How long surgical wound heal

The type and location of the surgical procedure, your underlying health, and incisional care may all impact the time to heal. Whether the wound was left open or closed, it will still proceed through specific phases to achieve healing.

Normal surgical incision healing will proceed through several phases. The first phase involves the management of bleeding and begins in the operating room. Platelets in the blood cluster together making a type of plug, while proteins such as collagen and fibrin work together to firmly hold it in place to stop the bleeding.

During the next phase which can take up to 6 days after surgery, you may notice some pain, swelling, and slight redness. This is a normal response of the body to an injury. During this phase, the body focuses on destroying bacteria and removing debris with the influx of oxygen, nutrients, and white blood cells.

The white blood cells help to keep the wound clean and protect the wound by fighting off bacteria that may try to invade the wound. The rebuilding phase is one in which the body can start reparative activities to the damaged area. This phase lasts from about 4 days to a month after surgery. It includes the normal development of a thickening area along the incisional line indicating deposition of new collagen in the wound, often referred to as a healing ridge. This firmness will cover the entire incision line and begin to soften and flatten about weeks following surgery.

Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Poison is any substance that is harmful to your body.

You could breathe it in, swallow it, or absorb…. Many people love to shoot off fireworks. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Knee Bracing: What Works? Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke. Sore Muscles from Exercise. Ankle Sprains. Poison Ivy. Post-traumatic Stress After a Traffic Accident. What do I need in my first aid kit? Path to improved health After surgery, your doctor will tell you how to care for your incision.

His or her instructions might include: When to remove the bandage. In some cases, your bandage should be removed the day after surgery. This depends on the location of the surgery, the seriousness of the surgery, and incision.

However, you may decide to wear a bandage to protect the incision. Keep your incision dry. This is especially true for the first 24 hours. Avoid showering or bathing the first day. Try taking a sponge bath instead. Take a shower instead of a bath if you have stitches or skin tape on your incision. Gently towel-dry the incision after washing. Removing the stitches.

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Back to top Menu. Caring for a surgical wound. Expert reviewer, Mr Christian Macutkiewicz, Consultant General and Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Surgeon Next review due February Caring for a surgical wound is important to lower your risk of infection and ensure your wound heals in the best way possible. Wound healing Types of wound healing A surgical wound is a cut made to your skin and tissues during an operation.

How a wound heals In healthy people, most wounds heal within a couple of weeks but this can vary depending on the type of operation you had. The way a wound heals can be divided into several phases, which may overlap. Immediately after the cut, cells called platelets in your blood form clumps and release chemicals to stop the bleeding. In the first few days, blood flow to your wound increases and white blood cells arrive to fight infection and remove dead tissue.

New cells arrive to start repairing the wound. From three days to three weeks, new blood vessels grow to bring nutrients to your wound and new tissue starts to develop. Finally, from three weeks up to about a year, the new tissues laid down in the wound are gradually replaced and re-organised. Your scar gradually gets stronger, paler and more like normal skin. Before you remove the dressing, wash your hands with soap and water and then dry them. Carefully take off the dressing, trying not to touch the healing wound with your fingers.

Put the used dressing in the bin — you may want to put it in a waste bag first. You might then be able to leave your wound without a dressing. But you might like to keep one over the area for protection and comfort, particularly if your clothes are rubbing against it.

Your hospital may give you a replacement dressing to use at home. These creams may damage your tissue rather than help it heal. Stitches, clips and staples The medical term for stitches is sutures. Adhesive-strips Your surgeon may close your wound with strips that stick to your skin.

Skin glue Your surgeon may use skin glue to close your wound, especially if you have a small wound. Looking for prompt access to quality care? Surgical drains Your surgeon may put a temporary surgical drain in place during your operation. This could soften the scar tissue and cause your wound to reopen. Only have a bath if you can keep your wound out of the water. Remove any dressing before you have a bath or shower, unless your surgeon or nurse gives you different advice.

Some dressings are waterproof and can be left on. You can gently wash the area surrounding your wound with mild soap. You can let the shower water gently splash onto your healing wound. Dry the surrounding area carefully by patting it gently with a clean towel — but allow your wound to air dry. Keeping yourself healthy Your surgical wound stands the best chance of healing well if your body is as healthy as possible.

Smoking If you smoke, try to give up before you have your surgery. If your wound becomes infected, it may: become more painful feel tender look red, inflamed or swollen smell unpleasant Your wound might also leak or weep liquid, pus or blood.

You may also have a high temperature. For more information about wound infections see our FAQs below. Frequently asked questions Expand all. Did our information help you? Complete the survey. About our health information At Bupa we produce a wealth of free health information for you and your family.

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