Wound Care

Immediate Post-surgery

Immediately after surgery you will have an adhesive dressing on the surgical wound (for example Steristrips and Comfeel).  This is intended to be left in place for 5 days. Other wounds may be dressed with a combination Mesh/Glue (Prineo), which stays in place for 2-3 weeks. Depending on the procedure, the surgeon may place a larger pressure dressing over the wound or a drain in the surgical bed, with a drainage bag connected.  

Sutures

The majority of procedures will have a dissolvable sub-cutaneous (under the skin) suture, meaning there are no sutures to be removed.  However, should you have sutures that need to be removed, due to the wound needing stronger support, you will be advised by your surgeon when to have these removed.   For example, the face may have sutures for only 5 days, compared to the back, which may have sutures for 12 days. 

Scar Minimisation

After your wound has healed and your surgeon gives you the ‘all-clear’, we change our approach from wound healing, to scar minimisation.  This is to minimise the width and thickness of the scar and reduce the incidence of keloid scarring. Your surgeon may recommend prolonged dressing of the wound with a non-waterproof dressing (eg Fixomull, Hypafix, Micropore tape).   Additionally, you may be recommended to begin moisturising the wound, with some direct pressure massage. You can expect your wound to be red/pink for some months, before fading to your usual skin tone at approximately 9 months. Should your wound become red or painful (suggestive of infection) or purple and thick (suggestive of keloid scarring) please contact the practice for prompt review.