About this topic
A surgical wound is a cut in the skin done by your doctor. It is also called an incision. A surgical cut is put back together carefully after surgery. The stitches or sutures can be above the skin or right under the skin. Some stitches need to be taken out. Others melt away or dissolve as the wound heals. In some cases, staples are used. These are only used to fix cuts on the outside of the skin. Sometimes, a special glue is used to hold the skin together, especially if the wound in on the face. ‚
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What will the results be?
Taking good care of your surgical wound may: ‚
- Help with healing
- Lower the risk of infection
- Lower pain
- Prevent a large scar
What care is needed at home?
Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do. ‚
Any cut made on the skin gives germs easy access to cause an infection. A wound infection can start from 2 days to 3 weeks after surgery. The infection may spread deeper in the body if it is not treated. You will start to feel unwell and serious health problems may happen. An infection may also cause the cut to open up again. These things may help you prevent an infection: ‚
- Wash your hands before and after touching your cut site. Use soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your wound. Most often your doctor will ask you to:
- Keep your wound clean and dry for the first 24 hours. You can take a shower after 48 hours or when your doctor tells you to. You may use soap and water to wash your wound. Make sure not to soak it. Gently towel-dry the wound afterwards.
- Change your dressing each day. Also, change it if it is wet or dirty.
- When there is no drainage from the cut sites, you can leave them open.
- You need to take the whole course of the drugs that your doctor will give to you.
What follow-up care is needed?
If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Stop or lessen smoking.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Follow a healthy diet.
- Eat many different foods rich in nutrients from all food groups.
- Stay away from sugars and fats. Limit sweets and fatty foods such as desserts, fried foods, and chips. Use good fats found in fish, nuts, avocados, and oils, like olive oil and canola oil. Cut back on solid fats (butter, lard, margarine).
- Try to eat more low fat or lean meats. Eat less red meat and eat more fish, chicken, turkey, and beans instead.
- Drink 6 to 8 cups of water each day unless your doctor has told you to limit your fluids.
- Avoid swimming and hot tubs.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Help wound healing
Will physical activity be limited?
- Movement may be limited if your wound is in an area that you use a lot. These areas are more likely to break open. Take extra care if you have a wound on a place like your hand, elbow, or knee.
- Avoid stretching and pulling activities. These may cause your scar to pull apart. Call your doctor if this happens.
- Ask your doctor when it is safe for you to do things like run, work out, or play sports.
What problems could happen?
- Infection of the whole body. This is sepsis.
- Poorly healed wound may leave big scars.
- The wound may spontaneously open or break away from the stitches or staples. This is wound dehiscence.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal, pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
Helpful tips
- Wear loose clothing. Good blood supply is important for healing. You may also be more comfortable.
- Do not remove your bandages unless your doctor says so.
- If your wound suddenly bleeds, apply pressure to help stop the bleeding. See you doctor right away.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my wound.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/caring-for-your-incision-after-surgery.printerview.all.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