Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Robotic Hernia Surgeon · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
In short
A keyhole hernia repair leaves three or four small wounds, each about one centimetre long. An open repair leaves one longer cut. Either way, the wound is the part of the operation you look after yourself.
Looking after it well is simple. Most of it is about keeping it clean and dry, and leaving it alone.
Most people can have a short shower or a bucket bath one to two days after surgery. Let the water run over the wounds. Do not scrub them. Pat them dry with a clean towel afterwards.
What you should avoid is soaking. A bathtub, a swimming pool or a river keeps the wound wet for too long and can let germs in. Wait about two weeks, until every wound has closed and any scab has gone.
Keyhole wounds are usually closed in one of two ways. Some have dissolving stitches under the skin, which you cannot see and which never need removing. Others are sealed with a skin glue that looks like a clear, shiny film.
The glue peels away by itself in one to two weeks. Do not pick it off. A longer open wound may have stitches or clips that are removed in the clinic after about ten days.
The wound at the navel is worth extra care. It is a natural fold that stays damp. Dry it gently after every bath.
Wound care, day by day
| When | What you can do | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Day of surgery | Keep the dressing on and dry | Wetting the wounds |
| Day 1 to 2 | Short shower or bucket bath, pat dry | Rubbing the wounds with a towel |
| Day 2 to 5 | Remove the outer dressing if you were told to | Picking at glue or stitch ends |
| Week 1 to 2 | Normal bathing, loose clothing | Tight waistbands over the wounds |
| After about 2 weeks | Swimming, once every wound has sealed | Sun on fresh scars for a few months |
Not sure whether a wound looks right? Send a clear photo on WhatsApp rather than guessing.
A clean, dry wound heals best. Anything spread on top can irritate the skin and make an early infection harder to spot.
In the first week, a thin pink line along the edge is normal. So is some bruising around the wound, and a small firm ridge under the skin. The ridge is the body laying down new tissue and softens over a few weeks.
A few drops of clear or pale pink fluid on the dressing in the first day or two are also common. Mild itching as the wound heals is normal too.
Warning signs that need same-day advice
A clear photo sent to the clinic is often enough to decide whether you need to come in.
Keyhole scars usually fade to thin pale lines over six to twelve months. Keep them out of strong sun for the first few months, as sun can darken a fresh scar. Once the wound has fully closed, a plain moisturiser can help it feel softer.
A shower or bucket bath is usually fine after one to two days, with the dressing on or the glue left alone. Avoid soaking in a tub or pool for two weeks.
Most keyhole wounds are closed with dissolving stitches under the skin or with glue, so nothing needs removing. You will be told if yours are different.
No. Keep the wound clean and dry and put nothing on it unless the clinic has asked you to. Home remedies can irritate the skin and hide early infection.
A thin pink line along the edge is normal healing. Redness that spreads, gets hotter, or comes with pus or fever needs to be seen.
Wait until every wound has fully sealed and any scab has gone, usually about two weeks. Pool and lake water carry germs a fresh wound does not need.
The main page on this site is robotic hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Shah's Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre
Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar
Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
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