Ack! Surgical Tape Removal?

[green27]

I had my post-op a week ago and my surgeon told me that if my tape hadn't fallen off in a week I should pull it off. Some of the tape around the edges has peeled up a little, but it's mostly intact.

I started to pull it off very slowly and carefully and I'm kinda freaking out because there is a lot of dried blood and scab under there. Obviously this is normal, because it's an incision. But I don't know if I should leave the tape on a little longer or go ahead and remove it so I can ho ahead and start using the scar guard. Does anybody remember how they dealt with the surgical tape?

[Alexthecat]

I mostly let it come off on it's own after a few weeks. I think to get the final bit off in the middle of the incision I soaked in the bath. I had to be careful because some sutures knots were stuck under there. Little manicure scissors were required. A week sounds really soon to remove the tape.

[FTMax]

My surgeon told me to let it come off on it's own, regardless of how long it took. Mine came off just over a week post-op due to a combination of sweat and showering. I'd leave it on. If you're going to fiddle with it, do it in the shower where the adhesive can break down easier and won't pull as much.

I'd also check with your surgeon about how soon is too soon for scar products. I didn't use any, so I'm not sure. But you're still pretty fresh at this point, so I wouldn't go putting anything on there just yet.

[invisiblemonsters]

Taking them off in a week seems way too soon. Most people are just getting their drains out by then. I was told to let them fall off on their own as well. The only ones i got removed were my nipple dressings and that was from a nurse to make sure the grafts were taking. She used saline to remove it. As for the scar stuff, you have to wait until your scars are healed and your stitches are gone. I think the waiting time is about a month.

[green27]

I explained this badly, haha. Sorry guys.

I had my post op appointment 1 week ago, so I am 2 weeks post op at this point.

Some of the tape is already coming off so I think I'm just gonna trim that part off and leave the rest to fall off on its own.

[invisiblemonsters]

I explained this badly, haha. Sorry guys.

I had my post op appointment 1 week ago, so I am 2 weeks post op at this point.

Some of the tape is already coming off so I think I'm just gonna trim that part off and leave the rest to fall off on its own.

still early. just let them fall off and trim what is falling off/getting in the way. mine stayed on about a month tbh. it helps make your scars thinner.

[FTMax]

If the ends are flapping around, you can cut them off. Mine did that and were making the area extra itchy, so I trimmed them. Just be extra aware of the exposed area for the first day or so. Consider covering it with gauze or something.

[2fish]

As the tape began to come off of my incisions I just cut them. Eventually I felt grossed out by them and pulled them off. Must have been about a week and a half.

[ridleysw]

I had surgery on February 4th, so I am 10 days post-op.  I had my drains removed on the 10th.  My doctor's instructions for the tape: let it come off naturally.  If small bits start to peel away, you can gently pull until that bit rips off (or use small scissors to clip it off), but don't forcefully remove - it will dissolve itself in a few weeks time.

[Ephemeral]

Mine also told me that I can just replace it when it falls off on its own. It can help to flush some water underneath it while you pull though (like, try to do it while you shower), as it will help to peel it off in a very gentle way (no pulling, but the force of the water will clean up and absolve any dried up blood/scabs including removing whatever what's left of the glue.