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Melanoma Excision Surgery in Your Teen: What to Expect at Home

Excision of a melanoma is a type of surgery to remove (excise) a melanoma from the skin. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer in which abnormal skin cells grow out of control.

Your teen may have stitches until the surgical wound heals. This may cause a scar that should fade with time. How quickly the wound heals depends on its size. Most wounds take 1 to 3 weeks to heal. If a large area of skin was removed, your teen may have a skin graft, and healing may take longer.

Some soreness around the wound is normal. The doctor may recommend an over-the-counter medicine. Your teen may get a prescription to help if there is pain.

Your doctor may give you specific instructions on when your teen can do normal activities again, such as driving and going back to school.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for your teen to recover. But each teen recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to help your teen get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for your teen at home?

Activity

If your teen has stitches, check with the doctor about when your teen can do normal activities.
If your teen has a skin graft, your doctor will give you specific instructions.

Medicines

Your doctor will tell you if and when your teen can restart any medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about any new medicines.
Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If your teen is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if they can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- If the doctor gave your teen a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
- Store prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When your teen is done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.

Wound care

Your teen will have a dressing over the wound. A dressing helps it heal and protects it. Your doctor will tell you how to take care of this.
Have your teen keep the dressing intact and dry until the doctor says it's okay to get the area wet.
Have your teen follow the doctor's instructions about when it's okay to shower or bathe.
If your teen has stitches, the doctor will tell you when to come back to have them removed.
If your teen has a skin graft, leave the bandages on the skin graft and donor site until the doctor says you can take them off. You probably will get instructions on how to change the bandages. Follow these instructions closely.
If your teen has a skin graft, help your teen protect the area from being rubbed or bumped for 3 to 4 weeks.

Follow-up care is a key part of your teen's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if your teen is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your teen's test results and keep a list of the medicines your teen takes.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think your teen may need emergency care. For example, call if:

Your teen passes out (loses consciousness).
Your teen has severe trouble breathing.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

Your teen has pain that does not get better after taking pain medicine.
Your teen has loose stitches, or the wound comes open.
Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over your teen's incision.
Your teen has nausea or vomiting and can't keep down fluids.
Your teen has symptoms of a blood clot in a leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in the leg or groin.
- A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish, purplish, or dark brown.
Your teen has symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Your teen can't pass stools or gas.

Watch closely for changes in your teen's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.

These resources and their content are provided by a third party for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the values and positions of Ascension, its ministries, or its subsidiaries.

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