Bandage Care & Hygiene

• Your insertion site has been covered with two layers of bandages. They should not be removed for 3 days.

• Do not take baths or use a hot tub and/or swimming pool for 3 days.

• You may shower, but avoid scrubbing the site until the incision is healed (about 7 days).

Comfort, Swelling & Healing

• Keep a cold pack on the insertion area for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for the next 4-5 hours.

• The sodium bicarbonate in the anesthetic may cause the site to swell for 1-3 days; this is normal.

• You may experience bruising, swelling, or redness of the insertion site which may last a few days.

• The insertion site may be uncomfortable for 2 to 3 weeks.

• You may notice a pinkish discharge or bloody discoloration of the outer bandage, which is normal.

• If you have bleeding from the incision site, apply firm pressure for 5 minutes.

Activity Restrictions

• No major exercises for the next 3 days. This includes, but is not limited to, running and riding bicycles.

Medication & Follow-Up

• Take your Progesterone at bedtime.

• Take 1 DIM at bedtime.

• It is very important for proper dosing of your hormones to have an appointment for blood work 4 weeks after the procedure if necessary.

• Your pellets may last 4-5 months after insertion. Your follow-up pellet is in 4 months, or as soon as you feel the symptoms the pellets relieved.

Potential Side Effects

• Fluid Retention: This is a temporary condition. Swelling of hands and feet is common in humid weather and can be treated by upping your water intake, reducing your salt intake, taking apple cider vinegar tablets daily, or by taking a mild diuretic the office can prescribe.

• Mood Swings or Irritability: These may occur if you were extremely deficient in hormones, but this is temporary and will disappear when your hormones reach their peak.

• Facial Breakouts: You may experience some pimples if you were very deficient in hormones. This lasts a short period of time and can be handled with a good facial cleanser; if it does not clear up, please call the office for further treatment.

• Hair Loss: This is rare and usually occurs in patients who convert testosterone to DHT. Dosage adjustment can reduce or eliminate this problem, and prescription medications may be necessary on rare occasions.

• Hair Growth: Testosterone may stimulate some growth of hair on your chin, chest, nipple, and/or lower abdomen, which tends to be hereditary. You may also have to shave your legs and arms more often. Dosage adjustment normally will reduce or eliminate the problem.

When to Call the Office Immediately

• If there is itching or redness at the site.

• If bleeding (not oozing) continues, or if there is pus coming from the site.