Postoperative Wound Care & Wound Packing: Complete Guide for Healing After Surgery

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sergio Hernandez, MD

Board-Certified General Surgeon

Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch, Florida

Postoperative wound care is essential for promoting healing, preventing infection, and minimizing complications after surgery. How you care for your surgical site at home — including wound packing when indicated — can significantly influence recovery outcomes. In this guide, Dr. Sergio Hernandez, a board-certified general surgeon in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, explains step-by-step instructions for effective wound care and when to contact your surgeon.

Why Postoperative Wound Care Matters

After surgery, your body begins the healing process immediately. Proper wound care helps:

• Prevent infection

• Reduce inflammation and discomfort

• Support healthy tissue healing

• Minimize scarring and complications

Even small lapses in care—such as touching the wound without clean hands or skipping dressing changes—can delay healing.

Postoperative wound care Instructions

How to Change a Bandage

Changing a bandage isn’t tricky, but following the correct steps is essential for reducing infection

Gather Your Supplies

Before starting, make sure you have everything you need:

• Sterile gauze pads

• Medical gloves

• Surgical tape

• A plastic bag

• Scissors

• Q-tips or instruments

Lay out your supplies on a clean surface to make the process smoother. Watch this helpful video for further guidance.

Steps for Changing a Bandage

How to Keep Your Surgical Wound Clean

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching your wound.

• Remove the Dressing covering the wound.

• Clean the area gently with mild soap and water, unless otherwise instructed.

• Avoid hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, iodine, or harsh antiseptics unless directed by your surgeon.

• Pat the area dry with a clean towel—do not rub.

Your surgeon will let you know when showering is allowed and whether the incision should remain covered.

Watch for Signs of Infection

While changing the bandage, inspect the incision for signs of infection, such as:

• Increased redness, swelling, or warmth around the wound

• Unusual discharge (yellow or bloody is normal; green or foul-smelling fluid may indicate infection)

• Persistent pain or fever

If you suspect an infection, contact your surgeon immediately. Early detection can prevent more severe complications. You can send a picture of your wound through the patient portal for a quick assessment by Dr. Hernandez.

Supporting Healing at Home

Your daily habits matter during recovery:

• Stay well hydrated

• Eat a protein-rich, balanced diet

• Avoid smoking or nicotine products

• Get adequate rest

• Protect healing skin from sun exposure

• Don;t wear Tight clothing

• Don't scratch of pick the wound

These steps help your body repair tissue more efficiently.

Additional Care Instructions

Wound Bleeding

A small amount of bleeding is normal. If you notice bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for 15 minutes. If bleeding doesn’t stop after applying pressure, contact your doctor.

Infection Signs

If you notice redness, swelling, increased warmth, or discharge with a foul smell, or if you develop a fever, contact your healthcare provider.

Sutures or Stitches

If your stitches or sutures come undone, do not attempt to fix them yourself. Cover the wound with a sterile gauze pad and call your surgeon.

Instructions for Wound Packing

If your wound requires packing, it’s likely due to an infection concern. Proper care is essential for preventing further complications.

Steps for Packing a Wound

1. Gather Supplies: Set up a clean field with all your materials to avoid moving around during the process.

2. Remove the Old Packing: Wet the packing material before removing it to minimize pain and prevent tissue damage. This will minimize pain, as the gauze adheres to the surrounding tissue when drying. The gauze removes the bacteria as it dries up inside the wound. You may need to get the gauze wet multiple times as it is removed from the wound. Having a 10cc syringe with sterile water is helpful

3. Clean the Wound: Rinse with soap and water or let water run over the area in the shower. Using a showerhead inside the wound can also be helpful but not necessary. Dab the area dry.

4. Pack the Wound: Use a Q-tip to pack the wound with new material. Ensure that the material is packed deep into the wound. Continue to pack circumferentially around the base of the wound, making sure all areas are covered.

5. Cover with Gauze: Secure the area with a clean dressing and tape.

6. Repeat the process daily until the wound is healed

For more detailed guidance, this video may help.

When to Call Your Surgeon

Contact your surgeon or healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

• Persistent or worsening pain

• Signs of infection (redness, swelling, or unusual discharge)

• Heavy bleeding

• Stitches or sutures coming undone

• A fever above 101.4°F (38°C)

Conclusion

Postoperative wound care, including wound packing when necessary, is a vital part of your recovery. With proper hygiene, careful dressing changes, and close follow-up, most wounds heal safely and effectively.

Patients in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Bradenton recovering from surgery should follow their surgeon’s instructions closely and seek prompt evaluation for any concerns. Thoughtful wound care today helps prevent complications tomorrow.