All wounds go through several
stages of healing, and you may
be able to see these changes
as they progress.
1. Inflammation - days 1-5 (not
same as infection):
reddening, swelling, clear
non-smelly discharge and
slight pain.
2. Formation of scab – days 5
- 14: a protective covering.
3. Strengthening & flattening of
scar tissue – day 14 onwards
The following often occur and
are normal:
• Tingling or slight itching
• Slight lumpy feeling as the
new tissue forms
• Bruising around the wound
• Pulling feeling around your
stitches
If bleeding occurs when you
get home, take a clean tissue
or towel and apply firm steady
pressure directly on the wound
for at least 5 minutes. Repeat
this several times but if
bleeding does not stop or is
increasing, go to your GP or
nearest A&E department.
The stitches
Your surgical wound is closed
in one of these three ways:
◊ Stitches
Your stitches should be
removed on: ______________
by your GP practice nurse
other ____________
If your practice nurse is
removing the stitches, you will
have been given a referral
letter to take to her. Please
book an appointment to see
her as soon as you can.
◊ Absorbable stitches
These will disintegrate over
time and will not need
removing. This may take
several months, and parts of
the stitch may be outside the
skin. You may need to book an
appointment for your practice
nurse to check the wound.
◊ Steri-strips / Butterflies
These are strips of adhesive
tape. Do not pull them off -
they will fall off when their job
is done!
The dressing
You will normally have some
kind of dressing on your wound
immediately after your
procedure. The type of
dressing will be discussed with
you before you leave.
◊ Mepore / micropore tape /
steri-strips
This dressing is not waterproof
so it is important that you do
not get it wet for the first 2
days. Unless you are advised
otherwise, you can remove it
then (do not remove steri-
strips) and have a shower, but
avoid soaking in the bath until
your stitches are out.
◊ Airstrip / tegaderm / opsite
This dressing is water-
resistant, so you can have a
shower or wash whenever you
like, but avoid soaking in the
bath. It will peel off by itself
after a while. When it does you
can leave your wound open to
the air.
◊ Pressure dressing
This is sometimes applied to
put pressure on the wound to
stop bleeding or prevent a
haematoma developing. You
can remove this after 24-48 hrs
unless advised otherwise. This
is not waterproof.
Other information
Avoid the use of scented soap,
talc, shower gel or lotions
around you wound as it can
cause irritation.
Ensure that you carefully pat
your wound dry with a clean
towel.
Do not touch your wound and
do not pull the scab off as it
protects the underlying tissue!
If the surgery has been on a
limb (ie finger, hand, foot),
please ensure that the affected
limb is elevated for the first day
unless advised otherwise.
Possible
complications
The following symptoms are
signs of infection - if you
experience any of them, you
should contact your GP as
soon as possible.
• Offensive odour or excessive
pus/discharge
• Swelling
• Redness
• Increasing pain, throbbing or
heat in the wound area
• Spontaneous bleeding Care of your
• If the wound breaks down surgical wound
• If you are feeling unwell and
have temperature at home
If you have any further
questions, contact your GP or
us in the Day surgery unit.
Our direct line: 020 7830 2665
Your named nurse today was:
.................................................
Day Surgery Unit
© Day surgery unit / Patient 1st floor
information programme 2004 Direct line 020 7830 2665
www.royalfree.nhs.uk Monday-Thursday 8am-7pm
Friday 8am-5pm