I am in a deadlocked battle with surgical tape. At my post-op, they took off the steri-strips that has been applied after the surgery, and replaced them with wide, brown surgical tape. They told me I could take them off in a week, which was a week ago. I was so not ready for that a week ago, and now I'm in a standoff.
I googled "remove surgical tape" and found that I'm not alone- a lot of post-oppers engage in this battle, reluctant to pull off the tapes because 1) they worry it'll pull their incisions open, and 2) because they'll have to look at the scars full-on for the first time, and forever. I can relate to both of those fears! Many people talked about their tape as "security blankets."
So, a lot of people recommended just leaving them on, until they fall off- or clipping off the ends as they come loose. I want to be ready, I want to believe that everything's lovely under there, I want to move on to the next phase of healing, but I like the incremental option. I am the girl that edges into the pool, allowing each inch to warm up and acclimate to the water before moving on... until I get about hip-deep, then I plunge. I imagine this process will be similar for me.
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5 comments:
I did the slow way for my steri-strips... I had 10 incisions. As the tape begun to come off, I'd clip off the ends, until I only had just a little tape left then I'd pull it all off... It helped me get used to the 10 scars all over my stomach more gradually (and hurt less!)
Oooh Margo, I have been down this road a number of times (6 abdominal surgeries over the years) plus with a couple of the kids. For Joe it was the rip off and see. Corey like you just trimmed a bit as it wore away and eventually fell off.
I did it both ways! Just remember that what the area looks like and the scar does change over time and becomes much less noticeable.
You will really notice later this spring when you dash across the street and realize you do not have to hold yourself to keep from bouncing!
As for the zingers.....oooh I had those too and I think it was around 6 months before they stopped.....
I just enjoyed the 3 Stooges reference.
wow, hang in there! it sounds like someone should invent a new tape adhesive!
da-da-da-doo-doo, I say rip it!
da-da-da-doo-doo, rip it good!
(just kidding - don't try this at home!)
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