When to remove tape from Breast implant removal scars?

Question

Hi! I had my silicon breast implants removed. They were removed from the same scar I had, the areola. The doctor said I can remove the tape he used on the scars by myself. I would like to make sure what the best time would be to remove the tapes, in order to obtain minimum scaring. .One, two, three weeks, or more? Thank you!!!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Best to ask your surgeon for their specific recommendation, but I tell patients to leave the tape alone as it will fall off on its own.  Occasionally, if the dressings become saturated by blood or other discharge the tape can be exchanged.  Hope this helps.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

This question is best answered by your surgeon who is most familiar with the details of your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery.  The time frame to remove the tape will depend on the tape used.  For example if steri strips are used they can stay on essentially until they begin to come off on their own as long as they aren't causing issues.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

I like to leave the tape on for at least 2 weeks. If the tape needs changing prior to 2 weeks, you should see your surgeon.

Lori H. Saltz, MD (retired) · Answer

In telling you to remove the tapes along your incision lines "whenever" I would infer that your surgeon used dissolving sutures to close the wound. Some surgeons will tell you to leave the tapes on for months and others weeks which just tells you that there is no "right" answer. In my experience, I have found that moisture can get trapped under the tapes especially if they are submerged in water (bath, pool, ocean, etc.) and the incision and the uppermost layer of suture is broken down or weakened allowing the incision to open slightly. This is uncommon with breast augmentations but is more so with breast lifts or tummy tucks. So I remove the tapes at two weeks and let the incision stay dry. I tell my patients they can start using scar creams at one month if the choose to. Silicone sheeting usually found in the Band-Aid aisle of the drugstore are the most cost effective scar treatments I have found for breast augmentations, but there are numerous more costly scar creams you can buy. You should be aware that all scars go through a maturation process that takes a year or more. Around three months you may notice that your scars get a little redder and raised. This is part of the process but sometimes gets out of hand and forms a hypertrophic scar. This can be treated with injections which is why I see my patients at around three months and again at six. Most scars around the areola will heal beautifully in time no matter what you do so don't worry too much about it. Just enjoy the results. Oh! do be careful to keep your scars out of the sun this summer. Damaging rays can get through many bathing suits so cover the incisions underneath just to be safe. Also your chest skin is also a little more prone to sunburn the first year so wear a good sunblock.

When to remove tape from Breast implant removal scars?

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