What You Should Do After Surgery

Any time that the skin is surgically incised, an injury has occurred to the skin that needs time to heal. It is essential that you take adequate rest and keep the affected area elevated as much as possible to assist in reducing swelling, discomfort and tension on the sutures.

If you require pain-relieving medication, paracetamol (Panadol) is best and should be taken regularly. This can be safely combined with an anti-inflammatory medication such as Brufen for excellent pain relief. In general it is best to take pain relief medication regularly in the first 24-48 hours after surgery even if you feel it is not necessary. It is much easier to keep the discomfort under control with regular pain medication than to try and catch up with extra medication should the pain become worse. Please take any prescribed antibiotics as directed.

For some procedures such as face & neck lift, breast surgery, abdominoplasty, and liposuction, specially designed surgical garments are recommended which help to dissipate swelling and bruising more quickly. They are best worn for a minimum of 2 weeks and up to 4-6 weeks postoperatively. 

The technique of wound closure and suturing depends on the body location. I will provide you with clear instructions regarding the dressing after surgery. Please contact us if you have increasing discomfort in the wound or feel the dressings require changing sooner than originally planned.