Healing
Follow-up appointments with Dr. Zelt
Your regular visits in the postoperative period will be arranged by my office manager Natalie Gordon. Your visits allow us to review your healing and answer any questions you may have concerning your procedure. Adhering to this schedule helps ensure you recovery uneventfully and return to work and play as soon as possible.
Visit One - 3 to 6 days following your procedure
During your first postoperative visit a nurse in my office will remove your dressings. Your incisions will be inspected to ensure everything is healing as expected. You’ll still be a little sore and stiff. You can now begin showering normally.
For the next month,
Good things
- Eat healthy foods and take a multivitamin every day
- Wash and shower normally
- If you have been given a compression garment, wear it as instructed – 24 hours a day for the first two (2) weeks then just during the day until your next visit with Dr. Zelt
- If skin tapes (Steri-strips) are still covering your incisions after the 2nd week postoperatively, you can remove them easily in the shower
Bad things...
- Avoid strenuous activities including sports and exercise programs
- Do not drink alcohol for 10 days
- Avoid smoking for 4 weeks
Visit Two - 4 to 5 weeks postoperatively
Your second visit is usually about 1 month after your last visit and allows us to see if healing is progressing as expected. You will no longer require the compression garment after this visit. If there are no concerns you may return to your normal activities including strenuous activities and sports. Always begin slowly and progress weekly until you are pretty much back to normal by 2 to 3 months at the latest.
For the next 3 to 4 months...
Good things
- It is best to gradually return to normal function rather than rushing quickly back into your busy routines.
- Massaging your scars and treated areas will help them heal as soft and natural as possible. Massaging can be thought of as physiotherapy and helps ensure the soft tissues heal completely.
Bad things
- Avoid returning to “normal” too soon.
Visit Three - 4 to 6 months postoperatively
The majority of the healing has taken place by this time but you will see steady improvements in your scars for almost 2 years!
We will decide together if your goals have been met and if any revisions are required. Minor alterations are usually performed under local anesthesia. More involved adjustments may require an outpatient procedure under a light general anesthetic.
Visit Four - 1 year postoperatively
Under most circumstances, this will be our last visit. We’ll ensure that your preoperative goals have been met and that you are satisfied with your result.
I very much encourage all my patients to return for regular visits at 1 to 2 year intervals to ensure proper healing. Sometimes the early detection of a problem can lead to a more simple solution.
Contact us if you have any questions.