Post-Op Instructions

INSTRUCTION FOR SKIN CARE FOLLOWING:
SKIN BIOPSY

You had a biopsy of one or more areas of your skin. It will take 1 – 2 weeks for us to receive the results from the pathology laboratory. Until your results are received, your provider would like for you to follow these instructions to care for your biopsy site(s).

1. Remove the bandage or dressing tomorrow. Do not get the area wet until that time.
2. The area will look like a scrape or may have a stitch. Keep the area clean with mild soap and water.
   Apply a petrolatum-based ointment, such as Vaseline® or Aquaphor®, to the biopsy site. This will prevent large scab formation and allow the area to gently heal. An antibiotic ointment is not necessary, unless directed by your provider.
3. Any discomfort or pain should be minor and can be alleviated by taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®) in appropriate dosages for your weight and age.
4. If you have been asked to schedule a follow-up appointment, the results of the biopsy will be reviewed with you at that visit. If no follow-up visit was scheduled and results need to be discussed, or if further treatment is required, then our office will call you to discuss the results and/or schedule another appointment.
5. All results, whether normal, precancerous or cancerous will automatically go to your patient portal account. Please note that your results may be available before your provider has reviewed or before our office contacts you. Please look out for an email notification from our office when the results are posted to your portal account.
6. We will call you if additional treatment is recommended. You may, if you wish, call us after 10 business days if you have questions about your results. You may also contact our office directly by submitting a message from your patient portal account.

EXPLANATION OF PATHOLOGY CHARGES

Your procedure today has resulted in a specimen that will be sent to a pathologist. Therefore, you may have up to two additional fees from Gwinnett Dermatology or an outside vendor (depending on your insurance) for services generated by this visit.

1. A pathology processing charge for creating and processing the slide that will allow the pathologist to make a diagnosis.
2. A charge from the pathologist for reviewing the slide and making a diagnosis.