POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
👉🏼 What to Expect After Mohs Surgery and Repair
Healing after facial surgery follows a natural course. Knowing what’s normal—and how to care for yourself—can make the journey smoother and less stressful.
The Normal Healing Course
Pain & Swelling
Expect both pain and swelling to increase during the first 3 days.
After day 3, they should steadily improve.
Taking pain medication early and on schedule reduces the overall burden of pain.
Bruising & Drainage
Bruising often moves downward along the face and may last 2 weeks or more.
Light, blood-tinged drainage (“bloody tears” or mild oozing) is normal for 5–7 days.
How to Help Your Recovery
First 3 Days
Apply ice packs frequently while awake to minimize swelling and bleeding.
After Day 3
Switch to warm compresses to reduce crusting and encourage healing.
Activity
Do not rub or pick at stitches.
Sleep with your head slightly elevated and avoid lying directly on the wound.
Showers are safe after 24 hours, but avoid baths, hot tubs, and swimming. WE WANT YOU TO WASH THE WOUND. see below.
Limit strenuous activity for 1 week. Wait before golfing, yoga, or heavy lifting—anything that raises pressure in the head or chest can cause bleeding.
Medications
You may take Tylenol or Advil the evening after surgery.
Blood thinners can usually be resumed 48 hours after surgery, unless otherwise directed.
Stitches, Staples, and Healing
Dissolving Stitches (Sutures):
Most facial procedures use two layers of stitches.
Deep stitches (Vicryl) hold the wound underneath and dissolve slowly over weeks to months.
Surface stitches are finer and dissolve on their own, helping skin edges heal smoothly.
Staples:
Occasionally used in the scalp where hair complicates closure.
Must be removed in the office 21–28 days after surgery.
If Stitches Remain:
Rarely, a dissolving stitch lingers at the skin surface.
If this happens and you feel comfortable, you may trim it with clean, sharp scissors (such as nose-hair scissors) and tweezers.
Never remove stitches before 2 weeks.
Wound Care After Surgery
Applying epidermal growth factor (EGF) serum may help wounds heal faster and more smoothly.
MANDATORY: WASH THE WOUND!
Baby shampoo (or any mild gentle soap) helps keep the wound free of crust. Wash 3x daily. Wash gently and pat dry. It’s ok to touch and wash the wound with clean hands!
MANDATORY: VASELINE. Moisture is Key:
Wounds heal best when kept moist, not dry.
The simplest and most effective dressing is plain Vaseline, applied in a thin layer to protect and speed healing. Vaseline coated gauze is also available if you want/need.
When to Call the Office
Pain or swelling that worsens after day 3 instead of improving.
Sudden vision changes, severe bleeding, or rapidly increasing swelling.
Signs of infection: new redness, pus, warmth, or fever.
Any concern that “just doesn’t look right.”
You may also text us a photo for quick guidance.