Should my dr had cleaned or changed my tape at my 2 week post op? (photo)

Seems kind of silly but I agree with the other doctors its never nice for patients to be confused. I put tape on and tell them if it falls off it falls off and dont do anything besides keep it clean

We use absorbable sutures under the skin with no outside sutures.  we place a steri strip with no mastersol lengthwise along the incision no more than  1/4 inch longer than the incision, to avoid tape burn.The patient can shower and dab dry, the following day. If the tape is bloody, we change it.  The steri strip often lasts three weeks when we lift all restrictions and start massages. Different strokes for different folks.

I always put small white surgical tapes over the incision, called steri-strips, and even change them at 2 weeks, leaving them on another week or two. The tapes help to reinforce the incision while it’s healing, and I think it leads to better scar formation than if you didn’t use them. I don't regularly advise massage. However, you should listen to your surgeon.

Every surgeon has their own madness about scars and tapes. I generally place special tape over the entire incision in the operating room. My patients are allowed to shower 48 hrs after the surgery and can get their tapes wet. I just ask them to dry them fully, even blow dry on cool air after wards. The tapes generally stay on around 14 days, at that point I remove them and ask the patient to wash the area over the next week or so. They may start scar treatment at about 4 weeks post op.

Hope that helps.

The steristrips help with scarring. Leave them on as long as possible. I like it when they stay on for three weeks. I have my patients start massage after one week and continue for three months. Be sure to communicate with your doctor your concerns. Every plastic surgeon has different thoughts about postoperative care. Good luck.

Obviously I did not operate or have examined you,but i hate confused patients. All my patients can get in touch with me 24/7. Questions that get answered right away and problems that are treated right away are usually easily dealt with. Give your surgeon a call and ask what exactly he wants done

Hello, As many have stated, most surgeons have different methods for the management of their post operative dressings. I leave steri-strips on for 2-3 weeks. If they haven't fallen off by 3 weeks, I remove them and advise patients to begin massaging the scars and breast - very gently just to stimulate circulation. I also encourage the use of silicone scar sheeting post operatively.

Looking at your photos the tape looks reasonably clean. Almost all plastic surgeons have very different ways of managing their patients post operatively. I normally say tape up for about 4 weeks and massage the scar lines for about a total of 6 weeks.Follow your surgeons instructions and if there are any concerns then call and speak to the nurse.RegardsStephen Salerno

You will find that different plastic surgeons may have different thoughts about incision line care. Even though each surgeon may have their preferences, this does not mean that there is a right or wrong way of doing things. I would suggest that you follow your own plastic surgeons recommendations but do not hesitate to communicate your questions/concerns/confusion with him. Best wishes.