After a stomach tuck procedure, surgical tape, sometimes referred to as medical adhesive tape or steri-strips, is frequently used to support and secure the incision site. By giving the incision more stability, easing skin tension, and encouraging appropriate wound healing, it plays a crucial part in the healing process. In this blog article, we’ll go through the use and advantages of surgical tape following a stomach tuck, how to apply and remove it, and how to maintain the tape for optimum recovery.
In this guide we review the aspects of Surgical tape after tummy tuck, how long should surgical tape stay on after breast lift, breast augmentation surgical tape removal, and What happens if you remove surgical tape too soon?
Benefits and Uses of Surgical Tape:
Wound Support: To offer support and lessen strain on the healing tissues, surgical tape is placed directly over the incision site. This lessens the possibility of a wound separating or a scar spreading.
Scar minimization: Surgical tape can aid in minimizing the appearance of the scar by binding the incision’s edges together. It aids in the healing process and lowers the risk of keloids or hypertrophic scarring.
Protection: The tape forms a barrier between the incision and outside elements like clothes or friction, preventing discomfort or infection at the incision site.
Process for Application and Removal:
Application: The surgical tape is normally applied right after following a stomach tuck by your surgeon or a member of their medical team. They will gently apply the tape over the wound, fastening it securely but not overly tight, after cleaning the incision area and making sure it is dry and clear of any lotions or ointments.
Duration of Wear: Depending on your surgeon’s recommendations and the rate of your healing, you may need to wear the surgical tape for a variety of times. The tape is often left in place for one to two weeks. Nevertheless, depending on unique conditions, this could change.
The surgical tape must be kept clean and dry during the healing period. Avoid exposing the tape to too much moisture, such as through extended water contact or intense perspiration. If the tape gets wet, gently massage it to dry. To avoid unintentionally removing the tape, take care when drying or putting lotions there.
Removal: Your surgeon or a member of their medical team will often take off the surgical tape at a follow-up appointment. They will carefully remove the tape, taking care to avoid irritating or harming the region around the incision. They can apply a mild adhesive remover to dissolve any adhesive residue that is still on the skin.
Taking Care of the Incision Area and Surgical Tape:
Follow Directions: It’s important to adhere to your surgeon’s detailed instructions for maintaining the surgical tape and the area around your incision. They could provide you additional recommendations that are specific to your circumstance.
Maintain the Cleanliness of the Incision: Comply with your surgeon’s recommendations on how to clean the incision area, which may include using a light soap and water or a specialist wound cleaner. Use a clean towel to gently pat the area dry, or you may let it air dry.
Avoid Irritation: Avoid actions that might strain or stretch the tape, such as extreme bending, twisting, or heavy lifting, to prevent irritation or harm to the incision region. Dress comfortably in baggy clothes that doesn’t press on the incision site.
Keep a watchful look out for any infection-related symptoms, such as swelling, redness, warmth, or discharge, in the region around the incision. If you have any unsettling symptoms, get in touch with your surgeon.
how long should surgical tape stay on after breast lift
Instructions for showering:
Diet: for the first few days, only soups and bland food that are easy on your stomach. Start eating only in small quantities.
Constipation: Constipation is a frequent problem that occurs when taking pain medications. You should be sure to start the Colace right away. If you get constipated, try over the counter Milk of Magnesia, or the suppositories in your medication packet. If all of this does not work, you may use an over the counter Fleets enema.
Normal Things: If you received implants as part of your breast lift, it is NORMAL for the implants to be high up, have un-even size, position or swelling, have sloshing noises, be painful, and be hard for the first few weeks after surgery. Please be patient with them. Depression and mood swings are common too. Remind yourself that everything will be better soon! Do not be concerned with the size, position or shape of your implants for the first couple of weeks. It may take up to a month for them to settle into their proper position.
Appointment: PLEASE REMEMBER your one-week appointment. This is a very important appointment to keep.
Questions: Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions or concerns at 844-232-8865. Big or small, your post-op care is a priority for us!
