What is bleeding after surgery?

Sometimes a cut made during surgery opens when it isn't supposed to. This may be because of an infection or another problem that keeps the cut's edges from staying together.

The doctor has checked your open cut. Your doctor may have put a dressing in the cut but left it open to heal. This lets the cut heal from the bottom up. Your doctor may have given you a vacuum device to take home that helps close the cut.

A cut may be left open when it is infected or likely to become infected. This is because closing the cut may make an existing infection worse and a new infection more likely.

You will have a bandage.

• If you have strips of tape on the 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 you do not have tape on the incision, wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
• If the area is bleeding, draining fluid, or rubbing against clothing, you may want to cover it with a gauze bandage. Change the bandage every day and if it gets wet.
• Keep the area clean and dry.