Post op stitches crease incision. What can I use? (Photo)

Hello,Thank you for your question. You can likely call your Plastic Surgeon's office for specific instructions regarding washing & incision care. They should be able to replace strips for you or advise you to pick some up at the pharmacy. Until your incisions are totally closed it is important to keep the area clean and keeping them covered for 2-3 weeks can reduce your infection risk. Steri strips are typically able to get wet but I recommend to my BA patients that they avoid baths, swimming pools and hot tubs for two weeks post op. All the best 

Every surgeon has different tools to help with scar management.  I typically use skin glues or steri strips, both which only need to cover the incision for 2-3 weeks.  After that point, we start scar therapy which can range from silcone gel sheeting to vitamin e oil and manyothers.  I think silicone based products normally help the scar heal the best.  Discuss all of this with your surgeon as they can explain the reasons for their particular post operative plan before starting any of the other substances.

Every plastic surgeon is slightly different as far as how he or she manages the incision. Therefore it is best to ask your surgeon. In my practice I use all dissolvable sutures with dermbond surgical glue. I have the patient remove the dressing and bra after 2 days at which point they can shower. Once the dressing covering the incision is removed I leave it open to dry, covered only by the surgical bra.Best wishes

You should speak to your surgeon, every surgeon has his protocol. I change the dressings at 3 days and completely remove them at 1 week. For IMF incisions i use dissolvable sutures.Good luck!

Its best to speak with your surgeon.  Every surgeon is different in their postop plan.  If the tape is coming off and you can get new tape from the pharmacy, then you can remove and replace.  Good Luck"The above answer has been given without seeing this
patient and cannot be substituted for actual in-person examination and medical
advice; it is only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical
professional for appropriate care."

Steri strips usually begin to fall off after about a week. Surgeons have different preferences, which tells you that no one way has ever been proven the best.  After a week or so, typically one can begin scar therapy with Scar guard or Mederma or silicone sheeting. Again, surgeons have their preferences which means no one modality has been proven better than another.  The absorbable sutures usually are completely absorbed in 6-7 weeks. As far as showering, yes its fine to get the incisions wet after a week.  Speak with your surgeon about his or her preferences.Best wishes,Michael Morrissey, MD

Thank you for your question.  I encourage you to call your physician's office for specific advice.That said after 10 days I typically removed breast augmentation sutures and did not cover the skin.  I do start topical wound care such as Scar guard at about 2-3 weeks.