Post-Procedure: After The First Week
Wear a sports bra all the time (preferably one that buttons in the front), especially when you sleep at night. Do not wear an under wire bra for one month. After one month, you can wear any bra you like.
Do not lift any thing heavy. Listen to your body- if something hurts, don’t do it.
It is okay to shower. Do not take a bath, get into the Jacuzzi, the ocean or lakes for ONE MONTH.
It is okay to walk or do a low setting on the treadmill, elliptical machine, etc. Do not do any heavy lifting, running, or upper body exercises for one month. After that, slowly start with low weights, increasing if it doesn’t hurt.
For the first month, wear the brown tape on your incisions only. Keep the incisions as dry as possible. If there is any “oozing” from the incisions, call us. The incisions should always remain closed and healthy looking. If there is ever an opening, call us. The incisions may look “bumpy” or “bunched” initially, but that will all resolve in a few weeks.
If you have implants:
It is important to know that you will need to wear a sports bra at night when you sleep for as long as you have implants. This is to prevent the implants from going out to your side.
Massage implants ten reps each, once a day for the next month. It is easier to do this in the shower in the morning, when the warm water helps to relax your muscles. THEN do it once a month in conjunction with your BSE (breast self exam).
Implant warranty ($100) must be filled in and mailed.
It is normal to feel electric shocks or tingling (nerves growing back). Implants take 6 weeks to 3months to drop and feel & look more natural. “Sloshing” goes away in 2-3 weeks. Numbness will usually go away once all the swelling resolves.
Questions: Please call our office at 844-232-8865.
Post-Procedure: After The First Month
It is okay to start exercising and doing upper body workouts. Start slow, and increase as you feel the movement is not causing pain. Remember to listen to your body. If something is painful or causes soreness, do not do it right now and try again in a few days.
The scar is going to continue to heal. It is normal for the scar to be purple or red, or look “bumpy” or “bunched.” Be patient, as this will continue to resolve with time. Do not expose the scar to the sun or to tanning beds (keep it covered with black tape and a bathing suit if you are out in the sun). Most scars can take a year or even longer to fade. Use scar stick twice a day.
You can start to wear normal bras. Under wire bras are okay as well. Remember to always sleep in a sports bra to support your breasts. If you feel the wire is rubbing on your incisions, do not wear a wire or pad the incisions until it is comfortable.
Mammograms are okay and recommended per your primary care physician recommendations.
If you have Implants:
The implants will continue to change: they will get softer and settle into a natural look and position. You may experience tingling and electric shocks as the nerves heal. Be patient and give it at least 6 months for the implants to totally settle into place.
Send in your implant warranty if you have not already done so. There is a $100 option that is recommended to cover the cost of a ruptured implant in the future.
Follow up: remember, we are always here for you for any type of problem. Call us immediately if you feel something is not right. It is our goal for you to have the best result possible, and communication is the key to achieving this goal. Also, feel free to come in on a yearly basis for a checkup.
Post-Procedure: Frequently Asked Questions
Bra: The doctor recommends that you wear the bra as close to 23 hours per day as possible (all day and night, except for the time when you’re in the shower). You will need to wear a sports bra with no under wire for 6 weeks, or until the doctor says you are clear to start wearing a regular bra.
The doctor or nurse will see you at your one-week follow-up appointment and will tell you when is the best time to remove your steri strips. Until then, the only dressings you should remove are the big pieces of white tape and gauze, and only after 36 hours have passed after your surgery.
The doctor recommends you wait 36 hours after your surgery to take your first shower. It is very important that you have a family member or friend there with you when you take your first shower, in case you feel dizzy or weak. You have a list of detailed instructions in your surgery handbook that the nurse gave you at your pre-op appointment, and also a duplicate copy in the envelope that the surgery nurse sent you home with on the day you had surgery.
The doctor or nurse will see you at your 6-week follow-up appointment and will tell you when is the best time to start using your scar stick. After they tell you to begin using it, you will be applying it to your scars twice daily, once in the morning after your shower, and once again before bedtime.
The doctor or nurse will see you at your one-week follow-up appointment and will tell you when is the best time to start sleeping on your stomach. For the first week, the doctor recommends sleeping on your back with your head elevated with two or three pillows to help to reduce swelling.
