Basic Wound Care Post Surgery
Once you return home from surgery, it’s imperative that you closely follow your doctor's directions to properly care for the surgical site. The guidelines below are general instructions given to most patients, but be sure to only explicitly follow the instructions provided by your doctor or surgeon. If you’re curious about what you may expect after surgery, keep on reading.
How do I take care of my wound after surgery?
Your bandage should be changed every 24 hours, and you should clean your wound every time you take off the bandage. Your doctor will give you directions on how to clean your wound. No matter what, do not soak the area or scrub the incision area, as doing so can reopen the wound. Gentle washing with pre-approved mild soaps is permissible.
To wash the wound:
- Wash your hands with mild soap before removing the bandage.
- Remove and discard the bandage.
- Wipe gently around the wound by using a soft cloth soaked in soapy water. You can also use a mixture of salt and water. Distilled water from the grocery store or pharmacy is recommended.
- Your doctor may also instruct you to clean the wound itself with a syringe of saltwater or mild soapy water to clear any debris that has built up.
- Gently pat (don’t rub) your wound dry using a clean cloth or gauze pad.
- After you clean your wound, wash your hands again with warm water and soap.
- Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.
How do I shower with bandages?
Your wound should stay dry and clean for the first 24 hours after surgery. Avoid showering for 24 hours after you return home. If your bandage does get wet, change it or blot it dry. Some wounds are covered by skin glue and do not require changing.
After the first 24 hours, it’s not a big deal if your incision gets splashed while showering. However, you should only take showers, as baths will soak your incision and risk it reopening.
Signs of infection you need to know
Proper wound care is highly effective at preventing infections, but prevention isn’t guaranteed. Call your doctor or surgeon if you are experiencing an abnormal amount of any of the following signs or symptoms:
- Worsening pain
- Redness around incision site
- Your wound looks larger, deeper, dried out, or dark
- Increasing drainage from the wound
- Bleeding or oozing pus
- Swelling
- Foul smell coming from incision
- Fever of at least 100.5 degrees
Should I avoid heavy lifting while my wound heals?
To prevent unnecessary pain and discomfort, avoid heavy lifting. The maximum amount you can safely lift after abdominal surgery is 15 pounds of weight for the first two weeks. For the two following weeks, you can lift at most 25 pounds. Your doctor may give you different instructions based on your surgery and requirements.
Can I take aspirin while my wound heals?
Unless otherwise instructed, avoid aspirin or any anti-inflammatory medications as they are blood thinners and may increase your risk of bleeding from the incision site during surgery or while in recovery. Stop taking the medication 10 days before surgery.
Post-wound care starts before the surgery
Follow the guidelines provided by your doctor or surgeon as your abdominal surgery approaches to ensure an easier recovery and successful wound care post-surgery. Some of the key steps for your surgery, such as fasting for a certain period beforehand and avoiding blood thinners, may start before you walk into the hospital.
If you won’t be recovering alone, you should familiarize your caretakers – perhaps a loved one or a professional home aid – with the above wound care rules. This way, you and your caretaker can start working toward a smooth recovery even before surgery begins. Lastly, go to all follow-up appointments to avoid unnecessary wound complications – you might think you’re doing great, but only a doctor can tell you what’s really going on below the surface.
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