Should I Replace my Steri Strips if They Have Blood Underneath? (photo)

Question

i had breast reduction surgery 5 days ago and i have dried blood sitting under my steri strips. my doctor showed me how to replace them. i am just wondering if it is too early. i dont want to tug too hard on anything or get and infection by keeping them on.

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

I would keep them on until the edges start to spontaneously lift off. Then they will come off very easy without sticking to the skin and potentially separating the incisions. Then replace as instructed by your plastic surgeon.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Always  best to check with your own plastic surgeon about concerns after surgery. Make sure there was no misunderstanding about the postoperative instructions.

	Online consultants will not be able to provide you with meaningful advice.
	Best wishes;  hopefully, you will be very pleased with the  long-term outcome of the breast reduction procedure.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

If you surgeon "taught" you how to do this than follow his/her instructions. In my opinion I would not allow my own patients to do that.

Stuart B. Kincaid, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

In our practice we do not want our patients to remove any sterile strips unless recommended by your surgeon. I would follow up with him/her to ask that question.

John Whitt, MD (retired) · Answer

I allow my patients to clean bloody seristrips without changing them by using a Q-tip with hydrogen peroxide. This works well in my practice, but you should ask your surgeon how to deal with this problem since he/she may use a different product or apply them differently.

Should I Replace my Steri Strips if They Have Blood Underneath? (photo)

Answers (5)