11 days post op. And steri strip seems close to be coming off?

Question

I'm worried 11 days post op surgeon said take steri strip off after two weeks panicking because I'm afraid the incision isn't healed as well as the other

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

This is not uncommon. Your incision should be closed with sutures. Ask your surgeon for the next course of action. Regards.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Steristrips normally loosen and start to fall off on their own 10-14 days after a procedure.  Your incision should be healed enough that removal will not affect its appearance.  Hope this helps.

John Zavell, MD, FACS · Answer

Steri-strips often begin to peel and/or fall off at about 1-2 weeks.  This is normal and your incision should have sutures in it that will allow for further wound healing after the strips are removed.

Lawrence Rosenberg, MD · Answer

At two weeks your incision should be sufficiently healed to allow removal of the steri strips.  If you are concerned you should contact your surgeon.  You may also trim the strips that have lifted up.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Usually ster-strips are placed over incisions that have deeper sutures that dissolve over time. At 11 days, your incisions are most likely healing well enough to not have them on anymore. But, a good thing would be to touch base with you surgeon to see if he wants you to replace them.

Robert Shenker, MD · Answer

A steri strip possesses no magical qualities....it is a glorified band aid.  If it is barely hanging on, remove it and replace it.  Steri strips can be purchased at any pharmacy, or just use a garden variety band aid.  At 11 days after surgery, the steri strip is not doing anything useful anyway.I hope this helps! R. Robert Shenker MD FRCSC

Kyle Shaddix, MD · Answer

Some surgeons take the steri strips off at 3 weeks.  Others at 2 weeks.  Some do so at 1 week.  Others don't put them on at all.  The fact is that your incision is closed with several layers of suture that you can't see.  These sutures combined with 11 days of your own body's healing have created a strong closure of the incision.  The steri strips are of little importance at this point.  So don't worry.  If all of the steri strips fell off at this very moment, you would be perfectly fine.  I hope this helps and puts you at ease, at least a little bit.

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

Eleven days out should be good incision healing.An alternative is to remove the strips and replace with paper tape from the pharmacy.Paper tape is a reasonable alternative for supporting an incision after steri stips

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

This is normal-steristrips rarely stay on 2 weeks. You can trim the curled up parts with scissors and wait till they all fall off.

11 days post op. And steri strip seems close to be coming off?

Answers (9)

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