How to Take Care of Surgery Wounds

Taking care of your surgery wound can be a painful and potentially stressful job, yet it is a very important one. Taking proper care of a surgery wound can prevent infection and will allow the wound to heal faster and with less pain. The key to this is to follow the directions your doctor gives you, and ask questions about anything you do not understand.

Things You'll Need

• Soap and water
• Clean towel
• Plastic bag
• Saline solution
• Bandages
• Gauze pad
• Syringe

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially under the nails. Dry them with a clean towel.

• 2

  Carefully loosen the tape on the old dressing, and remove it slowly and gently.

• 3

  Put the old dressing into a plastic bag, and rewash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

• 4

  Put saline solution on a gauze pad and clean the wound gently. Try to remove any discharge from the wound without causing any damage to the tissue.

• 5

  If you have to wash out the wound itself, fill a syringe with soapy water and spray it into the wound to clean out any discharge. Do not damage the wound tissue. Gently dry the wound with a dry cloth. After you have finished cleaning the wound, wash your hands thoroughly.

• 6

  Apply a new, clean bandage in the same way that your doctor or nurse showed you. Wash your hands once more when finished.