ASTROMEDICS Health Library · Updated 28 October 2026
General patient education, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. A qualified clinician should assess your symptoms and advise you.
Follow your wound-care plan
Healing after reconstruction depends on the procedure and the tissue involved. The discharge plan should explain dressing care, follow-up and symptoms that need a call to the surgical team.
Follow the specific discharge instructions for dressing changes and wound care; instructions differ by procedure.
Ask what normal healing should look like, when follow-up is due and how to contact the care team.
Recognise possible complications
Increasing redness, warmth, pain, pus/discharge or fever can indicate infection and warrants prompt medical advice.
Rapid deterioration, confusion or breathing difficulty with suspected infection is an emergency.
Preparing for the next step
Ask before applying creams, oils or other products to a healing wound. Keep the planned dressing and review appointments, and follow restrictions on movement or pressure over the operated area. If the wound changes, describe when the change began and any fever or increasing pain.
Questions for your consultation
- What wound and scar care is appropriate at this stage?
- Which changes need same-day contact with the team?