Skin Graft (click here for a pdf version)

No strenuous activity for 48 hours.
Resume moderate activity after 48 hours.
No heavy exercising until you are seen for your follow up in one week.
No aspirin or other over the counter products that contain aspirin and other blood thinners for 48 hours. Take Tylenol or aspirin free pain relievers as needed for discomfort.
Continue taking all prescribed medication.
No alcoholic beverages for 48 hours
Leave the bandage in place until you come in for follow up in one week. If the bandage becomes blood tinged or loose, reinforce it with gauze and tape.
Keep the bandage dry. Wash around it carefully.
If the tape becomes soiled or starts to come off, reinforce it with additional paper tape.
Do not smoke for 3 weeks; smoking is detrimental to wound healing and may cause the graft to die.
Avoid prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures for 3 weeks.
It is normal to have swelling and bruising around the surgical site. The bruising will fade in approximately 10-14 days. Elevate the area to reduce swelling.
Numbness, itchiness and sensitivity to temperature changes can occur after surgery and may take up to 18 months to normalize.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:

Bleeding - If this occurs do the following:

Leave the bandage in place.
Use rolled up gauze or a clean cloth to apply direct pressure over the bandage for 20 minutes straight.
Reapply pressure for an additional 20 minutes if necessary.
Call the office or go to the nearest emergency room if pressure fails to stop the bleeding.
Use additional gauze and tape to reinforce the bandage once the bleeding has stopped.

Pain

Post operative pain should slowly get better, never worse.
A severe increase in pain may indicate a problem. Call the office if this occurs