Comprehensive wound care is important, particularly after surgery as your body is trying to recuperate. Since open wounds increase your risk of infection and bleeding, Stephen Brooks, MD, FACS, RPVI, provides expert wound care services at Cape Cod Surgical Associates in Hyannis, Massachusetts. If you need medical wound care help, don’t hesitate to book an evaluation as soon as possible. Click on the online booking tool, or call to schedule a visit by phone.
Your skin, your largest organ, is your body’s first line of defense. It protects you from harmful invaders, including bacteria and viruses. But any opening in your skin, even if it’s small, is considered a weak point where harmful organisms can sneak inside.
Comprehensive wound care is vital as soon as a wound occurs and throughout every stage of your recovery after surgery. You need to follow proper wound care steps to:
Wound care is particularly important if you have a weakened immune system due to diabetes, poor circulation, or cancer treatments, to name a few.
The providers at Cape Cod Surgical Associates counsel you about how to care for your surgical wound after your procedure. Although some minor bruising, numbness, pain, and even itching are normal side effects of proper wound healing, if they become cumbersome or worsen, let your surgeon know.
It’s important to come in to Cape Cod Surgical Associates for a wound care evaluation if your wound is:
You also need to come in to Cape Cod Surgical Associates as soon as possible if you experience nausea, vomiting, or fever. These are all warning signs of a wound infection.
Your dedicated surgeon at Cape Cod Surgical Associates counsels you about how to care for your wound at home. With proper care, in general, surgical wounds should seal within about 48 hours.
Most wound care treatment plans require you to wash your hands and:
Your surgeon performs these steps for you in the office and teaches you about your unique wound care needs. Usually, you need to follow these wound care steps daily, although your surgeon might recommend waiting for a couple of days after surgery to begin wound care treatment.
Some types of surgical sutures and adhesives dissolve naturally within a couple of weeks. If you need sutures or staples removed, the team at Cape Cod Surgical Associates schedule you for a follow-up visit about 10-14 days after your procedure.
Cape Cod Surgical Associates provides comprehensive wound care services. Learn more by booking a wound care appointment online or by phone today.
