Bleeding After Surgery: Care Instructions

Overview

After surgery, it is common to have some mild bruising or bleeding from the cut (incision) made by your doctor. But problems may occur that cause you to bleed too much in the surgery area.

An injury to a blood vessel can cause bleeding after surgery. Other causes include medicines such as aspirin or blood thinners.

Your doctor examined you to find the cause of the bleeding. You may have had imaging tests, such as a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound.

To help stop the bleeding, your doctor may have put pressure on the incision or sewn up or sealed the incision. Or you may have had surgery to stop bleeding inside the surgery area. Your doctor also may have given you medicines that help stop the bleeding.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• If there are strips of tape on the cut (incision), leave the tape on until it falls off. Or follow your doctor's instructions for removing the tape. Keep the area dry at all times.
• You will have a dressing over the incision. A dressing helps the incision heal and protects it. Your doctor will tell you how to take care of this.
• If your doctor told you how to care for your incision, follow your doctor's instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
  • Wash your hands before and after touching your incision.
  • Wash around the incision with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing.
  • You may cover the incision with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
  • Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
• You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes fluid or rubs against clothing.
• Change the bandage every day and if it gets wet or dirty. Keep the area clean and dry.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
• You have bleeding that starts again or gets worse, such as soaking one or more bandages over 2 to 4 hours, even after holding pressure on the area.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You do not get better as expected.