Plastic Surgery Instructions (Skin Graft):
-Do not get your surgical sites wet.
-Ok to take a shower or bath if you can safely keep your surgical sites from getting wet. Otherwise, sponge bathe.
-Keep the dressings in place, Dr. DePerro will do the first dressing change.
-Try to limit activity in the body area or limb where the skin graft is located.
-Avoid direct pressure or shearing forces on the recipient site.
-The donor site usually hurts more than the recipient site, this is normal.
-You may have some oozing from the donor site, this is normal. You can reinforce the dressing with 4×4’s, gauze pads, or ABD’s as needed.
-The donor site dressing is usually harder to keep in place than the recipient site.
-You may see some shadowing or blood on the donor site dressing. This is normal and is only a problem if there are signs of active bleeding.
-Smoking causes multiple wound healing complications. It is very important that you do not smoke, and you are not around people that smoke for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as if you were to smoke.
-Take your pain medication with food (a few crackers are ok) to help prevent nausea. -Pain medications can cause constipation. Take a gentle over the counter laxative (Milk of Magnesia, Colace, or Dulcolax) if you feel constipated.
-Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen for at least 2 weeks following surgery unless specifically instructed. This can lead to bleeding issues.
-Avoid exposing the scars to the sun for at least 6 to 12 months. When going outside, it is recommended that you use SPF 30 or greater over your surgical sites. All incisions will be extremely sensitive during the healing phase.