:001_tongue: They used some serious tape on the surgery sites. Not the cute little papery stuff we use that works itself off after it gets wet a few times.

I noticed my skin was getting red under the tape and went to pull it off. It is stuck tight. It about takes the skin with it and I worry about the wound scab itself coming off. Plus I am not one of our esteemed RN's here so admit it was making me squeemish. :crying: I didn't take it off the large incision yet. I'll give it another day or two and then close my eyes.

:001_tongue: They used some serious tape on the surgery sites. Not the cute little papery stuff we use that works itself off after it gets wet a few times.

I noticed my skin was getting red under the tape and went to pull it off. It is stuck tight. It about takes the skin with it and I worry about the wound scab itself coming off. Plus I am not one of our esteemed RN's here so admit it was making me squeemish. :crying: I didn't take it off the large incision yet. I'll give it another day or two and then close my eyes.

OH ... you just brought to mind something I need to talk to Dr. A about .... I'm allergic to the adhesive on that tape ... when I give blood and they tape it, you should see the rash; heck, you should see what my skin looks like if I use a bandaid ... okay esteemed RNs ... is there an alternative to the surgical tape or am I just going to look like a red mess once I am allowed to remove it?

When I have had other surgery they used a 'papery' type of surgical tape it doesn't seem to have the same adhesive. But I yield to the nurses here.

They have hypoallergenic tape, lots of different kinds. I'm sure some of the RN's around here will agree. I am not a RN but do work in the medical field, we use LOTS of tape on the EEG wires and other leads we hook our patients up to, mostly on the tender areas like the face, chest and legs. But, even if you use the most hypoallergenic tape out there you still will get red if you rip it off.

Sounds like they might have used steri-strips which are strips of adhesive paper tape used with an adhesive liquid to help them stick. They will eventually fall off on their own after a week or two. Does it have lines going through it? If so, thats what it is. VergasAngel, as far as allergies, it sounds like perhaps the latex or plastic in the tape and bandaids may cause skin rashes. Ask for paper tape. Most people handle that without problems.

Yep, you got it with the steri strips from your description. I had to pull them off as I could see redness of the skin developing under them.

They have hypoallergenic tape, lots of different kinds. I'm sure some of the RN's around here will agree. I am not a RN but do work in the medical field, we use LOTS of tape on the EEG wires and other leads we hook our patients up to, mostly on the tender areas like the face, chest and legs. But, even if you use the most hypoallergenic tape out there you still will get red if you rip it off.

Just red I wouldn't mind, I get small hives and they itch like crazy.

I am an RN and I am allergic to adhesive tape. I made that clear in writing and verbally. Dr. Aceves uses paper tape so... no worries. Silk tape is another good alternative to adhesive tape. For those having surgery in the U.S. who are allergice to adhesive tape, ask for dermabond. It's basically sterile glue and it's EXPENSIVE. Surgeons love it but hospital budgets don't so ASK for it.

Steri-strips help incisions approximate (come together to heal) and are meant to stay on for a week to ten days. As you shower, they loosen and then easily pull away after the 7-10 days have elapsed. Reddened areas are normal.

Okay...so question...I don't break out in rashes, but if the tape is left on my skin for too long, my skin will actually like, I don't know the best way to describe it is, like melt. So, I am thinking I would need the other tape, but i want whatever will be best to help everything heal. What should I get the paper, or hope that I will be okay after 7 days? My husband says just get the paper to be safe, but you guys have used it, what do you think?

Dr. Aceves does not use adhesive, he uses paper so you'll be fine.

Why did mine feel so thick? It really fought me to get it off.

Rosebud2...who was your surgeon? I guess I can always ask to make sure I get the paper kind.

Rosebud2...who was your surgeon? I guess I can always ask to make sure I get the paper kind.

RB2 went to Dr. Aceves, just like we are going to :confused1:

But I thought Dr. Aceves does not use that kind of tape...I am confused. W/E I will just ask for the paper kind! LOL

I don't know what that stuff is that Dr. Aceves uses, but I took it off as soon as I got home. It left a red mark where it was, in the same shape. I then used a Bandaid (bandaid brand lol) and it left a red mark in the bandaid shape...guess I'm allergic. It took about 2 months for that bandaid mark to go away...it was so weird....

I have dark strip marks on my right arm that I think were caused by the tales that were holding the shunts etc in place for the 3 days after surgery. They look a bit like bruises but are just pigmentation. I hope they will go away eventually as they are quite unsightly.

I suppose if I covered my entire body with the things for a few days it would give me a magnificent suntan.