Wound Care After Surgery
Plastic surgery wound care is crucial, regardless of procedure. With proper wound care, a patient can minimize the risk of complications in the days and weeks after treatment. Plus, effective after-surgery care improves a patient’s chances of getting the best-possible results from their procedure.
Why Is Post-Surgery Wound Care Important?
There are many reasons to prioritize plastic surgery wound care, including:
1. Infection
Proper wound care ensures a plastic surgery patient can see the progress of their wound and change any dressings and bandages as needed. As such, caring for a surgical wound can lower the risk of infection following plastic surgery.
2. Recovery Time
If left uncovered, a wound won’t necessarily heal correctly following plastic surgery. But, effective wound care ensures a patient’s plastic surgery wound can heal properly, which can speed up the recovery process.
3. Scarring
A wound can get itchy and irritated if it remains uncovered after a plastic surgery procedure is performed. On the other hand, a patient who uses antibiotic ointment and covers their wound following plastic surgery can lower their risk of itchiness and irritation that otherwise leads to significant scarring.
Wound Care Tips for Plastic Surgery Patients
When it comes to plastic surgery wound care, there are many things that patients can do to keep their wounds clean, including:
- Use a soft cloth or gauze pad to keep the skin around the wound clean
- Avoid skin cleansers, antibacterial soaps, or any other products that can inadvertently harm the skin
- Follow post-surgery wound care instructions
At the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh teaches plastic surgery patients about after-surgery wound care. Along with providing post-surgery wound care tips and instructions, he answers common wound care questions from his patients.
Wound Care FAQ
Is it necessary to keep a wound dry after plastic surgery?
Patients should try to keep their wound dry for at least 24 hours following plastic surgery. If possible, patients should shower or bathe before they undergo plastic surgery.
Most plastic surgery patients can take a bath or shower the day after surgery. It is usually better to shower than take a bath after surgery; this is due to the fact that soaking a wound in water for an extended period of time can cause it to open.
When can a plastic surgery bandage be removed?
The length of time a bandage should stay on a wound can vary based on the plastic surgery procedure. Dr. Azizzadeh will explain how long a patient should keep their bandage in place following plastic surgery.
Generally, a bandage is only required for a few days after plastic surgery. Dr. Azizzadeh can provide instructions to ensure a patient knows how to change their bandage as well.
Will I need to limit my activities until my wound fully heals?
Dr. Azizzadeh often recommends patients avoid lifting heavy objects or performing other strenuous activities immediately following plastic surgery. These activities can affect the area surrounding a wound and cause a cut to pull apart.
What should I do if my wound starts to bleed?
In the event that a wound starts to bleed after surgery, don’t panic. Instead, apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding and place a bandage over the wound. If the bleeding persists, call a doctor for emergency help.
Should I keep my wound out of the sun after plastic surgery?
Extended sun exposure can cause a scar to darken and make it more noticeable as a wound heals after plastic surgery. So, a wound should be kept out of sunlight as much as possible for at least six months following surgery. To avoid prolonged sun exposure, plastic surgery patients can cover their wound with a bandage or tape.
Learn More About Wound Care from Dr. Azizzadeh
Dr. Azizzadeh can teach patients about plastic surgery and wound care that follows treatment. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh, please contact us online or call us today at 310-657-2203.