A biopsy is a procedure in which an area of tissue or bone is taken and sent to a pathologist for examination to determine its origin. These instructions, provide some general guidelines for your post operative care.
Bleeding
Some bleeding is expected after surgical procedure. It is a normal part of healing. Gauze will be provided to you to help control the bleeding following your biopsy. If you have had a biopsy inside your mouth, you will need to moisten the gauze and squeeze out the excess water and place over the incision applying pressure to the area. If the biopsy was outside of your mouth. You will need to hold the gauze in place to apply pressure, a small amount of bleeding can continue intermittently for a few days, especially if the area is stimulated by movement. If stitches are placed inside your mouth, they will dissolve on their own in seven to 10 days. If stitches were placed on the tongue It is common for them to come out in the first one or two days. If non dissolving stitches were placed we will remove them at your post op visit any physical activity will raise your heart rate and increase bleeding, so minimize any exercise for a few days following surgery.
Swelling
Swelling is also a normal part of post operative healing and can increase for two to three days following any surgery. Slowly resolving after this. You may be instructed to apply ice and or heat to the area. If so, apply to the area for 20 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours. This will help minimize swelling and pain during this time. After this switch to heat. Warm, moist towels work well.
Medications
If you’ve been sedated for your procedure you may not drive for 24 hours. You may also have been prescribed in our chronic pain medication. If so, you cannot drive while taking this. If your biopsy was inside your mouth your antibiotic management might be prescribed to help keep the area clean. If so, do not use it until the morning after your biopsy to avoid stimulating further bleeding during the initial healing. If an antibiotic was prescribed, make sure to take it until completely gone. If your procedure was outside of your mouth, you will need to keep it clean and apply an over-the-counter antibiotic.