Download Introduction You have had skin surgery today to remove or take a

Introduction
You have had skin surgery today
to remove or take a sample of
your skin lesion. This will help
you and your doctor in the
management of your skin
problem. Although the likelihood
of future problems is small, the
following may occur:
Pain
This is rarely severe but may
occur after the local anaesthetic
has worn off. Any discomfort
should respond to paracetamol
taken in normal doses.
Avoid aspirin or non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory preparations
(such as ibuprofen) for pain relief.
These may increase the chance
of bleeding at your wound site.
(Please note: if you need to take
aspirin or non-steroidal antiinflammatories regularly, do not
stop unless advised to do so by
your GP or dermatologist).
Swelling
This is rarely severe and should
settle down during the following
day.
If swelling is severe or persistent,
you should seek advice from your
dermatologist or GP.
Bleeding and bruising
This should settle down over a few
days.
There is an increased chance
bleeding for those patients taking
aspirin or warfarin.
Stitches
If you have had stitches, these
may need to be removed by your
GP’s practice nurse. As a general
rule:
stitches on the face come
out after five days,
on the arm, leg or trunk
seven to ten days
on the back after 14 days.
Apply firm continuous
pressure over the wound site
for 20 minutes if there is
bleeding.
Contact the practice nurse at your
GP’s surgery after your operation
for an appointment.
If excessive bleeding does
not settle after 20 minutes,
seek further medical advice
from the dermatology clinic
or your GP immediately.
Please note that for bigger
procedures there may be buried
stitches under the skin surface.
These do not need to be removed
as the body dissolves them
gradually.
Infection
This is uncommon but possible
after surgery to the skin.
If the site of the operation feels hot,
looks increasingly red, becomes
increasingly painful or discharges
pus, you should seek medical
advice as soon as possible.
You may require an antibiotic if an
infection develops.
In some cases, small portions of
these dissolved stitches are
discharged through the
developing scar.
There is no need to try and pull
these out, they will come away
naturally.
Scar formation
Once healed the scar may initially
be red and slightly raised. After six
to twelve months scars usually settle
down to leave a flat pale mark.
General
After your operation, it is advisable
to go home and rest.
You may need to reduce exercise
and heavy lifting for a few weeks
after your operation depending on
the site of your wound. This will
have been discussed at the time of
your procedure. Please ask for
advice if you are not sure.
Smoking delays healing and we
advise that you do not smoke.
Excess alcohol can encourage
bleeding and should also be
avoided.
Results
You will receive notification of your
results as soon as they are
available, generally by letter but
occasionally by telephone.
Please contact us if you have any
queries on 01625 661051 or
663675.
Comments, compliments or
complaints
We welcome any suggestions you have
about the quality of our care and our
services.
Contact us:
Freephone:
0800 1613997
Phone:
01625 661449
Textphone:
01625 663723
Customer Care, Reception,
Macclesfield District General Hospital,
Victoria Road, SK10 3BL
After Skin
Surgery
Patient Information
For large print, audio, Braille
version or translation contact the
Communications and Engagement
Team on 0800 195 494.
Admission information
The trust accepts no responsibility for the loss
of, or damage to, personal property of any kind,
in whatever way the loss or damage may occur,
unless deposited for safe custody.
Please leave valuables at home. If you need to
bring personal items that are expensive, for
example micro hearing aids, please be aware
that you do so at your own risk
NHS Direct (part of NHS
Choices) is a 24 hr phone
advice service providing
confidential health advice and
information. Phone: 0845 4647
(Textphone 0845 606 46 47)
Dermatology Dept
Phone: 01625 661051 or 663675
Macclesfield District General
Hospital
www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk
www.nhs.uk
East Cheshire NHS Trust is committed to ensuring
that patients and staff will always
be treated with dignity and respect. There will be no
age, disability, gender, race,
sexual orientation or
religious discrimination.
@eastcheshirenhs
Ref: 10002 Review: 08/2015