Pre-operative instructions before surgical dermatological care at SkinProvement Dermatology New York

If you are seeking dermatology care at SkinProvement Dermatology New York with Dr. Stephen Comite of New York, New York, we invite you to closely follow the surgery preparation and pre-operative instructions below. Please read the following instructions carefully. While no surgical result can be guaranteed, attention to the following details can help maximize success.

• Relax! Most dermatological surgery is only minimally uncomfortable and only initially when the anesthesia is being applied. You may feel a sensation of pressure during the procedure, but you should not feel discomfort. Any time you do feel discomfort, notify the doctor, as additional local anesthesia may be used.
• If you have not done so already, please be sure to tell the doctor of any medications you are taking, especially aspirin or aspirin-containing products, or any pain relievers such as Motrin (Advil, Aleve, Naproxen, Naprosyn) or other discomfort or arthritis medications. Also, please let the doctor know if you are taking blood thinners such as Coumadin, Heparin, Eliquis (Apixaban), or Xarelto (Rivaroxaban). Please also let us know if you are taking any “beta-blockers” for treating high blood pressure and heart disease. Examples of these include Propranolol.
• If you wish to use a pain reliever 10 days before surgery, please use Tylenol.
• If you have not done so already, please let the doctor know if you have hepatitis, high blood pressure or hypertension, AIDS, heart disease, or if you use a pacemaker. Also, inform the doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a local anesthetic such as lidocaine or any other reactions to tape and antibiotic ointments.
• Do not drink any alcohol-containing products for at least seven days before surgery.
• Remember that, in nearly all surgery, scarring is to be expected. Care will be taken to minimize scarring, but all patients heal differently, and it is impossible to predict anyone’s final result. Occasionally, a touch-up procedure is required.
• Follow-up visits are required to check for healing, remove stitches if they are used, and review biopsy reports if necessary.
• If the surgery is elective or in a cosmetically sensitive area and you have a special occasion in the near future, you may wish to consult with the doctor if you can defer the procedure. If the surgery is in an area of muscular motion, be prepared to rest the area for at least six to eight weeks following surgery. This includes any exercise that you may commonly do.
• Minimal swelling usually occurs after surgery. Also, for surgery around or near the eye, often a black eye is noted temporarily after surgery.
• If you are having facial, leg, or any other extensive surgery or are not in good health, please arrange for transportation from the office after surgery. You can arrange either to have a friend or a car service pick you up from the office to take you home.

If you have any other questions, please call the office at (212) 933-9490 prior to your upcoming procedure. Our team is conveniently located at 110 East 40th Street, Suite #402, and is here to answer your pre-operative questions!

Stephen L. Comite, M.D.
F.A.A.D.Board-Certified Dermatologist,
Clinical Professor of Dermatology.

SuperDoctors, New York Times, Best Dermatologists: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.

Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, Best Dermatologists: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.

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