Caring for a Surgical Wound

If you are planning to undergo surgery, it will be extremely important to make sure you properly care for the surgical wound after the procedure is complete. Doing so will not only help promote quicker healing, it will also help reduce the chances that an infection will develop. Here are some tips to help you care for the wound properly.

How to Do it

A surgical wound will typically heal in about two weeks or so, but it could take longer under certain circumstances. Your doctor will provide you with detailed information regarding how long it should take for your particular wound to completely heal. In the meantime, you will need to be vigilant in cleaning the area, changing your dressings properly and being alert to any signs of an infection or other complications. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to contact someone on your team of medical professionals.

Surgeons use several different methods of closing an incision, such as staples, stitches or even surgical glue. Your doctor will take out the staples after the wound has healed. Surgical glue usually comes off its own after around 5-10 days, while stitches will either be removed or dissolve.

Regardless of the technique used to close the incision, you will likely be asked to keep the wound elevated above your heart for a few days. This will not only speed healing, but will also reduce pain and swelling. Never pull on the glue, staples or stitches, and resist the urge to scratch any type of surgical wound that itches. If the itching becomes an issue, talk to your doctor about medication to relieve it.

If tape was used to close the incision, keep it away from direct exposure to sunlight. Should any bleeding occur, apply firm pressure with a clean towel or tissue for at least five minutes. Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room if the bleeding does not stop.

These tips just scratch the surface of the things you need to do in order to properly care for a surgical wound. The experts with DFW Wound Care can help ensure your wound heals properly so that you can get back to normal as quickly as possible. Contact us online or call us at 972-665-6292 (Plano) or 972-318-2383 (Lewisville) to schedule an appointment.