My surgeon Is very busy and like 2hrs away so I'm curious how or when did people remove their Patches over those inscisions??

I have 6 individual patches over the holes from surgery 9 days ago I shower everyday without any issues..

When should I remove them or should I go to a nurse or doctor to get it removed???

Or can I do it myself they just look like little holes I can't see any stitches just little holes underneath?

They were changed in the hospital once already but I think they're meant to be removed soon?

I can't get through to my surgeon he's very busy..

There's no coloring or blood or anything the patches look clean and fine..

Thank you.

I was told to just let them fall off on their own. It took 3-4 weeks before all the patches and glue was off.

1 minute ago, catwoman7 said:

I was told to just let them fall off on their own. It took 3-4 weeks before all the Patches and glue was off.

Well that's good if I can do it no nurses needed

9 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I was told to just let them fall off on their own. It took 3-4 weeks before all the Patches and glue was off.

I was told exactly the same thing--and that I should not "help" them come off.

11 hours ago, Mikeyy said:

My surgeon Is very busy and like 2hrs away so I'm curious how or when did people remove their Patches over those inscisions??

I have 6 individual patches over the holes from surgery 9 days ago I shower everyday without any issues..

When should I remove them or should I go to a nurse or doctor to get it removed???

Or can I do it myself they just look like little holes I can't see any stitches just little holes underneath?

They were changed in the hospital once already but I think they're meant to be removed soon?

I can't get through to my surgeon he's very busy..

There's no coloring or blood or anything the patches look clean and fine..

Thank you.

Mine (glue type) fell off a few weeks later in the shower & I was in no rush. If yours is gauze type try to keep everything as dry and clean as possible (field/triage medicine rules ?)

Edited November 6, 20196 yr by GreenTealael

Mine are sticky little white patches one fell off already...

Just some 2-cents from a nurse:

These patches are dressings designed to keep your incisions together as they heal and are intended to stay on for a week or more. They will fall off on their own. If the edges of yours are coming loose or fraying, trim them off. Clean cuticle scissors are perfect for this.

Do not pull them off without the express direction of your doctor. The only time I've seen doctors pull them off is if you're having an allergic reaction to the adhesive or are showing signs of infection.

Only one fell off after 9 days post op...

24 minutes ago, Mikeyy said:

Only one fell off after 9 days post op...

Totally normal. I think mine stayed on for a month.

They are likely "Steri-Strips." They usually fall off after a couple weeks or so. After your showers, I'd suggest you do pat them dry, though, because moisture can hold bacteria.

But when you see them basically hanging off, while gently pressing down on the skin from which the loose part separated, go ahead and peel off the last bit, as long as you aren't feeling a tug of the skin tissue below. But yes, they normally ease off after a while.

Also, do you have a post-op appointment? Oftentimes, the nurse or whomever will check them, and advise or remove them then, if they are basically hanging off.