Open Excision or Biopsy Procedure
Postoperative Instructions

Incision Care

Your incision has been closed using one of two methods. Please follow the specific instructions below that apply to your surgery:

OR

General Incision Guidelines (Applies to All Closures)

• Avoid Soaking: Do not submerge the incision in a pool, hot tub, or bath for 3 weeks after surgery to allow the area to fully heal.
• Normal Appearance: The skin at the edge of the incision may be slightly red or raised—this is normal. You may also develop a dark red or purple bruise around the incision; this is due to minor oozing from tiny blood vessels and will resolve on its own.
• Dressings & Drainage: Keeping the incision covered is recommended only if the area is actively draining, in order to protect your clothing. Some drainage (clear or red-tinged) is normal. If drainage is excessive, use a small piece of gauze.
• Treatments: Antibiotic creams and other skin treatments are generally not recommended unless explicitly prescribed.

Drain Care (If Applicable)

A small plastic drain may be used after surgery to prevent sterile fluid or blood from accumulating under the skin. This drain is attached to a bulb device that provides constant low-level suction.

• The collection bulb must be emptied and recharged several times per day (your nurse should review this with you prior to discharge).
• After 2 days, you may remove the dressing over the drain and wash the drain site along with your incision.
• You may be prescribed an antibiotic to take while the drain is in place to prevent infection.
• The drain is typically removed at your first follow-up appointment.

Activity & Return to Work

Walking, jogging, driving, and climbing stairs are encouraged as long as they do not cause significant discomfort. Depending on the location of your incision, certain activities that put direct tension or stress on the sutures may be discouraged.

You may return to work when you feel able to perform your duties without significant pain, provided specific restrictions are followed. You do not need to wait until your post-op visit. If you need a work release note, please contact our office and we can fax it to you or your employer.

Pain Control

You have been given a prescription for a narcotic pain medicine to use only as needed for immediate postoperative pain. You should also use over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) unless explicitly instructed otherwise.

Preventing Constipation: To counter the constipating effects of narcotic pain medications, we recommend using over-the-counter stool softeners (e.g., Colace, Senokot, Milk of Magnesia) or mild laxatives. Suppositories and enemas may also be used. Very strong laxatives (e.g., Miralax, GoLytely) are generally not recommended during recovery.