Post-Op Bariatric Surgery Incision Care

Proper wound care is an essential part of healthy recovery following any surgical procedure, and bariatric surgery is no exception. Taking care of bariatric surgery incisions helps lower the risk of infection and prevents complications. Wound care can also help incisions heal more quickly and with less scarring. Keep reading to find out how to take care of incisions after bariatric surgery. 

Tips for Wound Care Post-Bariatric Surgery

Changing your bandages regularly is important. To start, your doctor might even recommend you change your dressings every day. Your provider will give you a specific recommendation for how often to replace the gauze on your wounds. Here are some tips to follow for proper wound care:

Clean Hands 

Whether you or a loved one change your bandages, it is critical that you wash your hands first. This will prevent germs from contaminating the wound site. Remember to use warm or hot water and antibacterial soap to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before touching the wound or the dressing. 

Avoid Ointments 

Stay away from any lotions, creams, or ointments, even if they are marketed as being ‘anti-bacterial.” Bariatric surgery incisions need to be kept clean and dry, and applying anything other than water and soap to the wound can get in the way of the healing process. Hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol should also be avoided. 

Cover the Wound 

The wound should be covered at all times as you recover from bariatric surgery. Any time the dressing is removed from the wound, the chance of contamination and infection is raised. If the bandages get dirty or wet, change them immediately. 

Lifestyle Suggestions for Incision Healing

Taking care of your bariatric surgery incisions starts with proper wound care, but there is more you can do to promote healing. These are some lifestyle adjustments you can make to support healing and prevent weight-loss surgery scars:

Get Enough Sleep 

Getting plenty of restful sleep is important to help wounds heal properly. Sleep can lower inflammation while also providing blood flow and energy to the wound site, all of which contribute to successful healing and recovery. 

Avoid Smoking 

Smoking negatively impacts health in many ways and can significantly disrupt the wound-healing process. It reduces oxygen flow to the wound site, increases infection risk, and increases the chance of developing scars from weight loss surgery.

Stay Active

Physical activity will help you recover as long as you do not do too much too soon. In the week after your surgery, you can walk around the house and use the stairs if you do not feel excessive pain. Taking short walks around the house is a great way to ease yourself into staying active. You can slowly increase your physical activity as you start to heal. Before starting any strenuous exercise routine, be sure to get approval from your physician. 

Get Follow-Up Support from Wellstar Bariatrics

Wellstar Bariatrics is committed to supporting our patients every step of the way. Whether you have questions about the best way to prevent weight loss surgery scars or need more guidance on how to take care of bariatric surgery incisions, we are here to help. Reach out today to find out more.