Question:
Is peeling skin around the staple line of my incision normal?

I'm 11 days post op...have about 50 staples along my incision line. Up until yesterday, I thought it was healing great....seemed totally closed. But, yesterday and today, I have a lot of peeling skin around the incision, and at the point where my tummy folds into itself and the staples touch each other, I have a little bit of stickiness. Is this something to worry about? Now I'm afraid to sit or lay because I'm afraid my incision is going to get infected! Am I healing okay?    — Tracy M. (posted on December 29, 2001)

December 29, 2001
Hi! I'm 19 days postop from an open RNY. I have 17 incision staples (my heart goes out to you having 50!). I also have some minimal peeling around the staples, and some minor redness. It gets a bit sore at times from rubbing on my clothes. For a couple of days, I put triple antibiotic on a gauze and used first aid tape to apply it to the incision. This really helped with some soreness and I think may have averted a possible infection. Something I do at least once or twice daily is using cotton balls, I pat on some hydrogen peroxide. This is an anti-infective and keeps the wound clean. I will finally get my staples out on Thursday and cannot wait! My advice to you is simply to keep your incision as clean as possible and you should be fine. If you suspect any infection, don't hesitate to call your doctor. Good Luck and congrats!
   — Donna L.

December 29, 2001
Yes, the peeling skin is normal. I have not had WLS yet, but when I had my gall bladder removed 18 months ago, I had that same thing. It's just part of the healing process. I think mine was a little red too, but if you are having any oozing, you might want to check with your surgeon.
   — [Anonymous]

December 30, 2001
You are doing great! I am almost 6 weeks out and had the same problem. Here's what the home health nurse told me to do. Wash with dial soap gently. Then pat dry and clean with peroxide. Cover if it is really irritated cause you don't want clothing fibers caught up in it. Whatever you do, don't pick at it cause you might irritate it more. If you have any more questions, email me. Good Luck!
   — purdue_1993