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Skin Grafts: Before Your Surgery

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What is skin graft surgery?

Skin grafts are very thin sheets of healthy skin taken from one part of the body and put on another part. They are used to treat skin damaged by burns, infection, or injury. When possible, the doctor takes the healthy skin from a place that is hard to see or that's often covered by clothes.

In many cases, skin grafts only use the top layer of skin. This is called a split-thickness graft. When more layers are needed, it's called a full-thickness graft. The kind you need depends on how much damage you have and where it is.

In a split-thickness graft, the doctor removes a strip of healthy skin with a special tool. This skin usually comes from the inner thigh or rear end (buttocks). Then the doctor puts the strip on the damaged area and attaches it with stitches or staples. If the area is large, the doctor uses several small strips. You will grow a new layer of skin in the place where the strips of skin were removed.

In a full-thickness graft, only small pieces of skin are used. This is because the skin does not grow back and the edges have to be stitched together. Skin for this type of graft usually comes from behind the ears or from the neck, upper arm, lower belly, or groin area.

If the graft is small, the doctor will probably give you a shot of medicine to numb the area before surgery. For a larger one, you will probably get medicine to make you sleep during surgery.

After surgery, you may have a bandage stitched over the graft. The doctor will remove this in 4 to 10 days. The stitches or staples will be removed in 7 to 10 days.

For small grafts, you will probably go home 1 to 2 hours after surgery. For large grafts or ones in difficult areas, you may need to spend 5 to 10 days in the hospital.

How do you prepare for surgery?

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

 
  • Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
  • Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
  • If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
  • Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
  • Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of surgery?

  • Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
  • Follow your doctor's instructions about when to bathe or shower before your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
  • Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
  • Take off all jewelry and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery center

 
  • Bring a picture ID.
  • The area for surgery is often marked to make sure there are no errors.
  • You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. The anesthesia may make you sleep. Or it may just numb the area being worked on.
  • How long it takes to do the skin graft depends on how much damaged skin needs to be covered.
  • You will have bandages taped, wrapped, or stitched over graft areas.
  • For large skin graft surgery, you will probably go to your hospital room after 1 to 2 hours in the recovery room. For a small graft, you may be able to go home 1 to 2 hours after surgery.

When should you call your doctor?

  • You have questions or concerns.
  • You don't understand how to prepare for your surgery.
  • You become ill before the surgery (such as fever, flu, or a cold).
  • You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the surgery.

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: September 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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.