Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Cryoablation, Care After
Cryoablation, Care After
The following information offers guidance on how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.
What can I expect after the procedure?
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Redness or blisters near the area treated.
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Mild pain and swelling.
Follow these instructions at home:
Treatment area care
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If you have an incision, follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of it. Make sure you:
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Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
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Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
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Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
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Check your treatment area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
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More redness, swelling, or pain.
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Fluid or blood.
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Warmth.
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Pus or a bad smell.
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Keep the treated area clean and dry. Keep it covered with a dressing until it has healed. Clean the area with soap and water as told by your health care provider. If your dressing gets wet, change it right away.
Activity
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Follow instructions from your health care provider about what activities are safe for you.
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You may have to avoid lifting. Ask your health care provider how much you can safely lift.
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If you were given a sedative during the procedure, it can affect you for several hours. Do not drive or operate machinery until your health care provider says that it is safe.
General instructions
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Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
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Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. These can delay incision healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
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Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
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Keep all follow-up visits. Your health care provider may need to check that treatment worked and that there were no problems caused by the procedure.
Contact a health care provider if:
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You have more pain.
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You have a fever.
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You have nausea or vomiting.
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You have any signs of infection.
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You do not have a bowel movement for 2 days.
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You cannot urinate, or you cannot control when you urinate or have a bowel movement (have incontinence).
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You develop impotence.
Get help right away if:
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You have severe pain.
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You have trouble swallowing or breathing.
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You are very weak or dizzy.
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You have chest pain or shortness of breath.
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Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
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Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
