What if my wound is bleeding?

Bleeding occurs with almost all surgical procedures. It can usually be managed with firm pressure and it settles within a few hours.

The doctor will minimise bleeding during the procedure, but in some cases, there will be some bleeding afterwards. This is more common when

• You are taking medication that increases bleeding, such as aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel (Plavix) or fish oil.
• The wound is large, or if blood vessels were cut during the procedure.
• You are older (usually over 60).

If there is a risk of bleeding after the procedure, we will usually apply a firm bandage to apply pressure over your dressing.

It’s very common for blood to appear on the dressing in the hours following a procedure, and in the morning if you have slept on the wound overnight. This is not necessarily a problem.

However, if the dressing is soaked with fresh blood, you should apply firm pressure for half an hour. If bleeding continues, consult your doctor for advice.