This information will help you care for your wound after your excision in the Gastric Mixed Tumor Service.
You had a procedure to remove a suspicious area of skin or tissue. This procedure is called an excision.
Your wound was closed with sutures (stitches). Caring for your wound is important to help prevent infection and help it heal. Your nurse will review these instructions with you before you go home.
Caring for Your Wound
- You can remove your bandage a few hours after your procedure. You may see blood on the bandage. This is normal.
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Your wound may look different than the skin around it. This is normal and will get better with time. It may also feel tender. While it’s healing, your wound may look:
- Red
- Black
- Bruised
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Your wound site may be covered with Steri-Strips™ (thin strips of paper tape) or Dermabond® (surgical glue).
- If your wound is covered with Steri-Strips, leave them on until they fall off on their own. If the strips haven’t come off after 10 days, you may gently remove them.
- If your wound is covered with Dermabond, don’t remove the glue. It will peel off on its own. If the Dermabond hasn’t come off after 10 days, you can remove it using soap, water and a washcloth. Rub the wet washcloth over the area very gently until it comes off.
- You may notice pink liquid oozing from your wound a few hours after your procedure. This is common and not a problem. To help with this, apply gentle pressure on the site for 5 minutes. If the bandage is soaked, replace it with a dry bandage and call your healthcare provider.
- You can shower 24 hours after your procedure. You should remove your bandage before showering. You can let the shower water run over your wound, but don’t let it soak in water. Clean your wound with soap and water and pat it dry with a clean towel. You don’t need to put another bandage on your wound after you shower.
Unless your healthcare provider tells you differently, don’t:
- Put any creams, ointments, or lotions on your wound.
- Cover your wound with a bandage, unless your clothes irritate it.
Sutures
Some sutures don’t need to be removed because your body will absorb them. These are called dissolved sutures. Sutures that can’t be absorbed by your body will be removed by your healthcare provider after your site has healed. Your nurse will let you know which type of sutures you have.
Suture removal
- For nondissolvable sutures: You will go back to your healthcare provider’s office to have your sutures removed in a couple days or weeks. If you didn’t already make an appointment for this, call your healthcare provider to make one.
- For dissolvable sutures: Continue to check your sutures until they’re dissolved, which may take up to 1 to 2 months. You may see a small string at the end of your wound. This is probably from your sutures which may not have dissolved yet. If you have any concerns, call your healthcare provider’s office.
Pain
You may have pain after your procedure. To help with this, take over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®). Your healthcare provider may tell you to put an ice pack on the affected area to help with any pain.
If you’re prescribed pain medication, take it as instructed by your healthcare provider.
Activities
You can resume most activities right after your procedure. Don’t perform any of the following activities until your healthcare provider says it’s safe:
- Don’t lift objects heavier than 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms).
- Strenuous exercises such as running, jogging, and lifting weights. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on what exercises and movements you can do while your wound is healing.
Sleeping
If your wound is above your neck, sleep with your head raised 45 degrees for the first 10 days after your procedure. You can do this by sleeping with 2 pillows under your head.
Scarring
You may have discoloration (pinkness or redness) at the site of your wound for up to 1 year after your surgery. Once your wound is healed, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to the area if you’re out in the sun. This will protect it from scarring.
Call Your Healthcare Provider if You Have:
- Yellowish drainage from your wound
- A fever higher than 100.4 °F (38 °C)
- An area of redness or swelling bigger than ¼ inch around your wound
- Increased pain or discomfort around your wound
- Skin around your wound that feels hard or hot to the touch
- Chills (shivering)
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Any of the following symptoms at your wound or the area around it:
- Bad smell (odor)
- If the wound looks like it has opened
Using MyMSK
MyMSK (my.mskcc.org) is your MSK patient portal account. You can use MyMSK to send and receive messages from your healthcare team, view your test results, see your appointment dates and times, and more.
If you don’t already have a MyMSK account, you can sign up by going to my.mskcc.org. For more information about signing up for a MyMSK account, watch our video How to Enroll in MyMSK: Memorial Sloan Kettering's Patient Portal. You can also contact the MyMSK Help Desk by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-248-0593.