(keep in mind)

What to expect after your surgery or procedure

You may feel some discomfort following surgery, which generally can be controlled with medication. Recovery varies by individual. owever, your post!op appointment, scheduled for approximately one to "# days after surgery, is the best time to discuss your healing and recovery with your physician and nurse. $uestions and %nswers %bout Wound ealing $& ow does a wound heal' %& % wound (either surgically created or through trauma) goes through three phases of healing& inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling.

1.(nflammatory )hase * +he first phase, the inflammatory phase, begins immediately after the wound is
created, and lasts approximately two to six days. ,uring this phase some warmth, redness, swelling and pain will surround the surgical site. -ometimes it takes some .udgment or examination of the wound by your care team to tell how much swelling and redness is /0. )urulent, foul!smelling discharge, increasing pain, redness and swelling may indicate infection. (t is important to call your )lastic 1 Reconstructive -urgery care team if you have a concern& (234) 225!465".

2.)roliferative )hase *+he proliferative phase takes place next, and lasts for about three to four weeks. ,uring
this phase, collagen (scar) is being produced to pull the edges of the wound together. +his can cause visible thickening of the wound edges, and new red bumps called granulation tissue may be visible in the shrinking wound. -ometimes there is a minor amount of yellowish drainage. % little bit of pain, tightness, pulling or tenderness is often present in the wound too. +hose minor symptoms should be stable or steadily improving daily. -ometimes at this stage of healing patients experience sharp, shooting pains in and around the tissue that was operated on. (n most cases this represents a return of nerve sensation to the operated area, and these sensations should subside in fre7uency and intensity with time. (f you have 7uestions or concerns about what you8re experiencing, please discuss them with us.

3.Remodeling )hase * +he maturation, or remodeling phase, is the final stage of healing. /ver a period of six
months to several years 9remodeling9 begins to break down the excess collagen, changing a thick, red, raised scar to a thin, flat, white scar. $& What ( can do to heal well' %& % postoperative care plan is always discussed with you both before and after your operation.

:imiting physical activity for the first two weeks after all surgical procedures is very important. * /verexertion
can increase blood pressure and result in bleeding and excessive swelling. (f you had general anesthesia, it is not unusual to experience increased fatigue postoperatively when performing normal daily activities. (t can take several weeks to return to your pre!surgical level of energy. +his is normal; and it8s important to rest fre7uently if you feel the need. %fter the first two weeks you can start to resume your normal activities at your provider8s direction. <iving your body the time and rest it needs to recover will help facilitate normal healing.

=lean the Wound * <entle cleansing by letting the shower spray rinse the incision helps reduce the risk of
infection by reducing local drainage and debris. % dressing may also help protect the incision. ,iscuss this with your care team.

>levation and =ompression * >xcessive swelling or edema of the tissues postoperatively prolongs healing,
which can result in increased scar tissue formation. >levating the operated area helps inflammatory fluids leave the surgical area naturally. =ompression garments (if prescribed) can help speed healing and minimi?e bruising by pushing excess fluid out of the tissue surrounding the wound. -upport garments can reduce the tension on a wound, lessening the chances of a wound pulling apart or stimulating your body to produce more scar tissue. (f a support garment is prescribed, it is important to wear it as directed to minimi?e the chance of delayed healing or excessive scar tissue formation.

@assage and +ouch * -kin is a living fabric. +he scar that forms in the skin after surgery or wounding can
bind or trap the skin to the deeper tissues, making the scar look visible or feel uncomfortable. %pproximately four weeks after surgery, we usually advise regular, gentle massage to help 9unstick9 the scar from the surrounding tissues. (f needed, the use of scar care products, such as silicone scar pads, will be recommended /ther +hings to elp Wound ealing&

-top -moking * -moking (or nicotine in any form including gum, patches, chewing tobacco and second!hand
smoke) causes the blood vessels to constrict and decreases the delivery of oxygen to the healing tissues. +his can impair wound healing or even lead to a breakdown of skin and deeper tissue, creating an open wound that will re7uire weeks, and sometimes months, of care and dressing changes. (f you are interested in resources to assist you withsmoking cessation, we will be happy to provide you with information.

%void -un >xposure * (ncisions exposed to the sun or tanning beds during the first year after an operation
can cause newly forming scars to darkening and thicken, sometimes permanently. %fter your incision is fully healed, you may start to apply sun block with a minimum -)A 53 to the healing site and newly forming scars. +here are some lines of clothing that offer additional sun protection, including swimsuits.

<ood Butrition * >ating the right foods in a balanced diet is important for proper wound healing. -urgery
imposes extra energy needs on your body. (t is sometimes advisable to have a conversation about nutrition with your primary care provider or other health care practitioner prior to surgery to discuss ways to optimi?e your healing potential. -ome vitamins and natural remedies have aspirin!like, blood!thinning side effects, or may increase the sedative effects of anesthesia. /ur general advice is to stop all herbal supplements "# days prior to surgery, so please discuss with us all vitamin and herbal supplements you take. /ther factors that can interfere with wound healing after surgery include excessive movement (can cause swelling which interferes with scar formation needed to hold the wound together), steroids (can thin the skin and slow healing), alcohol (thins the blood, slows healing, and increases bruising), stress (can suppress the immune system and hormone levels affecting your healing potential) and diabetes (high blood sugar levels impair healing). -ome healing factors you can control (stop smoking), and some you cannot (younger people heal 7uicker than older people). (t is important to discuss with us any factors that may affect how you heal, and any changes you may need to make now to give your wounds the best chance at healing without complications. (f you have other 7uestions about wound healing, call your )lastic 1 Reconstructive -urgery care team at (234) 225!465".

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