Surgical site infections (SSIs) — infections that develop at incision sites — are the most common infections that people develop after surgery. The risk, however, is relatively low: According to a 2014 study, only 3% of patients developed an SSI within 14 days and almost 5% developed one within 30 days of having outpatient surgery. There are also other infections to be aware of, such as healthcare-associated infections, which are infections patients get in a healthcare setting and that may or may not be antibiotic-resistant. Hospitals are aware of the risks of antibiotic-resistant healthcare-associated infections, Ogunseitan said. Healthcare providers should also be following the CDC’s best practices for handwashing, among other hygiene guidelines, which should reduce your chance of getting sick after your surgery. You’re less likely to contract an infection during outpatient surgery than inpatient surgery, but the longer you stay in any healthcare facility, the greater risk you have of contracting an infection.