If you’ve had surgery, what you do (or don’t do) once you get home is crucial to ensure that you heal properly and avoid getting an infection. How you care for your wound can also make a big difference in the appearance of your scar.
This post-surgery wound care guide will help you understand why it is important to properly care of your incision after surgery and take the guesswork out of any post-op wound care concerns you might have, including a step-by-step guide to the frequently asked question of how to properly change a wound dressing (bandage) at home.
Why Post Surgery Wound Care is Important
Taking care of a wound after surgery is crucial for a few reasons. First, proper wound care helps prevent infections, which can slow down your healing process and lead to potentially serious complications.
Good wound care can also minimize scarring. When wounds are cared for properly, they heal better and leave less noticeable scars. This is important not only for cosmetic reasons but also for ensuring the skin remains strong and flexible.
Proper wound care also reduces pain and discomfort following surgery. If you don’t take care of your incision site, it could become irritated and inflamed, making your recovery less comfortable.
How Surgical Wounds Heal
Healing happens in several stages. Understanding these stages and knowing exactly how surgical wounds heal can help you better understand why it’s essential to carefully follow all
post-surgery wound care guidelines.
1. Hemostasis
Within the first few minutes to hours after surgery, your body works to stop any bleeding. Blood clots form at the site of the wound, which helps prevent further blood loss.
2. Inflammation
Many people hear the word inflammation and assume it’s always a bad thing. Excessive inflammation can indeed be problematic, but a certain amount is normal and a necessary part of the healing process.
During this stage, which typically lasts from the first few hours up to about four days after surgery, your body sends white blood cells to the wound to fight off germs and begin the cleaning process. This is why the area might look red and feel warm— it’s a sign that your body is working to prevent infection.
3. Proliferation
Next, it’s time to rebuild for a few weeks. During this phase, your body starts to produce new tissue. Collagen, a type of protein, forms at the wound site, providing a healthy base for new skin to grow. Blood vessels also begin to form, which supply the area with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to heal.
4. Maturation
Finally, the new tissue gradually begins to strengthen. Depending on the wound’s size and location, this can last from a few weeks to a year or more. The wound may look pink and slightly raised for a while, but over time, it will flatten and look more like the surrounding skin.
How Long Should You Care for Your Wound Following Surgery?
There isn’t a set number of days you can expect to care for your wound. The healing time frame varies from person to person and depends on many factors, including the type of surgery, your overall health, and how well you follow your wound care instructions.
Your surgical team will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your wound and an estimated time frame it should take to heal. They will also schedule necessary follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your progress. During these appointments, your surgeon will assess your healing and give you the green light when you are fully healed.
How to Properly Care for Your Wound Following Surgery
For the most part, how fast and how well you heal following surgery is in your hands. If you adhere to your surgeon’s orders, attend all follow-up appointments, and follow these simple guidelines below, you shouldn’t have any issues.
1: Keep Your Incision Dry
Water can introduce bacteria to the incision site, increasing the risk of complications. You should try your best not to get your wound wet, especially while showering or bathing.
Unless your surgeon provides other instructions, you can use a waterproof bandage or cover the area with plastic wrap and secure it with tape to keep moisture out. If the area gets wet, gently pat it dry, and change the bandage immediately if it becomes soaked.
2: Keep Your Incision Clean
Keeping your incision and the area around it clean is critical for proper healing. Always wash your hands before touching the incision to avoid introducing germs and bacteria.
Clean the wound as directed by your healthcare provider, usually with mild soap and water.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or antiseptics that can irritate the wound.
3: Keep Your Incision Covered
Keeping your incision covered helps keep it clean and dry and prevents sutures or staples from catching on clothing, which could cause irritation or reopen the wound.
Many people ask how long they need to keep their surgical incision covered following surgery. Unless otherwise directed by your surgical team, you should keep it covered up until your follow-up appointment.
4: Regularly Change Bandage
Changing your bandage helps prevent infection and promotes a better environment for your wound to heal. Depending on your doctor’s instructions, you may need to change your bandage daily or only when it gets dirty or wet.
How to Change a Bandage
Changing a bandage properly isn’t hard, but it is important that you do it properly. Here are the steps you should follow:
Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need:
- Sterile gauze pads
- Medical gloves
- Surgical tape
- A plastic bag
- Scissors
- Prepare the Materials
Open the gauze pad packages and pre-cut strips of surgical tape to make the process smoother.
Sanitize Your Hands
You need to have a sterile environment. Thoroughly wash and dry your hands and put on a pair of medical gloves.
Remove the Old Bandage
Carefully loosen the tape around the existing bandage. Gently remove the old bandage without touching the wound.
Clean the Incision
If instructed by your doctor, clean the incision using these steps and instructions:
- Gently wash the area with soap and water to remove any crust. Avoid scrubbing or soaking the wound.
