Postoperative wound care (skin surgery wound care)

After surgery, there will be a dressing in place.  Usually, this consists of ointment, non-stick gauze, bulky gauze to apply pressure, and tape to keep it in place.  This dressing should remain on the wound for 24-48 hours, and must be kept dry.

Remember "RICE"

Rest, Ice Compresses, and Elevation.

Rest: Take it easy.  No heavy lifting, bending over (which increases pressure) or straining.

Ice: Apply ice to the area the night after surgery to limit swelling and discomfort.  Ice in a Ziplock bag, frozen pea bag, or moldable ice pack work well.  Ensure the dressing does not get wet.

Compression: Your bandage should help with this.  If the surgery was on the leg, an Ace wrap worn during waking hours will greatly speed healing.  Ace wraps should be snug, not tight, and removed at night.

Elevation:  Keep the area of surgery elevated as much as possible.  If the surgery was on the head, sleep the first night with extra pillows or in a reclining chair.

Wound Care

Remove the original dressing after 24-48 hours.  It is normal to have oozing on the bandage.  Use a clean washcloth, and wash gently with soap and water to remove crust and oozing, and then apply ointment.  Vaseline petroleum ointment is best, but if you are not allergic, Polysporin, double antibiotic, or Neosporin work well.  You may need to apply ointment to the wound several times a day.  Repeat this wound care daily.

Sutures are usually removed in 5-10 days.

Keep ointment on the area of surgery (apply thin layer several times daily) for several weeks after suture removal to keep the area lubricated.  After 4-6 weeks, when the scar is not inflamed (red, sore, and swollen), gentle massage of the scar can reduce its thickness.  Apply ointment and rub along the scar with your thumb or finger firmly, approximately 50 strokes twice daily.

Often, after several weeks, it is possible to feel one or more small bumps along the middle of the scar line.  This is from buried stitches, which the body must absorb.  Sometimes, these stitches 'spit' and the skin rejects them like a splinter.  They can then be gently removed.

Infection
Redness, warmth, soreness, and some oozing are normal after surgery.  If pain increases after 2-3 days, redness expands, the oozing becomes pus, or a fever develops, you may have an infection.  Call your surgeon's office for further instructions.