All of our doctors use dissolving stitches. It is important that you keep your follow up appointments to ensure that the doctors and nurses are able to watch your progress as you heal.
The doctor recommends you wear a sports bra with no under wire for 6 weeks, or until he tells you are clear to start wearing a regular bra. It is important that you remember to wear the bra as close to 23 hours per day as possible (all day and night, except for the time when you’re in the shower).
The doctor or nurse will see you at your one week follow-up appointment and will tell you when is the best time to start exercising. For the first week, the doctor recommends that you focus on resting, and after one week he will generally clear you to start a low-impact exercise routine such as walking or a low-incline setting on an elliptical or bike. After six weeks, he will generally clear you to resume your regular exercise routine, including weight lifting, aerobics and running.
The doctor does not recommend swimming or tub baths for six weeks. You may take showers for the first six weeks after surgery.
It is normal to have swelling and bruising all the way up to six months after surgery, or longer depending on the type of surgery you had done. However, it will get better every day and you will continue to see improvements, especially when combined with a healthy diet and exercise routine after your doctor tells you it is okay to begin exercising.
Your doctor recommends you continue taking the multivitamin for six weeks after your surgery, and even longer if you are able to do so, to promote your overall healthiness.
The doctor recommends that you wear the bra as close 23 hours per day as possible (all day and night, except for the time when you’re in the shower). You will need to wear a sports bra with no under wire for 6 weeks, or until the doctor says you are clear to start wearing a regular bra. You can take a break from wearing the bra while you are in the shower, but it is very important to put it right back on after you dry off from the shower.
breast augmentation surgical tape removal
Surgical tape is frequently used to support, shield, and speed up the healing of incision areas during breast augmentation surgery. Typically, the surgical tape is taken off at your follow-up consultation with your surgeon. In this blog article, we’ll go through how to remove surgical tape after a breast augmentation procedure and offer some advice to make the process easy and painless.
Removing Surgical Tape at the Right Time: Removing surgical tape at the right time depends on your surgeon’s recommendations and how well you are recuperating. The surgical tape is often taken off one to two weeks following a breast augmentation procedure. Based on your unique situation, your surgeon will decide when to do the procedure.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions: When it comes to removing surgical tape, it’s crucial to stick to your surgeon’s detailed instructions. They will provide you advice catered to your particular circumstances. At your follow-up session, be careful to express any worries or inquiries you may have.
Gentle Removal Method: Your surgeon or their medical team will typically remove the surgical tape. To guarantee minimal discomfort and lower the possibility of skin irritation or injury, they will employ a delicate method. Peeling off the tape is done slowly and carefully while paying attention to the incision or hair growth direction.
Use of Adhesive Remover (If Required): Your surgeon may occasionally use a specific adhesive remover to assist dissolve the adhesive and make it easier to remove the surgical tape if it is firmly stuck to the skin. Normally, the adhesive remover is put on the tape and allowed to dry for a little time before attempting to remove it.
Relaxation methods might help you feel more at ease if you’re feeling apprehensive or nervous about the tape removal procedure. You can maintain your composure and relaxation throughout the treatment by engaging in deep breathing exercises, meditation, or relaxing music.
After the surgical tape has been removed, your surgeon could give you particular instructions for looking after the incision areas. This could entail keeping the incisions dry and clean, using prescribed lotions or ointments, and limiting exposure to sunlight or other possible irritants.
After the tape has been removed, it is important to check the incision areas for any indications of infection. Keep a watch out for swelling, redness, warmth, or discharge that gets worse. Immediately get in touch with your surgeon if you have any alarming symptoms.
Remember that each person’s rehabilitation process is distinct, and this material is just meant to serve as a broad overview. Always seek the advice of your physician before removing surgical tape and after surgery, and carefully follow their recommendations.
Conclusion: Your surgeon or members of their medical team will normally remove surgical tape following breast augmentation surgery. You may assure a simple and painless tape removal procedure by according to your surgeon’s instructions, practicing relaxation methods, and keeping an eye out for any symptoms of infection at the incision sites. You should discuss any worries or inquiries you might have with your surgeon, since they are the greatest source for individualized support and care during your recuperation.
