Understanding Wound Types and Healing
After surgery, your wound may be closed with either sutures (stitches) or staples. We will focus on caring for a simple post-operative skin wound that was closed with sutures or staples. Keep in mind that the information here may not apply to other types of wounds.
It takes time for a skin wound to completely heal, and the scar that forms can take up to 2 years to fully settle. It's important to follow your surgeon's instructions to ensure the best healing outcome and avoid complications like the wound reopening, infection, or bad scarring.
dressings
After your surgery, your wound will most likely be covered with a dressing. This dressing sticks to the skin and covers the wound completely. It is waterproof, so you can shower with the dressing on as long as you don't disturb it. However, you should avoid bathing or swimming until the wound is fully healed.
The purpose of the dressing is not to heal the wound itself. Its main function is to protect your clothes from any discharge and keep the wound clean and dry. If the dressing gets wet, loose, dirty, or if there is any discharge from the wound, you should change it with a fresh dressing. You can buy new dressings from a pharmacy or chemist.
The best way to change the dressing is during a shower. Peel off the old dressing and rinse the wound with running water. After the shower, pat the wound dry with a clean towel and apply a new dressing. After 5-7 days, your wound may not need to be covered anymore, unless there is ongoing discharge. In that case, you should have it checked by a doctor or nurse. Remember, skin wounds heal best when they are kept clean and dry.
wound complications
In general, clean surgical wounds heal well. However, in some cases, the wound can become infected or reopen (dehisce). Certain conditions like being overweight, having diabetes, kidney or lung disease, receiving cancer treatment, or smoking can increase the risk of wound infection.
If the wound becomes infected, it usually happens 3-5 days after surgery. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, and increased tenderness around the wound. If this happens, it's important to see your doctor or go to the emergency department. You may need antibiotics or a small procedure to drain the wound.
If the wound reopens, it can often be closed again with sutures, as long as it is clean and not infected. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if this occurs.