Home care instructions for a surgical wound

Follow the wound care instructions given by your surgeon. When you are discharged, you will be told when you can remove the wound dressing and when you may get the wound wet. More detailed aftercare instructions are also available in your surgery report in the Terveystalo app or in the paper copy provided to you.

Removal of stitches or staples

Stitches or staples are removed by a healthcare professional after the period specified by your doctor, usually 7–14 days after the procedure. The timing depends on the type and location of the wound.

If your surgeon used dissolvable stitches, they do not need to be removed separately.

Removing the wound dressing and getting the wound wet

When you are discharged, your surgeon will tell you when you can remove the wound dressing and when you may get the wound wet.

Wound care

Keep the wound clean and avoid touching it unnecessarily. Always make sure your hands are clean before touching the wound area.

Avoid excessive strain or stretching of the wound area. During the first few days, also avoid bending, lifting and other physical exertion.

Minor bleeding can usually be stopped by pressing the wound area with a gauze pad for 10–20 minutes.

Avoid rubbing the wound. If necessary, protect the wound from rubbing against clothing or other materials with a dressing.

Do not apply creams, disinfectants or cleansing products to the wound area.

Showering, sauna and swimming

You may shower the wound area according to the instructions given by your surgeon. After showering, gently pat the wound area dry. Do not rub the wound.

Avoid sauna, swimming and heavy sweating until the stitches have been removed and for one more day after removal.

If you have dissolvable stitches, avoid sauna, swimming and heavy sweating for 10–14 days.

Wound tape

If the wound is covered with wound tape, the tape can remain in place to protect the wound until the stitches are removed.

If you have dissolvable stitches, the tape can remain in place for 7–14 days.

Replace the tape if it becomes clearly bloody or dirty, or if it starts to come loose.

When should you contact healthcare?

Contact healthcare if:

  • redness, warmth, swelling or pain in the wound area gets worse or does not improve within a few days
  • cloudy or pus-like fluid comes from the wound
  • the wound bleeds heavily
  • you develop a fever
  • the wound opens

If you notice problems with wound healing, contact the surgical unit where you were treated.

Infection follow-up form

Bring any infection follow-up form you received in connection with the procedure to your appointment. Alternatively, show the digital infection follow-up form in the Terveystalo app during the appointment.

Do you have questions?

If you have any questions, please contact our customer service. You can find the contact details on our customer service and contact information page .