Ingrown Toenail Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Your Procedure

Approaching any surgical process can be intimidating, but at Harley Street Nail Specialist Clinic, we are of the opinion that knowing your facts beforehand can go a long way in alleviating any fears. In case you are soon to undergo ingrown toenail surgery in London, you can be sure that we have made our process as easy and comfortable as possible. Here is a concise rundown of what to anticipate on the day of your surgery.

Before You Arrive: Easy Preparations

In order to make everything go smoothly, we ask our patients to abide by a couple of simple rules prior to their appointment:

● Medication and Alcohol: Keep all of your usual medications as you would normally, unless we have specifically instructed otherwise. It's best to avoid having alcohol at least 24 hours prior to your surgery.

● Nail Varnish: Do make sure all varnish is cleaned from the trouble toe. This enables us to accurately check over the area and prepare it for the procedure.

● Footwear: You will have a dressing over your toes following the operation, and this may be a bit cumbersome. We suggest you bring along suitable open-toe footwear, for example, flip-flops or loose sandals, to change comfortably into at home.

● Eating and Drinking: You may eat and drink as usual before your procedure.

● Driving: For safety reasons, you will not be allowed to drive directly after your procedure as a result of the local anaesthetic. We highly recommend that you make arrangements to get someone else to drive you home or arrange a taxi.

On the Day: Your Journey with Us

When you come to Harley Street Nail Specialist Clinic for your ingrown toenail surgery in London, our welcoming staff will welcome you and walk you through the process.

● Paperwork and Consultation

There will be a minimal amount of paperwork to fill out, and we'll take your medical history and any medications that you take. It is also a time for you to ask any last-minute questions. We want you to be absolutely comfortable and knowledgeable before we start.

● Local Anaesthetic Application

The operation is carried out under local anaesthetic, so your toe will be numb, but you'll remain awake. We take great care when administering the anaesthetic, and although you may experience a stinging sensation at first, this soon wears off as the area numbs. It may take a while for the anaesthetic to have its full effect, so we take plenty of time.

● The Procedure Itself

After your toe has been completely numbed, our qualified podiatrist will go ahead and perform the operation. This usually consists of removing the causative part of the ingrown toenail and, in most instances, applying a chemical to inhibit regrowth. The operation itself is typically extremely brief, being as short as a few minutes. You may experience some pressure, but no pain.

● Post-Procedure Dressing

Once the nail bed is removed, we will dress the wound with a sterile dressing. The dressing is placed to cover and help in the initial healing.

Going Home and What to Expect

You can be sent home the same day. When the anaesthetic wears off, typically after a couple of hours, you might feel a bit of discomfort or tenderness. We advise resting with your foot up for the rest of the day to ease swelling. We will give you precise aftercare advice, including how to cope with any pain using over-the-counter relievers and when to re-change your dressing.

Our staff at Harley Street Nail Specialist Clinic is here to guide you every step of the way, making your ingrown toenail surgery in London a rewarding and successful experience.