Can I Take the Steri Strips off Around the Areola Now?

asked 1 year ago by acup33
Latest answer by Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Question viewed 618 times
Tags: areola, female, lollipop

I had a lollipop lift after explants 3 weeks and 2 days ago. The steri strips underneath the breast have mostly peeled off but the ones around the areola and still on there tightly and to take them off will involve a bit of pulling the skin. Shouldn't the wounds be healed by now? I would like to take off the steri strips so that I can put vitamin E cream on the scars. Is this advisable or should I wait until they come off on their own like my surgeons nurse says?

7 answers to Can I Take the Steri Strips off Around the Areola Now?

Ask Your Surgeon About Removing Steri-strips

I sometimes ask my patients to leave their steri=strips in place fpr as long as 4 weeks. I agree that you should ask your surgeon whether he/she is comfortable with you removing them at this point as you and he/she both have vested interest in you obtaining the best result possible.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

How long should steri strips remain on after mastopexy?

You should and need to contact your operating plastic surgeon for instructions regarding the steri strips. As you can see by reading the recommendations, there is a considerable variability of opinion which doesn't mean any one approach is necessarily better than another. Find out what YOUR plastic surgeon suggests and follow that routine.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

RE: Can I Take the Steri Strips off Around the Areola Now?

Hi acup33, Thank you for your question. It is best to follow the instructions as directed by your plastic surgeon. The steri strips are helping your sutures repair the wounds. Taking them off too early or improperly may increase the risk for more scarring. If you are concerned that the steri strips have been in place too long, a call to your plastic surgeon would be recommended, on how to proceed with removal of the steri strips. To clarify, I am a board certified plastic... more

Sam Speron, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Steri-strips and brest lift suture lines.

Each plastic surgeon has a different protocol on how to handle the suture lines. In order to minimize scar visibility I recommend to my patients to leave the steri strips on for as long as they can and even up to one year,provided they tolerate it well without irritation nor excoriation of the skin. I advise to change the steris after they take their shower. If the steri strips cause irritation there are other alternatives such as creams .

Erel Laufer, M.D.
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Steri-strips and incisions

You should ask your doctor about this because each doctor may have a little different philosophy about how they want to treat the scars.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants and Healing

I would suggest that your following your Surgeon's instructions. If they have not fallen off by week 4, give your Nurse a call and ask if you can gently roll off the bandages. As Surgeon's we place rules in place for a reason. It's in your best interest to follow them. Best wishes!