Removing bandages

Hi everyone,
It has been exactly since I had surgery and even though I was allowed to take the big bandage off after two days, I am not sure how to remove my strips covering my incision. One of my leads fractured so they went in and added a new lead along with a new device. This is my fourth pacemaker and I cannot remember ever having this many strips on my incision site. My doctor said he removed deep scar tissue and said he was going to tidy up my scar some. This makes it hurt longer and takes longer to heal, but no one has informed me on how to take the strips off. I am not getting the area wet, but I am cleaning around it when I take a shower. I also have not seen the incision yet. If anyone has any answers, please let me know. Thank you

6 Comments

Leave the strips on

by Theknotguy - 2015-07-22 01:07:36

Leave the strips on until they fall off. Don't tug or pull or you'll end up back in a medical office having new stitches put in.

They'll dry up, start to itch, then fall off. At which time you'll be in good shape.

Wife just went through it so have firsthand knowledge.

bandages

by islandgirl - 2015-07-22 05:07:37

Mine stayed on about 10 days. After 3 days, could shower and not have to worry about getting the incision wet. No swimming or bathing or immersing for 2 months, though.
Check with you EP's office to make sure you are given specific instructions.

Thank you

by Tash123 - 2015-07-23 04:07:21

Thanks everyone for your comments. It has been almost ten days since my surgery and my shoulder still hurts so I figured my incision needed more time to heal. It seems that have like 20 steri strips layered over my small incision and thought it would take forever for all of them to fall off on their own. But I am also afraid that if I pull them off too early then it will hurt and I might mess something up. The site is already itching, and the pain is only bad in the morning when I wake up. Which leads to another question, how can I find a comfortable sleeping position that won't be uncomfortable? I've basically been sitting up in and sleeping making sure my arm is at my side for a week now but I don't sleep well this way. If anyone has any tips on that, please let me know.

EGAD

by TICKYTICKBOO - 2015-07-23 06:07:45

Ten days, itching!!! Get the Steri Strips off, let the area breathe, The Steri Strips only help keep the surface together the first few days, the stitches or staples do the heavy work.

After 10 days, you are safe removing the strips as long as your hands are clean, including your finger nails. Pull the strips off from the outside end toward the wound, pull from the top to incision and then bottom toward the incision. Then remove the tiny bit over the wound. Just be very clean and go slow, this is not the time to rip the bandage off. Slow and clean, those are the keys to getting the sticky little things off.

Part of the problem is scar tissue is forming and restricting muscle movement. The situation will become worse, if you do not use your arms. Make a exercise plan and stick to it for a month or so. Use heat to get the area around your shoulders nice and warm. Then gently exercise your shoulder, walking your fingers up a wall with out using and body english will help you regain your range of motion. GENTLY exercise your arms two or three times a day. Apply ice when you finish exercising.

DO NOT WEAR A SLING. Get moving, get your incision out in the air. Do protect it from the sun for a while.

Leave Them

by donsabi - 2015-07-28 02:07:36

My post op information sheet said to remove outer bandage but to leave the strips in place and they will fall off on their own.

Agree, leave them

by MathTeacher - 2015-07-29 04:07:54

Hi,

I was told to leave my steri strips on until they fell off. It took awhile, but that's what I did. I, too, was told to keep them dry. If they were holding me together, I wasn't going to remove them. I had no staples, and the nurses seemed to think I didn't have stitches. Just try to be patient. I'm sure the doctor's office would tell you to leave them, too. They'll eventually fall off.

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