Showering and Bathing
You may shower from one week following your surgery (unless advised otherwise).
Please continue to avoid:
- Baths
- Hot tubs
- Swimming pools
- The sea or other natural bodies of water
Until all wounds are fully healed and the last scab has naturally detached. This typically occurs between 4–6 weeks postoperatively, although this can vary from person to person.
Dressings/Tape
Keep your incision covered with tape for approximately 3 weeks, changing it every 3–4 days.
Changing the tape too frequently can irritate the skin and remove scabs prematurely. Keeping your incision supported during the early stages of healing helps reduce tension across the scar and encourages it to heal flatter and smoother.
If you notice any irritation from the tape, please contact the clinic for advice.
Scar Massage and Moisturising
After approximately 3 weeks of taping (4 weeks postoperatively), once all scabs have naturally detached and your wounds are fully healed, you no longer need to cover your incision.
At this stage you should begin;
- Moisturising your scar daily using a simple hydrating moisturiser
- Massaging your scar firmly, but comfortably, for a couple of minutes each day
Regular scar massage helps to;
- Soften scar tissue
- Improve scar flexibility
- Reduce tightness
- Encourage a flatter, smoother scar
We recommend continuing this routine until your 3 month follow-up appointment with your surgeon. Following your 3 month review, you may choose to continue scar management with silicone scar gel or silicone tape, if appropriate and if your surgeon recommends doing so.
Compression Garments
Compression garments should be worn day and night for 6 weeks, unless advised otherwise by your surgeon.
Compression should only be removed for;
- Showering
- Washing the garment
Compression helps to;
- Reduce swelling
- Support healing tissues
- Improve comfort
- Optimise your final result
Compression Following Breast Surgery
Following breast surgery, we recommend wearing your postoperative compression bra continuously for the first 6 weeks, only removing for showering.
After this time, you may return to wearing a soft, supportive, non-wired bra.
Following your 3 month review with your surgeon, you may wear any bra of your choice. However, we generally advise continuing to wear supportive bras where possible, as this may help maintain your surgical result over time.
Surgical Stockings (TED Stockings)
TED stockings should be worn for 2 weeks following surgery, unless you have been advised otherwise.
If you are fully mobile and walking regularly, your clinical team may advise that these can be discontinued sooner.
Microneedling
As part of your postoperative scar management, you will be invited back to clinic for a complimentary microneedling treatment between 6–10 weeks after surgery (excluding liposuction/VASER & Renuvion procedures, blepharoplasty, labiaplasty, pinnaplasty, revision surgeries and minor procedures).
Microneedling stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen and elastin, helping to;
- Improve scar texture
- Soften and flatten scars
- Improve flexibility
- Encourage a more refined cosmetic result
Some patients may benefit from additional treatments depending on their scar and healing progress. This will be discussed during your appointment.
Sleeping
For breast, abdominal and facial surgery patients, we recommend sleeping on your back and slightly elevated for as long as possible, particularly during the early stages of your recovery. Use as many pillows as you need to make yourself comfortable; placing a pillow underneath your knees can also help support your position, reduce tension and prevent you from rolling during the night.
Sleep is an important part of recovery, as this is when your body carries out much of its natural repair and healing. Prioritise getting plenty of good-quality rest and remember that your body is often a good guide – as your recovery progresses, you can gradually adjust your sleeping position according to comfort. If a position causes pain, pulling or significant discomfort, this is usually a sign that your body is not quite ready for it yet.
Returning to Exercise
For most procedures, there are no surgical restrictions after 6 weeks – unless your surgeon advises otherwise.
When returning to exercise;
- Increase activity gradually over several weeks
- Build intensity slowly rather than returning immediately to your previous level
- Mild swelling or tightness after exercise is common and usually settles with rest
- If something feels painful, reduce your activity and allow your body more time to recover
Remember, whilst restrictions are generally lifted after 6 weeks, healing continues internally for many months. Listening to your body remains most important.
Activity Guidelines (Weeks 1 – 6)
We recommend;
- Walking regularly and increasing your activity gradually
- Staying well hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet
- Wearing your compression garment as instructed
- Getting plenty of rest and listening to your body
- Attending all scheduled follow-up appointments
Please avoid;
- Heavy lifting
- High-impact exercise
- Gym workouts
- Running
- Swimming
- Baths and hot tubs
- Saunas and steam rooms
- Activities that place excessive strain on your incisions
When to Seek Help
The overnight phone is carried by a member of the Adnova on-call team. Please use it for urgent post-operative concerns that cannot safely wait until the clinic reopens.
CALL 999 NOW
- Chest pain, severe or sudden breathing difficulty, coughing up blood, collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Severe or uncontrolled bleeding.
CALL ADNOVA OUT OF HOURS
This number would have been supplied to you upon discharge from clinic – calls only; no texts
- Rapidly increasing or one-sided swelling.
- Severe or worsening pain despite prescribed pain relief.
- Bleeding soaking the dressing or not settling with firm pressure.
- The wound opens, has significant fluid, or has spreading redness or heat with fever or feeling very unwell.
A garment causes severe pain, numbness or a change in skin colour.
CONTACT THE NEXT WORKING DAY 08:00-18:00
01489 539484/ dressingclinic@adnovaclinic.com
- Expected bruising, swelling or discomfort that is not becoming significantly worse.
- Routine questions about dressings, tape, garments, showering or scar care.
- Appointment, prescription, administrative or other non-urgent recovery queries.
If you are unsure what medical help you need, contact NHS 111.
Please remember that every patient heals differently.
Healing timelines can vary depending on the procedure performed and your individual recovery. If your surgeon or nurse has given you advice that differs from the information on this sheet, please follow their recommendations.
