Esophageal Myotomy

Recovering from Surgery: Care of the Incision

The incisions require nothing more than to be kept clean and covered for about one week. Here are some tips:

You may notice some bruising around the incisions that may increase in size with time. It is common for this bruising to become apparent 2-3 days after surgery as any blood in the tissues moves to the surface. This is normal and there is no cause for alarm.
You may also notice some bleeding from the incisions. Unless it is excessive, there is no need to worry. Just change the Band-Aids as needed.
Occasionally, there may be some discharge from the incisions two to four weeks after the operation. This represents the sutures in the skin dissolving. There is no need for alarm. Call the office and we will check the incisions at a convenient time.
You may notice little white strands sticking out of the incisions. Those are sutures in the skin and will dissolve with time. They can be removed in the office if they bother you.
You can take a shower on the day you get home. Take the Band-Aids off prior to, or after, your shower and replace them with new, dry ones.
If your incisions get red, painful or purulent, call the office. You received antibiotics in the operating room prior to surgery in order to reduce your risk of infection. You do not need antibiotics after surgery unless you have an artificial joint, artificial heart valve or organ, heart murmur, mitral prolapse, blood vessel graft or have been specifically told by your physician that you need to take them.