What happens if you remove surgical tape too soon
It is important to not only know how to remove Steri-Strips but to know when it’s safe to do so.
Steri-Strips—also called butterfly stitches, butterfly closures, or wound closure strips—are adhesive bandages used by surgeons as a backup to dissolvable stitches or when regular stitches are removed. They are one of several ways to keep surgical incisions stable, alongside traditional surgical tape, a surgical glue called Dermabond, or non-adhesive dressings like Xeroform that fully cover a wound but do not stick.
As a general rule, Steri-Strips are meant to be worn until they fall off but may be removed in certain instances if your surgeon gives you the OK.
This article provides instructions on how to safely remove Steri-Strips and advises when wound closure strips should not be removed.
What Are Steri-Strips?
Steri-Strips are narrow pieces of tape used for cuts that cling to the skin better than ordinary tape. They are commonly used to keep incisions stabilized after stitches have been removed.
Steri-Strips can also be used immediately after surgery with dissolvable stitches. In this instance, they help stabilize the wound from the outside while the dissolvable stitches secure the incision from the inside. By doing so, the edges of the incision remain aligned, and there is no “ladder rung” scarring that traditional stitches can cause.
Steri-Strips are hypoallergenic but may cause irritation and itchiness in some. You can stop Steri-Strips itching by placing a cold compress over the incision or taking an antihistamine like Benadryl.
At the same time, the itching may be due to the stitches rather than the strip. Applying a light moisturizer may help if your surgeon gives you the OK.
In some cases, the surgeon will apply a liquid adhesive, called tincture of benzoin, to keep Steri-Strips securely in place. If so, the adhesive will need to be removed with a special solvent.
Are Steri-Strips Better?
Though Steri-Strips offer definite benefits, they may or may not be any more effective than traditional surgical tape.
A 2018 study in Advanced Biomedical Research reported that surgical tape was equally effective as Steri-Strips in healing facial sutures based on the width and depth of the resulting scar. A 2015 study from the University of California, Davis reported the same.
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How to Remove Steri-Strips
As a general rule, Steri-Strips are left on until they fall off, usually within 14 days. If they are still on after 14 days, your surgeon may give you the OK to remove them yourself.
When it comes to removing Steri-Strips, the key is to take things slowly and never yank them off. Steri-Strips are far stickier than standard adhesive bandages so tugging at them forcefully can injure the wound and underlying skin.
Here is how to remove Steri-Strips when the time is right:
If any adhesive residue remains on the skin, gently remove it with baby oil, lotion, or medical adhesive remover purchased at your local drugstore. Try not to pick it away with your fingernail, especially if it is close to the wound.
Warning
Removing Steri-Strips early can cause wound dehiscence, a complication in which the edges of a wound no longer meet, causing unsightly scarring and an increased risk of infection.
You should never remove Steri-Strips on your own if tincture of benzoin has been used to secure the tape. This should be done in your surgeon’s office with a special adhesive remover.
Unless your surgeon tells you otherwise, leave Steri-Strips on for the recommended time even if they are itchy or irritating.
After Removing Steri-Strips
Once the Steri-Strips are removed, gently wash the area with soap and water and pat—don’t rub—the skin dry. The wound may still be healing, and you don’t want to irritate it.
If you see patches of dried blood or dead skin, do not remove them. Let them fall off on their own.
You will need to protect the area until the wound has fully healed. This includes avoiding textured clothes that can get snagged on burrs or scabs,
Never scrub the wound or use products like rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine that can irritate tissues and slow healing.
You will want to leave the skin open to the air as much as possible once the strips are removed. With that said, if there is any minor oozing, apply a sterile dressing and call your healthcare provider if the oozing is significant or persistent.
When Not to Remove Steri-Strips
As a general rule, it is usually best to wait until the Steri-Strips fall off on their own. You should only remove the strips when your surgeon gives you the OK. Even then, there may be times when you will still need to wait.