hey all, I'm 10 days out. On my 1week post op, my dr removed the steri strips from my incisions. Now, I have sticky gunk and what had stuck to it all over my belly in the outline of where the strips were. I tried alcohol on a swab and oil (very carefully as to not get too close to the actual wound) with no luck, any suggestions?

My doctor told me nail polish remover.

Glad my surgeon didn't use that. He used dissolvable glue over my stitches.

Nail polish remover, or vinegar, usually does the trick. Or after a shower, gently rub off with a washcloth.

i never thought of nail polish remover, I'll have to try that. I may wait a few more days though, I don't know if something so harsh is great for that area just yet!

i never thought of nail polish remover, I'll have to try that. I may wait a few more days though, I don't know if something so harsh is great for that area just yet!

Certainly don't put the (whatever you use) on the cut/incised area, just where the sticky stuff is on your intact skin. Otherwise, wait a few days; the sticky areas will get a little dirty and "beady," and with Vaseline or gentle pressure and a cloth, just roll them into little gummy beads and they'll come off. No biggie, in any case. Just keep everything clean to prevent infection or darker scars.

I had success with sweet almond oil. Just FYI in case this would work......when my daughters were little kidlets, I would use Peanut Butter to get gum out of their hair. But I believe the concept here is that something slicky will do better than something soapy.

I just used body moisturizer with a face cloth and it worked great to get the gunk off

The surgeon said my steri strips would fall off.... but after 16 days - they are still intact.... think it's ok to pull them off? I would like to clean the gunk off! lol

For the other remaining gunk that the EKG sticky bits left on my body.. I just used my fingernail in the shower and it seemed to help get it off.

i used rubbing alcohol

There is this stuff called uni-solve... I use it on my dad alot to get tape & stuff off of him for a wound I take care of on him... it is great & works wonders on the tape & gunk...

Edited July 12, 201412 yr by cherbear33

I found success with the nail polish remover! Finally my belly doesnt look like a lint trap!