bandage removal

I received a Medtronic dual pacemaker last Thursday. All went well and they said the pacemaker is working perfectly. It's keeping my heartbeat at a minimum of 60. Instructions said to remove the bandage today. I removed it and underneath I found what looks kind of like black fabric tape, which seems to be a little loose and wants to come off. I'm going to call tomorrow to ask them about this, but did others find the same thing? It seems as if it would be logical to put another piece of gauze over it to protect it, so I'm not sure why they wanted me to remove the bandage.

3 Comments

strip under bandage

by megsam - 2014-07-14 01:07:13

Thanks. I called the clinic this morning and they said the black fabric tape is an antibacterial thing, and I should take it off now. As long as there was no drainage into the bandage, and my "discomfort" is decreasing, I'm supposed to leave the incision uncovered (which still seems weird to me only four days after the operation). I've seen SteriStrips before, they are smaller, white, and some people call them butterfly strips. "Discomfort" seems to be their euphemism for pain.

Tape

by Lurch - 2014-07-14 09:07:57

It sounds like "steri strips" (not sure of the exact name) but I had some white over my incision. They are designed to come off on their own after a week to 10 days. They took mine off early because I was having a reaction of the adhesive on them (gave me a rash).

Calling the doctor's office is a good idea...

Good luck

Discomfort

by Lurch - 2014-07-15 04:07:29

Yep, they call them "discomfort" we call it "ouch!"

Glad you got it worked out!

They left mine uncovered also. I used a towel over it when driving to prevent the seat belt from rubbing it, but other than that, nothing.

took my Grandson to the beach last week and was teaching him to body surf! Didn't hurt the site at all, but my muscles were sure sore!!

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.