Important Imformation(FAQ's)

What do I need to know before my surgical procedure?

You will be given additional instructions on the day of your surgery regarding wound care as well as an after-hours emergency number in case there are any problems. Any questions or concerns will be promptly addressed. Please keep in mind the following:

• No strenuous activity ten to fourteen days after the procedure. This means no heavy lifting or aggressive sports including, but not limited to, swimming, golf, jogging, and skiing.
• Please do not take and NSAIDS or Aspirin two weeks prior to your scheduled appointment unless you are taking it as prescribed by a physician. Also, do not stop any other prescription blood thinners (e.g. Coumadin, Plavix) without talking to your physician. You may take Tylenol.
• You will have several stitches in place for up to a two-week period. You will need to return to our office for the removal of these stitches, unless you or a family friend are in the medical field and are able to remove them.

If you need to cancel your appointment for any reason due to travel or other physical activity requirements, please do so as soon as possible so that we can reschedule your appointment. Please call us if you have any additional questions.

What is the best way to care for a wound following cryotherapy, a biopsy or a skin excision?

We will provide you with wound care instructions as well as an after-hours emergency number in case there are any problems. Any questions or concerns will be promptly addressed. Wounds heal better when covered and moist. Keep it covered with a bandage at all times, and use only Vaseline to keep it moist. 

DO NOT USE:

• Bacitracin
• Neosporin/Polysporin
• Bactroban

These ointments have been known to cause an allergic contact dermatitis rash that can make your wound appear to be infected. 
After cryotherapy:

• If you notice that a blister has formed at the site of your procedure, please do not break or puncture it; allow it to come off on its own.
• Change your bandage daily until we notify you of your pathology result in about one week.
• If you can keep the original bandage on the wound for the first 24 hours, it will expedite the healing process.
• If you are in any discomfort, please take only Extra Strength Tylenol; aspirin and many of its derivatives may cause excessive bleeding. If your primary care doctor instructs you to take aspirin or other blood thinning medications such as Plavix, it is okay to do so during the post-operative period.

What can I expect during a full skin examination?

Dr. Herbert specializes in performing full skin examinations and detecting abnormal growths and moles. As we perform a set number of these daily, there is often a prolonged wait to obtain these appointments. If you feel you have one or two growths that need to be examined immediately, we will fit you in for an appointment as soon as possible. Once in the examination room, you will be asked to remove your clothes and put on a gown. This mean removing your bra, socks, hair bands, and any constrictive jewelry. Expect us to examine your skin everywhere. We will systematically check your entire body, including looking at your scalp and behind your ears. We will lightly touch your skin, feeling for abnormal lumps or growths. We may use a specialized tool called a dermatoscope to better visualize growths and moles. Please feel free to ask questions about anything we see during the exam. We hope that you will continue to perform monthly skin examinations at home, so please ask us for guidance. If something appears suspicious, we may perform a procedure including, but not limited to, a biopsy or cryotherapy. Please note we recommend all patients see their ophthalmologist, dentist, and gynecologist or urologist to assess those special areas of your body more closely.

How often should I get a full skin exam?

Ideally, annually; however, for those patients with numerous moles or a personal or family history of skin cancer and melanoma, we prefer to see them more often.

Can’t my primary care doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner do my skin exam at my annual physical?

Dr. Herbert has specialized training that primary care providers do not. We perform comprehensive full body skin exams multiple times per day, and specialize in the diagnosis and management of skin cancers. Additionally, we take pride in the fact that we are board certified in our specialty and experts in the field. Therefore, we prefer our patients see us for their annual exam instead of going to their primary care doctor or nurse practitioner.

What does FDL stand for?

FDL stands for fleur-de-lis, and though it is an enduring symbol of France, we incorporated it as a tribute to New Orleans, one of our favorite cities that just happens to be where Dr. Herbert spent her residency training in dermatology.