Taking care of your incisions

The appearance of your incision will improve over time. During the first weeks after the procedure you may have a small lump, bruise or tenderness around the puncture site. These are common and will gradually disappear.

If you experience discomfort you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or another medication ordered by your doctor.

Keep the dressing on your puncture site for 24 hours.

After 24 hours you can take a shower. Do not soak in a bathtub for at least 7 days after your procedure. This is to prevent your puncture site from bleeding, prevent infection and to help with healing. You can leave the bandage off to help it heal.

What should I do if my puncture site bleeds?

If your puncture site begins to bleed, you must apply pressure. Lie down on a firm surface and press firmly on the bleeding with 2 or 3 fingers for 15 minutes or more. If it continues to bleed, call 911 or have someone drive you to the closest Emergency Department.