After Your Removal Of A Head Or Neck Mass

POST OP SYMPTOMS: Usually mild to moderate pain and swelling at the surgical site for 3-4 days after surgery.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Keep head elevated for 48 hours. Use extra pillows to elevate head while sleeping.
• Apply ice pack or cold gel pack to surgical area site for the first 24-48 hours after surgery.
• No strenuous activity for 1 week.

CARE OF INCISION SITE: You may remove the bandage after 2 days.* After removing the bandage, if there are steri-strips (little tapes) on the incision, try to keep these dry. If no steri-strips are present, you may clean the incision with hydrogen peroxide and apply antibiotic ointment to the incision twice a day, as well as after showering.

*Exception: If a drain (tubing) has been placed in the incision, you may want to keep a bandage on the incision. Do not get the area wet. Your doctor will tell you when to come in to have the drain removed.

PAIN: Use pain medication as needed for discomfort.

PROBLEMS: Gross swelling, active bleeding, redness, drainage, or separation of the incision, fever above 101 degrees, increasing pain, or nausea are not usual and warrant a call to the office.

POST OP APPOINTMENT: You should have a post op appointment for 1 week after surgery. Stitches are usually removed at this time.

For questions, problems or refills, call the office at (425) 775-6651.

Pain medications require a written prescription, so call for a refill before you run out of medication.

Medication or refill requests must be made during office hours.

There is always a doctor on call for emergent problems after office hours: (425) 775-6651