Post-Op Instructions

You may experience some discomfort or low level pain. If able to, please take some paracetamol according to the instructions on the packet.

If you need more pain relief than this, please ring 111 for advice.

Please keep the wound clean and dry for at least 48 hours to reduce the chance of infection. Avoid washing the treated area or getting it wet for 48 hours.

If your dressing/plaster has partly come off, please remove it and keep wound dry, as a moist wound is more likely to become infected. You may replace the plaster with a clean one, or you can keep the wound exposed without dressing.

Do not pick off the scab: it will come off naturally when the skin underneath is ready. Simple moisturiser or Vaseline will help with healing and relieve itching.

Avoid scratching the wound as this can make the scar worse.

Limit any activities that can stretch the wound. For example, if the wound is on your shoulder, avoid lifting heavy items.

The wound may bleed a little after the surgery. Often this does not need any intervention. If the bleeding soaks through the dressing, apply constant pressure on the wound for 10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, please ring 111 or go to a local treatment centre for medical assessment.

On rare occasions, the wound can become infected. The symptoms of infection include moderate to severe pain, swelling, smelly thick pus like discharge. If you experience these symptoms please see or speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice.