How Long Should Surgical Tape Stay on Incision After a Full Tummy Tuck?

Hi Brenda8874,
Thank you for your question regarding how long should surgical tape stay on an incision after a full tummy tuck. Every plastic surgeon is different and has their own way of treating patients. In my practice, I do not use tape at all. In my experience, tape causes more problems than benefits. Specifically, tape can cause blisters which can lead to permanent blister scars. Therefore, I have found tape to be more detrimental than helpful. In general, however, the tape should fall off about one to two weeks after your tummy tuck. When the tape falls off is multi-variable: It depends on the type tape, if glue was used, and if you are showering. If you are uncomfortable with removing the tape, please contact your plastic surgeon’s office to have it removed.  Thank you for your question regarding when tape should be removed after a full tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. I hope I have answered your question regarding post-operative care after a tummy tuck. If you have more questions regarding plastic surgery or recovery after a tummy tuck, please contact my office. Thank you!
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

We all have varying opinions on this topic.  I like to change the tape weekly for three weeks.  Some doctors leave it on for only one week, some have patients change it weekly for several months.  I recommend you do what your surgeon recommends.  Most patients are able to easily remove it - maybe in the shower or after when everything is wet.  Good luck!Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring

It’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative
routine and instructions following surgery.If you have questions regarding post-operative care you shouldn’t
hesitate to contact your surgeon.In our
practice we usually leave steristrips in place for 2 to 3 weeks following
abdominoplasty surgery.After three
weeks we remove the steristrips and start local wound care.In most cases we recommend massage of the
scar.This is often combined with
Vitamin E ointment or mederma.It’s
important to realize that each surgeon has his own post-operative routine.For this reason, it’s important to follow
your surgeons directions closely.

If you have questions about wound care after a tummy tuck they are properly addressed to your surgeon's office.

Thank you for your post. In tummy tuck and other lift/tightening surgeries, tension is the enemy. The scar is healing gradually over 12 weeks or so, and until it is strong, it is the weakest link. As there is a great deal of tension in tummy tucks, body lifts, breast lifts, etc., the scar is at high risk of 'stretching' or widening. Silicone sheeting, although having the ability to make a scar flat, does nothing to prevent stretching of the scar. Creams or steroids or lasers also do not have the ability to prevent stretching of the scar. Those are used if scar is thick or dark, but not to reduce the wideness of the scar, which is the main problem. Massage also does not help keep the scar thin, and can actually worsen the scar in the first 12 weeks because you are actually adding tension to the scar. Massage is for softening a hard or thick scar, but if used early, will hasten the scar widening. Only tension reduction has the ability to keep the scar as thin as possible. You may notice in a lot of tummy tuck scars that the center portion of the scar is the widest with the sides toward the hips being the thinnest. This is because the maximum tension is at the center, and least amount on the sides. Embrace removes a lot of the tension by putting more tension on the skin on either side of the incision and drawing the incision together. It is expensive though at about $100 per week for 12 weeks. When patients do not want to spend the money for embrace, I tape the incision trying to remove as much tension as possible for 12 weeks and recommend no stretching back and to sit most of the time, keeping tension off the scar.Best wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

You should follow the recommendation of your surgeon.  If you are uncomfortable with removing the tape yourself, then contact the surgeon's office and let them know.  It can be a very quick visit for you and if it eases your mind, then go for it.For more information, please go to my website at:WirthPlasticSurgery.com

Taping incisions has been shown to improve scar outcome. I have patients tape as long as they can tolerate doing it. In the beginning you want to make sure that the incisions are not wet beneath the tape because the skin can become macerated. In the end here you just need to ask what your surgeon likes to do and follow their advice. 

Each surgeon has his own management protocol, but I must say that the practice  of leaving  the surgical tape staying on the incision  as long as possible is convenient and usually has the advantage of better quality and  aesthetics  of scar because this takes away stress to the wound and there is less traction

I require my patients to keep their incisions taped for the first month. Each person heals differently so on occasion I may have a patient where some a little longer. Your surgeon has their own thoughts on this so make sure you stay in touch with your PS. 

You should follow the recommendations of your plastic surgeon, if he wants the tape off at 2 weeks that is what you should do.  Personally I like to keep the incisions taped for the first three weeks,  we begin changing it daily after one week.  I think it keeps some of the early tension off of the incision and helps make a nicer scar.