Tape Residue around incisiom

[Vinman]

Hi Everyone

I am just over 4 weeks post op.  I have visit with Dr. tomorrow and will post everyone after.  Does anyone have recommendations for taking off the tape residue that is left after step falls off on the incision site?  I didn't have staples or sutures, they used glue and some sort of tape.  I have read elsewhere people using nail polish remover which seems insane and harsh to me.  Anyone have any suggestions on a gentle way to handle?  I will ask tomorrow for sure but am curious as to thoughts...

[Juno]

Full disclosure -- I am a RN. We used acetone in the hospital to remove tape residue all the time. As long as the skin is healed and the incision is well approximated and closed it is fine to use a bit of acetone. Put some on on a cotton ball or a damp wash cloth and just rub the residue off. It's safe.
What you don't get off will eventually rub off in time.
Juno

[Vinman]

Thanks so much Juno.  Bing an RN, have you also seen absorbable stitches ever come through the skin?  I noticed today, I have a stitch out of nowhere that appeared out of nowhere.  I know they used absorbable stitches internally and the glue on the outside but it is just weird that all of a sudden one reared it's long head so to say....

[Juno]

Vinman -- Yes it does occasionally happen that internal absorable stitches will poke through the skin. Check with your doctor and he/she may choose to have you come in and they can remove it. Dis-solvable stitches can take 10 days to 6 months to dissolve -- it all depends on the type of suture material used. It's generally nothing to be concerned about as long as there are no signs of infection.

Juno

[GreenHills]

I am right at about 5 weeks post-op.  I found that the tape residue seems to go away on it's own.  Less and less each time I shower and now there is none left.

[Vinman]

Thanks Juno and Greenhills