Incision Care 2 weeks after surgery

Hello All, 

I recieved my pacemaker exactly 2 weeks ago. I have been changing the dressing covering my sutures (which are dissolvable stiches with butterfly stich tape) every day after my follow-up visit. Should i still continue to keep them covered or start leaving them uncovered the butterfly tape on one incision is starting to peel up after i was cleared to get wet and shower. I am just wondering if i am keeping them covered for too long? Thank you for any advice!

Jessica

4 Comments

Wound dressing

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-27 22:21:48

My EP 's PAs told me not to cover the wound at all.  They told me to let as much air get at the wound as possible. I wasn't to take a shower for two days, then I was just to be careful to not spray water directly on the wound until the tape used to close the wound fell off (about a week).

Incision Care feedback

by jessryann325 - 2018-06-28 10:47:16

Thank you so much you guys for the advice! I didnt recieve a clear answer from my doc about when to stop dressing it, so this helps tremendously! I will definitely un cover them and only cover when needed. And yes Robin1, I agree completely and do not ever use petroleum products on my skin. I have some herbal healing salves for wonds that are not open which i will use a little later once the steri strips fall off. Thank you for the advices on bug repellant and hiking as well, i will need that for this climate for sure :)

Jessica

hi

by Bionic Beat - 2018-06-29 11:11:25

Let the air at it.  Where I get my surgeries done, they removed the dressing the following morning to check the site, then if all is well, they tell you to leave it undressed unless you have signs of infection. (then you call them asap)   I have never had a problem and the healing occured as it should.  It really is a minor incision and if clean, will heal well.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Bionic Beat

RE: hi

by jessryann325 - 2018-07-01 12:59:49

Hi Bionic Beat, 

Thank you for the advice! I have since kept it uncovered and clean and the incision sites are healing up really well. Next time I will uncover them sooner :) Thank you!

Jessica

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