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Warning-sign checks

Reconstructive surgery: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Use the emergency contact number supplied by the reconstructive team.

    Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, uncontrolled bleeding, or coughing up blood.

    Sudden one-sided leg swelling with breathing difficulty also needs emergency assessment.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, bad odour, worsening pain, wound opening, or a fever that meets the threshold in your discharge instructions.

    Also call if a drain stops working, falls out, or suddenly fills with blood.

    If you have a flap, seek urgent advice for a sudden change in its colour, temperature, swelling, firmness, or pain.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Questions about scars, mild ongoing swelling, activity, or return to work can usually wait for routine office hours or a planned follow-up appointment.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Reconstructive surgery. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.