Wound Care After Surgery: A Patient’s Guide to Healing Safely
Simple, doctor-guided tips for wound care after surgery to help you heal safely and avoid infection.
In short: After gynaecological surgery a protective layer forms over the wound within the first days. Keep it clean, do not touch it with unwashed hands, wear loose clothing, and do not rub or soak it when you wash. Mild swelling, numbness and itching are normal; severe pain, spreading redness or foul-smelling discharge mean seeing the doctor.
- Serious wounds do not heal overnight; it takes the body several weeks to regenerate new tissue. So after you leave the hospital, good home care is important to prevent infection and minimize scarring.
- Your doctor will give you clear instructions on how to care for your wound once you go home. In general, patients should follow these steps:
- Keep the wound covered with a clean dressing until there is no more fluid draining from it. Your doctor will show you how to change your dressing properly.
- Most patients can shower safely about 48 hours after surgery, gently patting the wound dry afterwards. Since every case is different, always ask your doctor when it is safe for you to shower again.
- Avoid soaking in the bathtub or swimming until your next doctor visit. Dirt in the water could get into the wound and cause infection, and there is also a risk that the wound could reopen if it becomes too wet.
- Do not let pets near the wound area.
- Avoid picking or scratching at scabs. The area may itch as the skin underneath heals, but picking or scratching can damage the new, healing tissue.
Our bodies depend on vitamins and minerals to heal properly. Eat healthy, balanced meals and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid constipation, which can add strain during recovery.
Scars can take some time to fade. To help support healing and comfort, try gently massaging the area with a moisturizing lotion once your doctor confirms it is safe to do so.
Should I limit my activities?
It is best to avoid movements that put strain on the area around your wound. This helps lower the risk of the wound reopening or healing improperly.
Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for about a month after surgery, or as advised by your doctor.
When will I get my stitches removed?
If you have dissolvable stitches, you will not need to have them removed — depending on the type, they usually start to loosen within one to three weeks and may take several weeks to disappear completely. Non-dissolvable stitches are usually removed between 5 and 21 days after surgery, depending on the type of procedure you had.
When to Call a Doctor?
Contact your doctor right away if you notice any of the following:
- You develop a fever.
- You have increasing pain despite taking pain medication, or the pain spreads beyond the wound area.
- The area around the wound becomes more swollen.
- There is spreading redness around the wound, or red streaks appear on the surrounding skin.
- You notice blood or pus draining from the wound.
- You have signs of dehydration, such as dark urine, a dry mouth, or sunken eyes.
If you have any concerns about your recovery after gynaecological or fertility-related surgery, the team at Dr. Najeeb Layyous’s clinic is here to guide you through every step of your healing journey.
Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G
Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist
We’re grateful for dealing with such a physician — he’s very caring and deals with each case separately. We would’ve loved to spend more time with him, however he was never in a hurry during our given time.