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Post-Op Care Instructions

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Post-Operative Instructions
1. Call the office to make an appointment for your first post-operative appointment.

2. DO NOT change your dressing at home. If the dressing seems very uncomfortable call the office. Do not adjust the bandage without instructions from the staff or Dr. Chae.

3. Keep operative foot elevated with an ice pack over the most painful area of your foot, or above the bandage around the ankle and lower leg, for the first week following surgery.

4. Keep the dressing dry. If your dressing gets wet, call Dr. Chae's office for instructions.

5. A small amount of bleeding on the bandage following surgery is normal. If bleeding persists, decrease activity, apply ice and keep the affected foot elevated above the level of your heart. If bleeding continues, call the office for instructions.

6. Wear the surgical shoe or boot whenever walking. The shoe can be worn to bed since it may protect your foot from unexpected movement while sleeping.

7. Take pain and other medications as prescribed. Eating before taking the medications may help prevent nausea. Prescriptions for pain medication will only be written and refilled during normal business hours. Please plan accordingly.

8. DO NOT drive until released to do so by Dr. Chae.

9. Stay of your feet as much as possible. 90% of all complications result from doing too much too soon. Do only what is comfortable. If it hurts, don't do it. Gradually increase your activity over time.

For 24 Hours Following Anesthesia
10. DO NOT work around the stove, machinery, or power equipment. 

11. DO NOT make any legal decisions.

12. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

Following these instructions will help ensure a successful surgical result. Ignoring these instructions may cause a delay in healing, increased swelling, possible infection, or other serious complication. Healing will be most likely faster and you will be more comfortable by following the above instructions. If there are any questions or problems, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 

Wart Surgery Instructions
1. Elevate foot on 2 pillows.

2. Apply ice pack.

3. Leave dressing in place for 2 days. If bleeding is noted on the dressing, continue ice and elevation. If bleeding persists, add gauze to dressing. Call the office if bleeding continues.

4. After 2 days, remove your dressing and soak your foot in warm water with Epsom Salts (1 tbs. per quart) for 20 minutes.

5. After soaking your foot, apply an antibiotic cream (such as Neosporin) to the site and cover with a band-aid.

6. Thereafter, you should soak your foot 20 minutes 2 times a day in warm water. Apply antibiotic cream and a band-aid after each soak until the doctor instructs you otherwise. Soaking your foot as instructed will help assure a faster recovery and help prevent problems. Most problems are due to ignoring post-operative soaks.

7. Call our office if you have any problems or questions.

**Disinfect shoe gear with antiviral (Lysol) solution / spray and / or launder or expose to bright sunlight

** Accommodative padding around periphery of excision site

Following these instructions will help ensure a good result. Ignoring these instructions will likely cause delay in healing and prolong the swelling and discomfort. Patience is very important in the care of your foot. You will find that healing will be more comfortable and faster if you invest the time and care that we ask.
 

Nail Post-Op Instructions
1. Elevate your foot.

2. Leave your dressing in place for 12 - 24 hours. If bleeding is noted through the dressing, add gauze to the outer dressing. Call the office if bleeding continues. Ice and elevate for pain and swelling.

3. The morning following your nail surgery, remove the dressing and soak your foot in warm Epsom salt soak (1 tbs. Epsom salt to 1 quart of warm water).

4. After soaking, apply antibiotic cream, such as Neosporin, to the site and cover with a band-aid.

5. You should continue to soak your foot for 10 minutes, 2 times a day for 3 days. After the 3 days, continue to soak your foot once a day until your next appointment. You should also continue to apply antibiotic cream and a band-aid after each soak until the doctor instructs you otherwise. Soaking your foot as instructed will give you the fastest recovery and will help prevent problems.

6. Call our office with any problems or questions.

Following these instructions will give you a good result. Ignoring these instructions will likely cause a delay in healing and prolong the swelling and discomfort. Patience is very important in the care of your foot.