After 24 hours you may remove the dressing. The suture line should be cleansed daily with warm soap and tap water. Gently loosen any crusts with a cotton swab. You may shower after the initial dressing is removed and allow the wound to get wet; however, do not let a forceful stream hit the wound directly. After cleansing, apply Vaseline ointment over the suture line followed by non-stick dressing and tape or bandaid. It is important to keep the wound covered (changing dressing once a day) until you return to the office to have the sutures removed. It is best if a scab is not allowed to form over the wound.

Postoperative pain is usually minimal. Extra-strength Tylenol, 2 tablets every 4 hours, is usually sufficient. Do not take aspirin, Motrin or Advil. Extreme pain may be a sign of bleeding or infection. If this occurs, call the office.

The dressing placed on your wound is a pressure dressing that helps prevent bleeding; however, blood pressure elevation and physical activity can lead to bleeding. It is important to relax and limit your activity for the first 48 hours. If bleeding soaks the dressing, apply firm, steady pressure for 15 minutes, uninterrupted without lifting. This is usually adequate treatment. If bleeding still persists, repeat the 15 minutes of firm pressure. Call the office if bleeding still persists.

There may be swelling around the wound, especially at surgery sites near the eyes. The area may remain numb for several weeks, even months. You may also experience periodic sharp pains near the wound as it heals. The suture line will be dark pink at first and the edges of the wound will be reddened. This will lighten up day by day and the site will become less tender. If the wound becomes increasingly tender, warm, swollen, drains a pus-like substance or if you develop a fever or chills, please call our office immediately at 704-321-3376. If you call after hours, our auto attendant will prompt you to press 6. Dr. Darst will then be paged to return your call.