Post-Op Care

Post-Operative Care Guide

The recovery timeline after minimally invasive surgery, how to change a dressing, and when to come straight back.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Ta-Ju Liu (Dermatology Specialist) | Last Reviewed: 2026-03-15

Recovery timeline

From surgery day to a faded scar: what to do at each stage

Day 0–3
Swelling, soreness, a little oozing — all expected
- Mild bleeding, swelling and pain are normal; for most people they settle within 14 days.
- Ice for 15 minutes, rest for 30, a few times a day — over the dressing, never pressed straight onto the wound.
- Take prescribed medication on schedule; don't stop early just because it no longer hurts.
- Leave the waterproof dressing alone. If it stays dry, it stays on.
Day 4 – Week 1
Switch to warm compresses; watch what you take
- From day 4, swap ice for warm compresses to help bruising disperse.
- Pause aspirin, anticoagulants, herbal medicine and supplements this week unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol this week — they keep the wound red for longer. No other foods need to be avoided.
Week 2
Let the wound heal undisturbed
- Get enough protein and vitamin C — the wound needs raw material to rebuild.
- Hold off on strenuous exercise; sweat and strain both work against the sutures.
- For wounds over a joint (elbow, knee), keep movements small so the stitches aren't pulled.
Face day 7 / body day 14
Suture removal visit
- Face wounds: sutures out at about day 7. Body wounds: about day 14.
- For surgery done here, the removal visit is part of your treatment and is performed by your operating surgeon.
- Missing the appointment by more than 14 days post-op may affect healing and needs re-evaluation.
- Suture removal is offered only to patients who had their surgery here; if your surgery was done elsewhere, please return to that clinic for removal.
3–6 months after sutures out
Scar care starts now
- Start right after sutures come out: scar gel or silicone tape, kept up for 3–6 months.
- Scars go red and firm first, then slowly fade over the following months — that's the normal course.
- Protect it from the sun. A tanned scar is the hardest kind to lighten.

Changing the dressing in four steps

1Clean the wound with saline
2Apply a thin layer of ointment
3Cover with gauze
4Seal with a waterproof dressing

If the dressing is dry and intact, leave it on until your removal visit — no daily changes needed.
If it gets wet or comes off, change it the same day using the four steps above.
Keep water off the wound until it has healed; shower around it or cover it with cling film first.

Don't wait — contact the clinic now if you notice

Pain that is getting worse day by day instead of better
Redness and swelling spreading outward from the wound
Pus or a foul smell
Bleeding that increases and won't stop with pressure
Fever

If any of these appear, contact the clinic right away and send a photo of the wound to the doctor. This is not something to wait for your next visit for.

Follow-up