Caring for wounds after Minor Plastic Surgery for skin excisions and Hernia repairs  is crucial for proper healing and minimizing the risk of infection or scarring. 

Here are general guidelines for wound care, but always follow Dr Cheah's specific instructions he gives, as individual cases may vary:

1. Dressings & Strips
Leave plastic waterproof dressings on to avoid exposing wound 
Usually leave on for 2 weeks - unless the dressings start to lift up or water gets through it. In that case can remove.
Common brands used - Tegaderm with pad, Opsite with pad, AsGuard Clear

It is not uncommon for the pad to be soaked with some bloodstained fluid from the wound - only remove if there is excessive fluid coming out. This is more common when an inflammed cyst or pilonidal sinus has been excised

There may also sometimes be a gauze placed under the plastic dressing to reduce the risk of seroma (the gentle pressure from the gauze pushes down the skin and reduces space under the skin for a fluid collection to form)

There will usually be white strips under the plastic dressings for cases done in the hospital theatre 
Common brands used - Steristrips, Leukostrips
Leave these on for around 3 weeks - usually they start to peel off within few days after the outside layer of plastic water proof dressings has been removed

Sometimes additional tissue glue is placed on the outside - this is either transparent (eg Histoacryl tissue glue) or purplish (eg Dermabond tissue glue) - this will come off on its on in the coming weeks.

2. Sutures
Usually Dr Cheah uses dissolvable sutures .  Most commonly 3/0 Vicryl or 3/0 Polysorb (both usually white)
These when under the skin - will be absorbed by the body
If on the skin - these can be removed in 1-3 weeks if red/sore or let to fall off depending on location and amount of skin tension (in areas where there wound is tight and local flaps used to pull together the skin - it might be best to let the sutures come off on its own after the internal part of the sutures are absorbed. 

(The body gradually absorbs dissolvable sutures(also called absorbable sutures), through a process called hydrolysis, where water molecules from the body's tissues penetrate the suture material, breaking down its chemical bonds and gradually dissolving it into smaller components that can be metabolized and eliminated by the body's white blood cells (macrophages); essentially, the body "eats away" at the suture over time until it completely disappears. It some people, their immune system can generate a greater inflammatory response  - sometimes the skin around the sutures can appear red and sometimes sterile pustules form under where the buried knots of the sutures sit. This should not be confused with skin infection - where the redness is spreading further away from the wound )

For skin grafts - Dr Cheah usually uses 4/0 Vicryl Rapide. This suture as its name suggest is absorbed more rapidly. These sutures should be allowed to fall off on its own. 

For wounds on scalp and vasectomy - an Opsite spray is applied as well to the wound after the cases in a hospital theatre.

3. Contact with water
If a plastic waterproof dressing is covering a wound - one can shower on the day of the surgery. 
But it is important to remember these dressings are waterproof but not soak proof ! (So avoid swimming, spa, hot baths until the wound is fully healed)

For sutures on the scalp eg excision of pilar cyst on scalp - one can let water run over the hairs in the area of the wound from the evening of the surgery to remove any blood/skin preparation in the area. (Dr Cheah does not usually shave the hairs in the area - most patients appreciate not having a bald patch !) But avoid rubbing the wound. 

4. Once the dressing has come off - it is important to keep the wound clean
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the wound or changing dressings.
- Gently clean the wound with water +- cotton wool/wet tissue if there is any discharge sticking to surounding skin
- Avoid using harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as they can irritate the wound and delay healing.
- Avoid picking on any scab forming over the wound - just irrigate with water (eg when showering) and gently rub it - let these fall off slowly 
- For ingrown toenail - the bandage and gauze under can be removed in 1-2 days after the surgery. One can then just leave the wound open to air when indoors. If wearing shoes - can apply a Bandid to cover the wound while it is healing. Can just irrigate with water when showering. If moist/been infected - can apply Betadiene to wound as it heals

5.  Antibiotics
This is only used in a few specific situations to reduce the risk of antibiotics resistance.
Sometimes Dr Cheah prescribes Chlorsig ointment -  This is an ointment used for eye infection as well.  Apply the Chlorsig ointment only sparingly to the moist area of the wound - twice a day or with change of dressings once a day.

Oral antibiotics if prescribed only when there is high risk of infection - eg ulcer with pus under the scab in a skin cancer on the leg; where there are maggots in the skin cancer being excised

6. Protect the Wound 
- Avoid exposing the wound to dirt, sunlight or other irritants.
- Keep the wound dry and avoid soaking it in water (e.g., swimming or baths) until it has fully healed.
- If the wound is in an area prone to friction (e.g., under clothing), use a protective covering or padding. Sometimes a simple Bandaid/Elastoplast to cover the length of the wound is adequate

7. Monitor for Signs of Infection
Watch for symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased redness, swelling, or warmth around the wound especially after the first 5 days
(Some redness, swelling or bruising around the wound Day 1  to 3 postop is not uncommon after hernia repairs)
- Pus or unusual discharge
(Small sterile pustules can form in the sites of knots for dissolvable sutures - these just need to be drained)
- Foul odor.
- Fever or chills.
- Increased pain or tenderness after the first few days postop.

8. Promote Wound Healing
- Avoid picking at scabs or scratching the wound, as this can delay healing and increase scarring.
- Keep the wound moist (with ointments or dressings) to support wound healing (except for pilonidal sinus excision - where the wound needs to be as dry as possible , as well as being free of hairs)
- Eat a healthy diet rich in protein(Eggs are great!), vitamins (like vitamin C), and micro-nutrients (like zinc)  to support wound healing.

9. Manage Pain and Swelling
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g.paracetamol plus if needed - additional NSAIDS like ibuprofen)(check that there is no contraindication to NSAIDs eg renal failure - discuss with your local pharmacist)
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, but avoid placing ice directly on the wound (eg after vasectomy)

10. Follow Up with Dr Cheah 
- Attend all follow-up appointments to ensure the wound is healing properly. 
Look at the time stated in Dr Cheah's hospital report. Ring the rooms you want to be seen directly for an appointment.
Usually it is on Wednesday at The Clinic Footscray T: 96872271 

For hernia repairs - follow up is usually at 8 weeks postop 
If there is any concern - one can message Dr Cheah on his mobile with name and the message so he can call you back for a phone consult and arrange an earlier review as needed

If stitches were used in certain areas or are non-dissolvable eg  on the face, they may need to be removed after a certain period (usually 5–14 days).

11. Minimize Scarring
- Protect the area from sun exposure by using sunscreen or covering it with clothing (a fresh scar can get sunburnt easily)
- To prevent scar from stretching (Hypertrophic scar / Keloid), one can use a silicone sheet cut to size or silicone gel  for 2-4 months(Stratamed silicone gel  Wound Dressing - around $30 for 5g tube; Cica-care 3x12cm sheet - around $45)).  Alternatively can also use Micropore paper tape (3M Micropore Surgical Tape 2.5cmx9.1m Tan - around $3) - place at along line of scar- pat dry if wet; change once starting to peel off/worn every few days
(this is especially important in areas where there is a high degree of skin tension eg breast, shoulder/chest)
- For keloid excisions - there is a high risk of recurrence especially on the ear - if the keloid begins to recur - one should see Dr Cheah again to consider intralesional injection with steroids eg Kenacort A10

12. When to Seek Medical Attention
- If the wound reopens or bleeds excessively (hence it is important not to remove the dressings too early and to be gentle when removing them)
- If you suspect an infection 
- If the wound is not healing after several weeks.

By following these steps and Dr Cheah's specific advice depending on your condition's severity, you can ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.