Steri-strip care?

Hi all, I'm one week post-op as of today, and still have my steri-strips on my lap incisions. Up until this morning I also had on the bandaids they had put over the strips as well, but took them off before a shower because they tend to hang on to moisture and were getting a bit iffy-looking.

I wasn't given much in the way of post-op info from my doctor's sheet -- I don't even have lifting or driving restrictions which I found odd (both say "none" next to them). I've left a message with my doctor's nurse and while I wait to hear back (it usually takes a while) I thought I'd see what everyone else thought first regarding the strips and what your experiences have been. The ones in my belly button are looking a bit irritated and I especially worry about moisture there (though I try to dry as well as I can after I shower)

I had a TAH and the skin was closed with surgical glue and Steri Strips. I was instructed to leave them on as long as possible and just wash the area gently with antibacterial soap and pat dry. Mine stayed on until my 1st post op appointment at 2.5 weeks - the surgeon removed them then and a layer of skin!! The Steri Strips were applied with a layer of Mastisol under them for extra adhesion.

I've seen where other ladies use a hair dryer on a cool setting to thoroughly dry the area if there is some belly overhang. Keeping the area dry is key to prevent infection - both bacterial and fungal.

I didn't have laproscopic surgery but had an abdominal incision. My instructions were that the steri-strips would eventually start to come off on their own. I was not to rub that area after showers. Just pat dry.
I had 17 strips on my incision and only lost 2 on the ends by the time of my 2 week follow up, which is when my doctor went ahead and removed them all.
I would think if the band-aids were getting iffy it's probably okay that they're off. So that way they're not holding any yucky stuff in there.
But its a good thing you have a call in to your doctor.

As far as other instructions, I can just tell you what I was told, although my incisions were different than yours.
No lifting another larger than a gallon of milk. No bending. No driving for 2 weeks. Definitely no vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping (i sadly miss doing those. HAHA).
There is a checklist somewhere on the site here that I think is wonderful. You could check that out and see what's listed. I found it to be a wonderful piece of information!

Get some rest!! Happy healing.

i had an LSH and was told to remove the steri-strips one week postop. i also lost a layer or three of skin - enough so that several areas were bleeding. not fun.

i was told no driving for two weeks, and then only if not taking narcotics. no lifting over 20lbs, which i'm still adhering to until told otherwise (i'm just over 4 weeks postop now).

I had a SAH BSO, horizontal abdominal incision with subcutaneous sutures and came home with steri-strips. I was told to leave them be until my 3 week post-op visit. I could shower but was advised against soaking them - pretty much I stayed turned sideways or with my back to the water. The strips stayed tight for the full 3 weeks - none came off or loosened. The surgeon removed them at the 3 week appt. The admonition to keep them from getting soaked was more for the incision - while I could get it slightly wet, he didn't want it drenched as it would cause the skin at the incision to swell and pucker outwards and leave a not too pretty scar once it healed. I have to say I followed his advice carefully, and now, almost 3 months out, the incision looks great - thin line, no swelling along the incision and getting lighter in color. I had the same result with my 3 c-section incisions so I have to believe it works.

As for lifting, I ws told nothing heavier than 10 pounds until cleared at 6 weeks - same for all exercise save walking. No housework, lifting laundry, washing floors, vacuuming, etc. I was told I could drive after two weeks but truthfully, didn't start until about 3 because it hurt to be in the car. When in the car - as either a driver or passenger - it helps to take along a pillow to put over your belly under the seatbelt. And take your cues from how you feel - if you're tired, rest. Don't push it. Your body needs time to heal - we only have one chance to do it right. It often can seem like two steps forward and one back - but that's normal.

Good luck and keep asking questions - the women who share on this site are a wonderful resource!

I removed the "bandaids" after my first shower as they became wet. Steri strips were removed by me at 2 weeks; they did not start to peel themselves. I took them off pre shower as the hot shower water tends to make the strips "gummy" and "sticky". My stitches are still in at week 4; they are self disolving. Keep the incision areas dry all the time and expose to open air as often as possible.