 6–12 days after surgery.
- Protect skin and incisions from sun exposure. Use a large hat and loose clothing.
- Do not apply ice directly to the skin, as you may be numb and may cause a frostbite burn.
- Do not bathe or get into a pool or jacuzzi.
- Do not apply makeup to incisions.
Activity and Recovery
- Avoid lifting over 20 pounds for 2 weeks.
- Most patients return to work in 1–2 weeks.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 3–4 weeks.
- Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medication.
Normal Symptoms
- Swelling and bruising.
- Mild bleeding or drainage.
- Mild asymmetries.
- Noticeable incisions.
- Mild itching.
- Mild lumps and bumps or divots.
Notify Your Doctor Immediately If You Experience
- Fever greater than 101°F.
- Severe or worsening pain or swelling.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Rash, severe itching, or blisters.
- Call 911 if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain.