Wide excision on arm; what home care needed?

Probably best to just call your doc.  I can't believe they didn't supply written directions.

Probably best to just call your doc.  I can't believe they didn't supply written directions.

Probably best to just call your doc.  I can't believe they didn't supply written directions.

I would call your doctor or nurse. They should have sent written instructions home with you. When I had my WLE it was covered in some kind of waterproof bandage and that came off after 5 days and I didn't have to do any kind of care to it, just regular showers. So, definitely call your doctor and get the proper instructions from them since it could be a little different for everyone.

I would call your doctor or nurse. They should have sent written instructions home with you. When I had my WLE it was covered in some kind of waterproof bandage and that came off after 5 days and I didn't have to do any kind of care to it, just regular showers. So, definitely call your doctor and get the proper instructions from them since it could be a little different for everyone.

I would call your doctor or nurse. They should have sent written instructions home with you. When I had my WLE it was covered in some kind of waterproof bandage and that came off after 5 days and I didn't have to do any kind of care to it, just regular showers. So, definitely call your doctor and get the proper instructions from them since it could be a little different for everyone.

Hi Queenbee. Definately call the doctor's office. Usually they don't want you wash the area for 48 hours and don't fully soak the area with water until the scar is fully healed. If the stitches are visible, they will have to remove them (usually at least 2 weeks after the surgery date). 

If you see any additional redness, abnormal amount of swelling, oozing, or pus, also call the doctor's office as this may be an infection. If you spike a fever, again, call the doctor's office.  

Surgery (and cancer, for that matter) is always overwhelming, so for future reference, always bring someone with you who can listen, take notes, and be your "brain" so to speak. I always bring my husband with me to every surgery and doctor's visit – it's a huge help! Even though I worked in healthcare, I tend to blank when I am the patient and put on the spot. There is so much to take in, I need my extra brain! 

Hope you are healing well! 

WithinMySkin

Hi Queenbee. Definately call the doctor's office. Usually they don't want you wash the area for 48 hours and don't fully soak the area with water until the scar is fully healed. If the stitches are visible, they will have to remove them (usually at least 2 weeks after the surgery date). 

If you see any additional redness, abnormal amount of swelling, oozing, or pus, also call the doctor's office as this may be an infection. If you spike a fever, again, call the doctor's office.  

Surgery (and cancer, for that matter) is always overwhelming, so for future reference, always bring someone with you who can listen, take notes, and be your "brain" so to speak. I always bring my husband with me to every surgery and doctor's visit – it's a huge help! Even though I worked in healthcare, I tend to blank when I am the patient and put on the spot. There is so much to take in, I need my extra brain! 

Hope you are healing well! 

WithinMySkin

Hi Queenbee. Definately call the doctor's office. Usually they don't want you wash the area for 48 hours and don't fully soak the area with water until the scar is fully healed. If the stitches are visible, they will have to remove them (usually at least 2 weeks after the surgery date). 

If you see any additional redness, abnormal amount of swelling, oozing, or pus, also call the doctor's office as this may be an infection. If you spike a fever, again, call the doctor's office.  

Surgery (and cancer, for that matter) is always overwhelming, so for future reference, always bring someone with you who can listen, take notes, and be your "brain" so to speak. I always bring my husband with me to every surgery and doctor's visit – it's a huge help! Even though I worked in healthcare, I tend to blank when I am the patient and put on the spot. There is so much to take in, I need my extra brain! 

Hope you are healing well! 

WithinMySkin

To add to what the others have said, also take it easy with your arm – you don't want to pop open the stitches which are usually done in two layers.  The advice I was given was to elevate (my leg) and refrain from doing anything too strenuous for about two weeks and to also refrain from exercise (jogging, etc.) for about a month.  So I would think that elevating your arm and avoiding heavy lifting would have been part of the nurse's advice.  I could shower after two days, but baths were discouraged until stitches came out at 2 weeks.  For wound care, they recommended vaseline so the stitches didn't stick to the dressing. 

To add to what the others have said, also take it easy with your arm – you don't want to pop open the stitches which are usually done in two layers.  The advice I was given was to elevate (my leg) and refrain from doing anything too strenuous for about two weeks and to also refrain from exercise (jogging, etc.) for about a month.  So I would think that elevating your arm and avoiding heavy lifting would have been part of the nurse's advice.  I could shower after two days, but baths were discouraged until stitches came out at 2 weeks.  For wound care, they recommended vaseline so the stitches didn't stick to the dressing. 

To add to what the others have said, also take it easy with your arm – you don't want to pop open the stitches which are usually done in two layers.  The advice I was given was to elevate (my leg) and refrain from doing anything too strenuous for about two weeks and to also refrain from exercise (jogging, etc.) for about a month.  So I would think that elevating your arm and avoiding heavy lifting would have been part of the nurse's advice.  I could shower after two days, but baths were discouraged until stitches came out at 2 weeks.  For wound care, they recommended vaseline so the stitches didn't stick to the dressing.