Question:
How long should I keep the gauze and tape on?

I had open RNY 5 weeks ago and I am still applying gauze over all of the incision and taping it up. Last week I did have a small infection, so I did have to put extra gauze on it. It is closed up now, but I still tape up the whole area. I am so over protectant about this and I wonder if I am getting carried away. Also I feel that having the gauze on protects the incision from the rubbing that my bra and pants can do. Any advice?    — Heather M. (posted on June 25, 2003)

June 25, 2003
As long as it is still red and puffy, I would keep it covered. If you are getting small infections, try opening a Vitamin E capsule and sqeeze the liquid onto the site before you put a fresh peice of gauze on it. My Dr. recommended that I do that on the whole incision (10") and the drain tube areas. I started to get an infection and the vitamin E just pulled it right out.
   — Dana B.

June 25, 2003
I haven't had anything on my incision since I left the hospital. My doctor told me it was fine like it is. I wear my binder still, and that keeps my pants from rubbing on the incision. I'm down to just a few steri strips (I'm 3 weeks out). I haven't had any problems with infection, and the whole thing is nearly healed completely. Sometimes incisions heal faster if you let them get some air. :)
   — ladyphy

June 25, 2003
I had lap rny last month. My doctor did a bit of a case study on me. Half of my incisions were covered with steri-strips and the other half he just put a band-aid which was removed 2 days after surgery. The steri-strips blistered my skin a little, however, I must say that they healed the best(smoother). The nurse instructed me to just let the strips come off naturally. They came off about a week and a half after surgery. The incisions that we left uncovered were more crusty and even today still have some scabbing. Overall both ways have worked well. I have had no trouble with either method.
   — tangela

June 25, 2003
I just had my open RNY this past friday and on saturday they remove all of the bandage and I just have steri-strips. I would of thought your dr would of told you if you needed to bandage it or not.
   — jen091172

June 25, 2003
I would keep it covered until you feel ok about it being open. I kept my incision covered longer than I had to just because I wanted to protect it from my clothes a kids...the bandages were kind of a safety blanket to me.
   — hooterzgirl75

June 26, 2003
As a nurse, we are taught that dark, warm, moist places encourage infection to occur. Most wounds are left open to the air once they have no drainage occurring. If your clothes rub against it, put one gauze over it with tape only on 2 sides so air can move around. Being uncovered will not cause an infection. You need to focus on something else and not worry about this anymore. Does the incision actually show signs of chaffing when you don't cover it and wear your clothes normally? Don't forget to talk with your surgeon about this if it really bothers you. Actually you sound like you are doing well. Relax & enjoy the new you!!!!
   — Karen M.