Dressing Protocol After Surgery – Home Care

Follow these steps carefully to ensure proper wound healing and infection prevention.

1. Hand Hygiene (Very Important)

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

• Use hand sanitiser before touching the surgical area or any dressing materials.

2. Bathing Instructions

• Take a bath with Betadine scrub or mild antiseptic wash (only if advised).

• Do not scrub the incision forcefully.

• Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel.

3. Prepare a Clean Dressing Area

• Use a clean table or tray.

• Place dressing materials on a clean cloth or sterile field.

• Ensure good lighting so the wound is clearly visible.

4. Open Sterile Gauze

• Open the sterile gauze pack carefully.

• Do not touch the inside surface of the gauze.

• Keep it ready for use.

5. Clean the Wound

• Take a fresh gauze piece.

• Pour Betadine solution or the surgeon-recommended antiseptic onto the gauze.

• Gently clean the wound in one direction—do NOT wipe back and forth.

• Use additional gauze pieces if needed.

6. Remove Excess Antiseptic

• Use another clean gauze to gently wipe away extra Betadine.

• The area should be dry before applying ointment.

7. Apply Ointment

Use only the ointment prescribed by your surgeon / doctor at Adorn (e.g., Mucin / Fusidic acid / Mupirocin / Bacitracin, etc.)

• Apply a thin, even layer on the incision line.

• Do not over-apply or massage the ointment into the wound.

8. Apply Dressing

• Use Surgiwear dressing / sterile gauze + micropore tape or dressing advised by your surgeon.

• Place it gently over the wound.

• Secure with tape without pulling the skin too tightly.

9. Keep the Area Dry

• Avoid water contact unless the surgeon allows showering.

• If the dressing becomes wet, replace it immediately.

10. Frequency of Dressing

• Change dressing once daily or as advised.

• For oily skin or sweaty areas (chest, back, thigh), you may need to change twice daily.

11. Surrounding Skin Care

• once dressing done apply moisturiser and dusting powder on surrounding skin as per guided by Doctor.

12. Wear Pressure garment

• Wear pressure garment as advised. 

General Home Care Guidelines

✔ Avoid Strain

• No stretching or tension on the incision site.

• Avoid gym, heavy lifting, sudden movements.

✔ Wear Loose Clothing

• Prevent friction or pressure over the operated area.

✔ No Smoking & No Alcohol

• Both slow down healing and increase infection risk.

✔ Use Prescribed Antibiotics & Painkillers

• Do not skip doses.

Warning Signs – Contact Your Surgeon Immediately

❗ Increased redness or warmth

❗ Pus discharge

❗ Foul smell

❗ Sharp pain or increasing pain

❗ Fever above 100.4°F (38°C)

❗ Sudden opening of the wound

❗ Excessive bleeding

When Can You Stop Dressing?

• Once the wound is dry and fully healed (usually 7–14 days, depending on surgery).

• Continue scar-care protocol afterward.