Post-Operative Instructions

The following post-operative instructions apply to most surgical procedures:

  • Take regular pain relief, as instructed, following your procedure

  • If prescribed, take antibiotics and any stronger pain relief as per the instructions

  • Do not engage in any excessive physical activity for at least a week following surgery

  • Rest with your head upright to minimise swelling

  • Apply an ice pack gently to the operative site to help relieve discomfort and minimise swelling. It is normal to expect some swelling and possibly bruising following surgery, which is often worse on the 3rd and 4th day post-operatively, and may persist for up to 10 days.

  • Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks, as this reduces wound healing and increases the chance of infection and other post-operative complications

  • Avoid excessive alcohol intake

  • Follow instructions regarding eating and drinking, especially with medications (e.g. anti-inflammatories, which should be taken with food).

  • Ensure you maintain adequate oral hydration

  • Any blood thinning medications that you are regularly prescribed that have been with-held for your procedure can usually be re-started the day following surgery, provided you have no active bleeding. Your surgeon will instruct otherwise, if necessary.

For Oral Surgery:

  • Commence gentle mouth rinse with chlorhexidine mouthwash (e.g. Savacol) from the first day after your procedure, 3-4 times daily, for 30 seconds. Continue this until the wounds have healed and all sutures have dissolved. Do not rinse vigorously as this can displace a blood clot and promote bleeding

  • Gently brush your teeth as normal, but avoid brushing over any surgical wounds or sutures

  • Apply a gauze pack to the surgical site with moderate pressure if any bleeding; this should be held in place for at least 20 minutes

  • Do not blow your nose firmly, if advised against this (sinus precautions)

  • Take care when eating, to avoid biting or chewing your lips, tongue or cheeks

  • Adhere to a soft diet for at least 3 days, or longer if instructed. A soft diet means food that can be gently broken up without chewing. You may wish to start with pureed consistency (e.g. yoghurt, custard) and gradually progress back to a normal diet as you heal through the recovery period

  • Avoid especially hot food or fluids for 2 days, as this can promote bleeding

  • A small amount of bleeding or blood-staining of saliva is expected following oral surgery.

For Skin Cancer Surgery and Facial Aesthetic Surgery:

  • Keep your surgical wounds clean and dry for 48 hours, unless otherwise instructed. After this you may get your wound wet in the shower (but avoiding any scrubbing or direct washing), and gently pat dry thereafter.

  • Gently clean any surgical incisions on the skin twice daily with gauze and sterile saline, before re-applying chlorsig ointment.

  • Any crusting or dried blood should be gently removed by applying a clean gauze soaked in saline for 5 minutes to soften and loosen, before re-applying ointment as instructed

  • In the event of any bleeding or ooze from the wound, apply a clean gauze and moderate pressure to the wound for 10 minutes, but avoid excessive pressure especially to any skin flap, dressing or splint. A small amount of bleeding from the wound is normal following most facial surgery procedures. Cooling of the wound with an ice-pack can also help to slow bleeding.

  • Avoid any excessively dusty or dirty environments which may contaminate your wound. If necessary, your wound may be covered with a dressing adhering only to the surrounding skin

  • Leave any drains, splints and sutures in place until your post-operative review, unless otherwise advised. You may experience some ooze from a surgical drain which is normal; place a gauze pack gently over the drain to absorb any excess bleeding.

Following General Anaesthetic or Sedation:

  • Have a responsible adult available who can assist you with transport home and, if necessary, to seek urgent attention if required

  • Arrange for additional support for childcare or care of other family members or dependents

For 24 hours following General Anaesthetic or Sedation, do not:

  • Drive or operate heavy machinery

  • Go to work

  • Sign any legal or important documents

For any post-operative issues, if within working hours please contact our clinic in the first instance. For any urgent post-operative issues after-hours, please contact with the details supplied following your procedure. In the event that you have any serious or life-threatening concerns post-operatively and are unable to contact a member of our team, please contact 000 or proceed to your nearest emergency department