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UW Health SMPH

Scar Revision

Before Surgery

  • Discuss with your doctor how long you will need to be off work.
  • Have meals ready that are easy to prepare.
  • Plan to have someone help care for your children for a day, if needed.
After Surgery
  • You will be told how to care for your incision and when you can shower.
  • Wear loose comfortable clothing for a few days.
  • Plan for rest, but also move around the house as much as you can.  You can resume your normal routine when you feel ready.
  • You should not do any strenuous exercise until you see your doctor at your first clinic visit.
  • Limit your lifting to less than 20 pounds for 1-2 weeks or until your doctor tells you.
  • Check your incision daily for signs of infection: increased redness or swelling, red or hot incision, foul-smelling drainage, or fever over 101.4°F.
  • You should not drive while you are taking narcotic pain medicine.
  • Wear sun block over the scar when it is healed. 
  • Plan to visit your doctor in about one week.
When to Call Your Doctor
  • Fever over 101.4°F for 2 readings taken 4 hours apart
  • Excess swelling
  • Increased redness at the incision site
  • Bleeding or pus from the incision
  • Increased pain

Your doctor’s office phone number is (608) 263-7502, 8:00 – 4:30, week days.

 

After hours, nights, weekends, and holidays, this number will be answered by the paging operator.  Ask for the plastic surgery resident on call.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live outside the area, call toll-free at 1-800-323-8942.

 



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 07/26/2011

Copyright © 07/26/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #4759

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