Out 5 days from tummy tuck and removed the yellow gauze is that ok?

Hi I just removed the yellow gauze because my PS said to put antibiotic ointment on it so I thought ou needed to remove it.  Is this going to cause an issue now that I removed it?  I saw on line that they use that to keep the belly button open so now I am really worried.   Any one have any advice?

Thank you,

Jamie

Hi Jamie:


Nice name. The hospital gave me extra when I went home and I changed it everyday. Is this the first time you've taken it out? Do you not have anymore? I changed mine everyday until I was about 10-12 days out. Sometimes mine would fall out and mine stayed open, so don't panic.

Jamie

I didn't have anything in or over mine & it's open.  I wouldn't worry

Thank you ladies.  Your experiance helps me a lot.  I couldn't find the paperwork that my PS sent me home with at my pre op appt and then I looked it up online and of course there was a lot of information out there regarding the belly button.

Thank you,

Jamie

I have worn a clean mans sleeveless tee shirt under my binder instead of dressings.  They make the binder more comfortable against the skin.  I put neosporin ointment on my incisions twice a day.  The first few days, when I had drainage - I poured peroxide and spot remover on the messy areas on the tee shirts before washing them.  I also have two binders and put them and ACE bandages (for arm lifts) all in the washing machine.

I didn't have any special bandage around my belly button.

I'm 2 1/2 weeks post op from tummy tuck and arm lift and incisions look great - except for under arm pits - they are swollen and red.