Post-op wound care tips?
in Health ·
Hi everyone, I couldn't seem to find an existing thread covering this particular situation, so I figured I'd just start a new one myself. To give you the backstory, I underwent a minor surgical procedure on my scalp today—specifically, a mole removal that my dermatologist strongly advised. To my absolute surprise, they only gave me three stitches and didn't apply any kind of bandage or adhesive patch over the site at all. They simply scheduled me to have the stitches removed in ten days, with a follow-up appointment set for about three weeks out. I was handed those standard post-op instruction sheets which tell me to rinse the area with saline solution three times a day and then apply a thin layer of Bivacyn ointment once it's dried. I would be incredibly grateful if anyone here could share their own experiences; is it actually normal or even safe to leave an open wound completely uncovered without a bandage? Also, I can't help but wonder if rinsing it three times daily is truly necessary, as my gut tells me that skin might actually heal faster if kept dry. Any suggestions, advice, or thoughts you could offer would mean the world to me.