Skip to Content
UW Health SMPH

Excision of a Mole or Lesion (Adult) HF#4760

Before Surgery

 

  • Plan to take off work the day of surgery.
  • Do household and outdoor chores ahead of time, or make plans for someone to help you for a day or so.
  • Plan things that do not require a lot of standing or lifting. 
  • Have meals ready that are easy to prepare.
  • Plan for someone to help with your children the day of surgery, if needed.

 

After Surgery

 

  • You will be told about showering before you go home.
  • Wear loose fitting clothing for a few days.
  • Resume your normal routine when you feel ready.
  • Do not drive while you are taking narcotic pain medicine.
  • Do not do any strenuous activity or exercise until your doctor says you can.
  • Limit your lifting to less than 20 pounds for a week or until your doctor tells you differently.
  • Small areas of bruising at your incision site are normal.
  • Check your incision daily for signs and symptoms of infection: increased redness or swelling, red or hot incision, foul smelling drainage, or a fever over 100°F.
  • Plan to visit your doctor in about one week.

 

Call Your Doctor

 

  • Fever over 100°F for 2 readings taken 4 hours apart
  • Excessive swelling
  • Increased redness at incision site
  • Abnormal drainage like bleeding or pus from incision
  • Increase in pain

 

Phone Numbers

 

Your doctor’s office number is (608) ___________, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

 

After hours and weekends, the clinic number will give you the hospital paging operator.  Ask for plastic surgery resident on-call.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

Toll free Hospital Number:  (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: 07/27/2011

Copyright © 07/27/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4760

Print Health Fact For You