When do the Lap band Surgical Strips come off?

[jenlyn122 9]

Im on Day 4 Post Op. When do the surgi-strips come off? My stomach is itching (Im sure from healing) but they bandages are driving me crazy

[brendap 2]

My dr said to leave the strip on and let them fall off naturally. That way we know that everything is healed. I have alot of itching also and I am on Day 6. Only 2 have fallen off so far.

[steelerfan 5]

i think mine were on for about 3 weeks and then i started taking them off...they itched so bad and they itched worse after i took them off. the skin around the incisions where the strips were was all red and irritated, but the incisions themselves looked great. i used a little neosporin, even tho they said i didnt need to, mostly to moisten the area.

[SageTracey 608]

My surgeon removed all but one of mine at my one week check

[cakegirl 12]

I think mine said 12 days for the clear plasters that were on.

[Ashleigh'sMom 4]

My doctor said until they fall off by themselves. At my 15th day appointment, I still had 3 on which he removed.

[xavier 153]

usually you just let them fall off...trim the corners as they peel off and otherwise leave them alone. I have heard bad stories from people who tried to peel them off!

[Twinkles 7]

Mine stayed on for about 2 weeks. But yes, my stomach was itchy itchy itchy the first week. Let them fall off naturally though.

[journeytohealth 1]

did you have the Patches over the strips? i had my surgery on tues (12/13) and i have Patches over the strips. I think (coming out of anesthesia) I was told i could take the patches off after 48 hours but I have no idea bout the strips. They aren't bothering me yet so I guess I'll leave them alone. I have to go back in a week.

[Looseitbeth 1]

i am a week today and all my strips are off.. i have some fishline stiches in yet but all my bandages are off... .i have marks from them and even a burn like mark from one of them mine started to go into my insicion so i pealed them off... i will post on tuesday and let you know if i got yelled at for doing that lol

[Shellie2011 2]

Hi Everyone, I am newly banded 12/20/2011. I was reading the above post about strips over the incisions. I do not have any strips over my incisions and was kinda confused as to why not? My incisions actually look pretty horrible. They look like the surgeon just pinched the skin together and glued it! I was also curious as to the number and size of incisions. does this all vary by Surgeon??

[vingotti33 14]

They will fall off eventually, It takes about fourteen days for your wounds to close (wife is a nurse). Pulling them off too early can cause your wounds to open.

[Lanie M 7]

I have 6 incisions, all different sizes. I was banded on 12/13 and none of the strips have come off yet. They sure do itch though!

[Shellie2011 2]

Thanx for your post Lanie. I have 5 incisions. Mine range in size as well from about an inch to about 3 1/2 inches which I was surprised by...... Mine only had a dark looking glue over them though and no strips. We were told not to shower for 4 days post op so we didn't wash the glue off! Idk I've had several abdominal surgeries and that was a first for me.

[MamaMaryTheBandIt 2]

Hi Everyone, I am newly banded 12/20/2011. I was reading the above post about strips over the incisions. I do not have any strips over my incisions and was kinda confused as to why not? My incisions actually look pretty horrible. They look like the surgeon just pinched the skin together and glued it! I was also curious as to the number and size of incisions. does this all vary by Surgeon??

Shellie, it sounds like your surgeon used durabond. It is a glue. I believe that it will also eventually fall off for you just like the steristrips I have. I have 5 incisions. Mine are not terribly itchy yet. But my port site stings every once in awhile.