When's a good time to remove the steri-strips after surgery? I'm a week and a half post op and these darn strips are driving me crazy! Should I wait until they fall off or would it be ok to remove them early?

 

 

I was given steri-strips after I had my one stitch out, which was 10 days post-op. I was then told to let the steri-strips fall off on their own. The doctors' main concern was that the stitch stay in for at least 10 days, and after that they weren't as concerned.

The only thing about steri-strips is that if you pull them off yourself, you can tug at the skin around the incision, so I might be inclined to wait for that reason. I know what you mean about them driving you crazy, though.

Helen

 

Seven days is the norm. In the UK we are advised to attend our local doctors surgery to have the strips removed by a practice nurse. This is so she/he can inspect the wound to ensure there is no infection and that the wound is healing correctly. I couldn't stand the itch and removed mine after five days - you don't to my mind have to be a medical nurd to tell that it is healing right and if you spot any trouble then visit your doctors surgery.
Good luck with your recuperation.

David

 

if it is really itchy then have a look and see how it is holding on. if by a thread then a little pull and it will be gone but if any redness irritation go to the doc. otherwise you should be okay. i used a bit of cortisone cram it stopped the itch and healed great. i would ask the dr. tho as he may not agree. or she. jess

 

Every doctor seems to have their own "rules" about it. When I had my original implant, they told me I could clip off the loose corners as it came unstuck by itself, but leave the strips on til they fell off on their own. When I had my PM re-positioned (6 months later by a different doctor) they took the ster-strips off at my 10-day post-op checkup. I'd call the doctor's office and inquire if it's ok to take them off, it were me.
Best wishes, Paula. I hope things are going well.
Take care, Cathryn

 

Hi, pawgles.

I agree with Cathryn. My doc said I could also clip the corners as they peeled away on their own but to let them come off by their lonesome. They are itchy little buggers, aren't they?! It took mine WEEKS to come off. At the end, I just gently peeled what was left. I had two, tiny, pinpoint holes that still needed to close, but I think the fresh air did them good and had no infection.

Hope your recuperation is going well minus the steri-strip frustration!

ela-girl

 

Had to throw my 2 cents worth in.. my EP used internal sutures that dissolved on their own and had some swanky glue that they slapped on the external incision line. Lucky for me the EP did not know to what extent I'd be pushing my PM and my incision... I fell getting out of a truck 2 weeks later.. it had been raining.. if he had known, I might have ended up with external staples!

My suggestion is to leave the steri strips along.. trim the ends that are kicking up.. or make appt to go see the MD or at the very least the nurse and have them remove... of course as was said above.. it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out if the strip can come off or not.. the trick is that you do NOT want the incision line to open up! that creates a potential for infection.. so best to ask if you do not know!

Good luck and hope that you have a speedy recovery!
Harley63

 

My EP also used internal sutures that dissolved on their own AND the skin superglue of sorts. But I still had strips placed over it all. And then I had a big clear patch placed over all that that didn't come off until I saw my EP a week after the surgery.

ela-girl

 

After about 2 weeks, which you are getting near, try putting a clean wash rag soaked in warm water over it for 15 minutes or so several times a day. That will likely encourage it to start coming off. Just use your best judgment as to how much to pull on it. I can't remember when or how I got mine off, but it was no big deal.

frank

 

I also had the internal self dissolving stitches, and the superglue, and the clear patch over the incision.
The day after, my EP came into my room, to look at it, and ripped the patch off. His only instructions were to be careful while showering. My scar is practically invisible.
However, I've had steri strips for something else, and was told to let them fall off on their own.
Good luck Paula,

~ Dominique ~

 

Thanks for the advice. I pulled them off after 11 days and it feels much better without them on.