- Do not use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine, as they can damage tissue and delay healing.
- Let the incision air-dry or gently pat it dry with a clean towel before applying the new bandage.
Apply a New Bandage
Being careful not to touch the wound with your hands, hold a clean, sterile gauze pad by one corner and gently place it over the incision. Secure the gauze with strips of surgical tape.
Properly dispose of your old bandage and supplies, wash your hands and you are done!
5: Watch For Infection
Changing your bandage frequently also gives you the opportunity to inspect your incision to ensure there are no signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or unusual discharge.
If you notice any of these signs, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early detection of an infection can prevent more serious complications.
6: Support Your Immune System
Supporting your immune system can significantly aid in your recovery. This is especially important if you have a medical condition like diabetes, which can slow healing.
Ensure you get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and try to keep stress levels low. Regular gentle exercise, if approved by your doctor, can also help boost your immune system.
7: Do Not Smoke
Smoking or using tobacco products is well known to slow healing and increase the risk of complications. You should avoid, or at the very least, cut back on smoking or using tobacco products during your recovery period.
8: Limit Activities
Limit movement surrounding your incision to lessen the risk of the wound opening. Light movement should be fine, but avoiding heavy lifting, exercise, or sports is suggested until your incision is completely healed.
9: Avoid Sun Exposure
New skin is more sensitive to sunlight. Your scar will be more prone to sunburn and could result in further scarring if you aren’t careful. You should limit your time in the sun and avoid exposing your wound to direct sunlight for several months following surgery.
10: Do Not Wear Tight Clothing
Tight clothing around your incision can irritate the wound and restrict airflow, which is necessary for healing. Opt for loose, breathable fabrics that allow the area to stay dry and comfortable.
11: Never Pick or Scratch Your Wound
Your wound may become itchy as it heals, but it’s important not to pick or scratch it. Doing so can reopen the wound, introduce bacteria, and increase the risk of infection. If the itching is severe, talk to your doctor about safe ways to get some relief.
12: Get Lots of Rest
Rest is essential for recovery. Your body needs extra energy to heal, so make sure to get enough sleep each night and take naps if needed. Avoid strenuous activities and listen to your body’s signals that you are overdoing it.
13: Eat a Nutritious Diet
Eating a nutritious diet ensures your body has the essential nutrients it needs to heal. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your diet. Foods rich in vitamins A and C, zinc, and protein are particularly beneficial for wound healing.
14: Hydrate
Remember to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain skin elasticity, which can aid in wound healing. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and more if you are active or if it’s hot outside.
15: Don’t Miss Follow-Up Appointments
The follow-up appointments your surgical team schedules are very important. These visits allow your doctor to monitor your healing progress and address any issues that might arise. They can check for signs of infection, ensure the wound is healing correctly, and make any necessary adjustments to your post-op instructions.
What to do if Your Wound Bleeds
Some bleeding at the incision site is normal. If you notice bleeding, apply direct pressure to the area using a clean cloth or sterile gauze. Hold the pressure for a few minutes to help stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding slows or stops, you can replace the bloody dressing with a new, sterile one.
If the bleeding does not stop after applying pressure or if it is heavy, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
What to do if Your Wound Looks Infected
If you believe that your wound is infected, contact your doctor immediately. Early treatment is crucial to prevent the infection from getting worse and leading to further complications.
Signs of infection include increased redness, swelling, warmth around the incision, unusual discharge (like pus), or a foul odor. You might also experience increased pain or a fever.
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, keep the wound clean and dry, and never apply any ointments or medications unless directed by your doctor.
What to do if Your Stitches or Sutures Come Undone
Do not panic or try to fix your stitches or sutures yourself. Cover the area with a clean, sterile gauze pad and contact your surgeon or a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
They will guide you on what to do next, which might include following a few simple instructions at home, or they might need to see you to re-close the wound.
When to Call Your Surgeon
If you are ever in doubt about something or have a question, please never hesitate to give us a call. However, if you experience any of the following, you should call your surgeon or other healthcare provider ASAP:
- Persistent or worsening pain (especially if you aren’t getting relief from prescribed pain medication.)
- Signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, unusual discharge, or a foul odor.
- Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop with direct pressure.
- Stitches or sutures that come undone or if the wound reopens.
- Fever above 100.4°F (38°C).
Conclusion
Proper wound care after surgery is crucial for a smooth recovery and for reducing the likelihood of significant scarring.
If you’ve recently undergone surgery or are the caregiver of someone who has, and you have additional questions about the best ways to care for a wound following surgery, our experts at the advanced wound care clinic at The Surgical Clinic are always happy to help.
If you have any questions or concerns, or want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Neal and his team of advanced wound care experts in Middle Tennessee, please contact one of our wound centers in Nashville, Smyrna, or Hermitage, Tn.