Can dissolvable stitches be left uncovered 5 days after surgery?

Question

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.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your recent surgery! You can recover with steri-strips if you would like but it is not needed, or you may leave uncovered if it is more comfortable for you. I would hold off on silicone sheeting or any scar management until about 3 weeks post-op.  You can always call your surgeons office to see what their guidelines and recommendations are. Best of Luck!

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The tapes should not be removed and then replaced. Silicone sheeting should not be used at 5 days.  There are many things that need to be addressed after surgery.  This is why medical tourism is inherently flawed.Having
surgery abroad is a set-up for problems of this nature.   You need to see
a plastic surgeon, but did not trust the surgeons that work diligently in your
area to provide care to their patients.  The surgeon that you did choose
has no ability and probably no interest in taking care of their postoperative
patients because they know you are not going to fly back to where they are to
seek out care.  So now what?  Bring the problems of another surgeon
to the local doctor who you did not allow to treat you and expect that they
will take care of the postoperative complications? Or go back where you had
your surgery and require that the surgeon that did the surgery take
responsibility for their work?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. I tend to leave my steri strips on closer to two weeks but each Plastic Surgeon has their own preference. If your incisions look ok just keep them clean and follow your Plastic Surgeon's advice. I recommend that you call them if you are uncertain about any instructions.Silicone sheeting or gel is generally not applied until incisions are completely closed and healed- roughly 3 weeks out.Take care

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

It is definitely ok to leave your stitches uncovered after 5 days. However, for the silicone sheets, I would advise that you follow your surgeon's recommendations. Good luck with your recovery!

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Your question is very upsetting to me, and the plastic surgery factory that you went to, at a minimum, has no heart and certainly does not understand the word, medical ethics.In the U.S., not seeing your patients after you performed surgery is known as abandonment, which I am sure would be considered malpractice.  All of your RealSelf team of plastic surgery experts want to help you in making appropriate decisions for the care of your recent breast augmentation.  I believe you should seek out in person medical help before treating your surgical wound.  Most of the time, these wounds go to healing without much trouble, but sometimes they can turn into a true disaster leading to infection and even implant removal, or worse.I am sorry you are going through this, but you are in no position to make medical determinations about how to treat your wound.  Please seek out appropriate in person medical advice such as a physician, an emergency room, or if a plastic surgeon will see you, that would be the best.

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

I would recommend that you leave the steri-strips in place for 1-2 weeks after surgery.  If you need to remove the bandages and reapply the streri-strips, hat should be fine.  I wouldn't recommend applying silicone sheeting or other scar remedies until at least 2 weeks after surgery.  You can always call the office of the surgeon who did your surgery for more specific recommendations.  Best of luck with your recovery!

Michael J. Brown, MD · Answer

Hi,Thanks for posting your question. I am happy to try and help you. It is important to remember that a board certified plastic surgeon will be your best resource when it comes to an accurate assessment of your situation, and concerns. Having said that, different surgeons will use different techniques to close the wounds. There is no one way to do it. There is no one right way to do it either. I am sure if you contacted your PS office they will be happy to answer this with the BEST answer.I hope you found this helpful. Have a great day.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, julitine.  It is unusual to not have follow-up visits after surgery.  Without knowing how your wound closure was performed, I cannot give you an proper scar management.  I close my incisions with dissolvable sutures buried under the skin.  After removing the tape, the incision can be left dry.  After 2-3 weeks, I provide a scar scream.  You want to make sure that your incision is properly healed before applying silicone sheets or scar cream.  Please contact your plastic surgeon for his/her post-operative care instruction.  Good luck with your healing.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Absolutely the stitches can be left uncovered at day 5.  Follow your doctor's advice about silicone sheating etc. It is not always required.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

First of all, why would you have no followup?  Followup is a very important part of any surgery!     Wound care, activity, and implant positioning are all very important issues which must be checked up on regularly by your surgeon to be certain things go well and that you get the best results safely!  It is part of what to pay for.  I recommend that you make an appointment to be seen by your surgeon

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Can dissolvable stitches be left uncovered 5 days after surgery?

Answers (15)

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