Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:. Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:.
Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. Roh MD - Dermatology. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider. We are unable to switch you to this area of care. Skin Grafts: What to Expect at Home. Skip Navigation. Your Recovery Skin grafts are thin sheets of healthy skin removed from one part of the body donor site and put on another part.
How can you care for yourself at home? Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Try to walk each day, unless the grafted area is on your foot or leg. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk.
Walking boosts blood flow to the skin grafts. Ask your doctor when you can drive again. Your doctor will tell you when you can return to work. It depends on the size of the skin graft, what part of your body was grafted, the type of work you do, and how you feel. Your doctor will tell you when you can take a shower.
Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay. Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay.
You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. Skin grafts are often indicated for the treatment of skin loss from infection, burns, venous and arterial insufficiency ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and very large wounds.
Skin grafts are performed by taking healthy skin from a place on the body called the donor site. Extremely deep tissue loss may require a full-thickness skin graft, which takes the entire thickness of skin from the donor site, not just the top two layers. In other words, a skin flap maintains its original blood supply and is never completely removed, only rearranged. After the surgery, your doctor will give you skin graft aftercare instructions for the graft site and donor site. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you should keep the skin graft dry and try to avoid sunlight on the skin graft area.
These insufficiencies are caused by a number of factors including tissue damage from radiation, diabetic complications , or infections. Skin grafts may also be compromised due to the formation of a hematoma or seroma near the graft. Compromised or failed skin grafts are characterized by continuous pain, numbness, fever, discoloration, redness, swelling, or a breakdown of tissue. The most obvious sign of an unhealthy skin graft is darkening skin that lacks the pink appearance of healthy skin.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly increase the likelihood of graft survival and enhance skin graft outcomes. Regular HBOT sessions effectively treat compromised skin grafts and flaps by restoring and strengthening the natural body processes needed to ensure skin-grafting success. The machine removes air from under the bandage.
This can reduce swelling and speed healing. Your bandage will be first changed after 4 to 7 days. The donor site will have a thin bandage. You will not have a bolster or vacuum bandage on the donor site. Keep the bandage dry. Take a sponge bath to avoid getting your bandage wet, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise. Ask your provider about the best way to keep your bandage dry when bathing or showering.
Ask your provider what to do if your bandage gets wet. As often as possible, elevate the graft site above the level of your heart. Do this when sitting or lying down. This helps reduce swelling and fluid buildup in the graft area.
Keep the part of the body with the graft as still as possible. Avoid any movement that stretches or pulls the skin graft. If the graft bleeds, apply gentle but firm pressure to the graft site with a clean cloth or bandage for 10 minutes.
Do not touch the bandage. Leave it in place until you are told to remove or change it. After the bandage is removed, the site will be pink. Over time it will return to more normal color.
Do not do any activity that stretches or moves the skin graft for as long as advised by your health care provider. If you have sutures, they may be removed 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Your graft site bandage will be changed 4 days to 7 days after surgery.
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