Health Products and Services
How to Care for your Stiches
By Dr. Thomas S. Lee
Jun 8, 2007

1. It is important that you avoid any contact with water for the first 2 days following surgery.

2. For the next three days,(3-5) it is important to not soak in water. You may take a shower but avoid leaving the stitched area in the path of the direct stream of water. Avoid baths and swimming.

3. During days 4, 5, & 6 you may clean the area with Calendula Succus. Use a poultice of Steamed Cabbage leaf if infection is present.

4. After this period of time you may bathe and swim as normal.

5. It is wise to keep the area covered if you think you may be exposed to potential irritants (clothing, chemicals, etc) but it is
not necessary. Cover the area as needed. Open air and sunshine helps if there is no local trauma to the area of the stitches.

6. After the scar has healed over and any scabbing has fallen off you may apply Vitamin E oil alternating with Lavender oil.
Use for 3 days following the removal of your stitches. Apply the Vitamin E in the morning and Lavender oil in the evening. Vitamin E will help soften and reduce the scarring and the Lavender oil will help clear the local redness.

7. If pain or inflammation persists, call Dr. Lee (480-443-9212)or your Naturopathic physician for some help.

How to care for your surgery

1. Apply Calendula Succus 4-5 times a day. It is only necessary to apply 1-2 drops per site.

2. Let the succus sit on the area for a couple of minutes before attempting to wipe it off.

3. It is helpful to cover the area for the first few days following surgery to provide a protective barrier from your clothes,
pollution, etc.

4. After about 10 days, the scabbing should have fallen off. Rub olive oil into scab from day 4 until it falls off easily.

5. Once there is no more scab present, you can apply a small amount of Vitamin E oil alternating with small amounts of Lavender oil. The Vitamin E will help to soften the scar and aid in the healing process while the Lavender oil will decrease the redness around the area. You only need apply each oil one time per day.

6. Please contact Dr. Lee (480-443-9212) if there are any problems or complications.