Postoperative Care of Mohs Surgery - Excisions

• Leave the initial dressing on for 48 hours or as instructed and keep it dry.
• If there is any bleeding, apply firm, CONTINUOUS pressure for 20 minutes to the area. If this does not stop the bleeding, call the office or report to an emergency room.
• After 48 hours, you may shower with the dressing in place, then remove. Apply Polysporin ointment and a loose dressing using a Band-Aid or Telfa (nonstick pad) and paper tape.
• Remember to keep the surgery site protected with antibiotic ointment (i.e., Polysporin or Bacitracin). Do this once or twice daily, washing your hands before applying the ointment each time.
• Do not take any aspirin or aspirin-containing products for several days after the surgery UNLESS prescribed by your doctor. Try to avoid alcohol.
• If your surgery was involving your head or face, you should sleep with you head elevated on two pillows. If your surgery involved any of your extremities (arms, hands, legs, feet), try to elevate the
  area as much as possible.
• Do not do any exercise vigorous enough to cause profuse sweating. This can put the stitches under additional stress and interfere with proper healing.
• No heavy lifting or bending from the waist as long as the sutures are in place.
• You may apply an ice pack around the wound, if necessary, for 20 minutes three or four times during the first 24 hours. 
• If any bleeding, drainage, redness, opening of the wound, or swelling occurs, please notify us.

For Questions or Emergency Care:
Call the office at 601-984-5160. You may need to speak with the doctor on-call.

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