Appointment
You may call (781)-744-8348 to make or confirm your appointment. If you are a patient coming to the Lahey Clinic for the first time, please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
Before Your Appointment
Please let us know well in advance of your appointment:
- If you take blood thinners, i.e. Coumadin, Aspirin, Ecotrin, Persantine (Dipyridamole), etc. on a regular basis.
- If you take arthritis medications or anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Naproxen, Aleve) on a regular basis.
- If you have a heart murmur, transplant, or any prosthesis which will require prophylactic antibiotics.
If your primary care physician, cardiologist, or neurologist has prescribed blood thinners, i.e. Coumadin, Aspirin, Ecotrin, Persantine (Dipyridamole), etc. you must check with him/her before discontinuing. DO NOT stop these unless your primary care doctor says that you may. Coumadin should be stopped at least three days before surgery but this must be cleared with the prescribing physician. It is very important to follow your primary care doctor's instructions regarding these medications.
Otherwise, you should not take aspirin, aspirin-containing medications, vitamin E, or anti-inflammatory drugs for one week before surgery. You will also be required to not take these for three to seven days following your surgery.
If you are not sure about a particular medication, please check the label, refer to the enclosed list, or give us a call.
- Tylenol (Acetaminophen) may be taken for pain relief if needed.
- Alcohol should be avoided one week prior to, and one week after surgery.
If your skin biopsy was not done at Lahey Clinic please check that your referring physician has sent a copy of your biopsy report to our office. We must receive this information at least one week before your scheduled appointment.
One of our nurses will likely contact you before your appointment in order to review your medical history and to answer any questions you may have. These calls are generally made in the evening within a few days of the appointment. If you would like to speak with one of the nurses sooner, please feel free to call and let us know.
The Day of Your Appointment
- Try to get a good night's rest the night before.
- Take all of your usual medications unless directed otherwise by us.
- You may and should eat as usual unless otherwise instructed.
- If you have not spoken with the nurse, please remember to bring a list of the medications you are currently taking and any other pertinent medical information that we should be aware of.
- Since you may be with us much of the day, you may want to bring reading material. A companion is welcome to stay with you in the waiting area. You will not be confined to the surgery room during the waiting periods.
- All surgery is done under local anesthesia. You will not be receiving any medications that will make you drowsy. Most people are able to care for themselves following a procedure. However, we do recommend having someone accompany you home.
- You will be given complete instructions to take care of your surgical site. If you will be unable to care for it yourself, we will teach a family member to help you.
Please Schedule the Appointment with the Following Considerations:
- We prefer that you do not travel until after the sutures are removed.
- It is very important to let us know prior to your appointment if you are planning a trip or have commitments that could interfere with healing.
- If the lesion is on the face or scalp, you will have a bandage on it and may be unable to get the area wet for 5 to 7 days after surgery.
- If the lesion is on the body, you will be unable to get the area wet for 48 hours after surgery and you will have to avoid prolonged water exposure (swimming, bathing) and strenuous activities for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. Lesions on the lower leg may require leg elevation for several days to weeks after surgery.
- If you have sutures (stitches), you will need to return in one to two weeks for removal. You may be asked to reduce your physical activity, including your athletic regimen, for the entire time you have sutures in place.
- At the time of your appointment, we will attempt to take care of the reason for which you have been referred. However, sometimes our preoperative evaluation (which will be just prior to the surgery) identifies problems that must be addressed before proceeding. In that event, the problem will be fully discussed with you, all your questions answered and the procedure rescheduled for an appropriate time after the problem has been resolved.
- If you wish to reschedule or cancel an appointment, or if you have any questions, please let us know as early as possible by calling (781) 744-8348.
We appreciate your patience in waiting for and preparing for this appointment. We look forward to seeing you that day.
