I was banded today and noticed that I have a red stain over the entire surgical area and then some - I suppose it is used to clean the surgical site. How does it come off? Soap, Alcohol, or do I just wait for it to fade?

I suppose it's betadine. Give it a few showers and it will fade away before you know it. Congratulations! Welcome to bandland!

A couple of showers and it'll wash away. If it's really bugging you, use a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol, but if you have bandages on, be careful not to get the alcohol on the bandages, because then they'll have trouble sticking.

Soap and water for a few days and/or rubbing alcohol does the trick.

I, too, was just banded on August 7. I have several markings of purple magic marker, which don't seem to want to come off. In addition, I have several small betadine stains. (I think he marked because I didn't wantmy port to be underneath my bra.)

Any hints as to how to get them out?

They'll go away soon. Congratulations to you both.

The areas away from the steristrips I removed with rubbing alcohol. The rest just faded with time and it has been a week since my procedure.