Can dissolvable stitches be left uncovered 5 days after surgery?

September 19, 2015
Asked By:julitine in London, GB

I had my BA abroad 3 days ago and I'm not going to have any follow-up visits. My discharge letter says the wound check day is day 5 but I've received no instructions on what to do to the incision sites once the initial dressing (white gauze covered by transparent strips) is removed. Can I cover the stitches with new steristrips without any gauze underneath or should they be left uncovered? I'd like to use silicone sheets at some point but I'm guessing day 5 would be too early to apply these.

Answers (15)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
MOST RECENT
September 21, 2015

Answer: Can I leave my incision uncovered?

1 person found this helpful
Brian K. Reedy, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
MOST RECENT
September 21, 2015

Answer: Can I leave my incision uncovered?

1 person found this helpful
Brian K. Reedy, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
September 21, 2015

Answer: Incisions

1 person found this helpful
Jerome Edelstein, MDCertified Plastic Surgeon
September 21, 2015

Answer: Incisions

1 person found this helpful
Jerome Edelstein, MDCertified Plastic Surgeon
September 21, 2015

Answer: Definitely alright to leave stitches uncovered after 5 days

1 person found this helpful
Sheila S. Nazarian, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
September 21, 2015

Answer: Definitely alright to leave stitches uncovered after 5 days

1 person found this helpful
Sheila S. Nazarian, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

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September 20, 2015

Answer: Wound Healing Is A Complex Subject & Not For The Average Person Be They In London, New York Or Honolulu

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
September 20, 2015

Answer: Wound Healing Is A Complex Subject & Not For The Average Person Be They In London, New York Or Honolulu

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
September 20, 2015

Answer: Inherent flaws with medical tourism

Gary Lawton, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
September 20, 2015

Answer: Inherent flaws with medical tourism

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