Steri Strip Question Plz Plz Help

A nice long, hot bath or rubbing alcohol should do the trick.

if the doctor told you to take them off in one week, take them off. If he didn't give you any bathing restrictions, I believe you should be able to take a bath with them - I believe that would help soak them off. I've not had my gallbladder removed so I can't help you too much!

Call your doctor's office in the morning and ask them.

From cancer on about.com

First, do not attempt to remove Steri-Strips too soon. Always follow your doctor's orders -- even if the Steri-Strip is itchy or irritating. Removing it too soon could cause your incision site to reopen. Plus, you may introduce harmful bacteria, which can cause a infection. (Signs and Symptoms of Infection After Surgery)

Second, do not rip the strip off. The same logic that forces people to rip off band-Aids in a super speedy yanking motion does not apply to Steri-Strips. Why? Steri-Strips are much more adhesive than your standard Band-Aid, and you'll probably do more harm than good if you yank it.

Know that you can almost always wait until the strip falls off on its own. In fact, many surgeons recommend it. Showering and the natural oils of the skin will allow the strip to peel in time -- usually about ten days or so. Some surgeons, however, will tell you can remove it a certain amount of days post-op. Please note that this is a guideline: if you were told you could remove it at Day 7 and yet you can't, it won't hurt to keep on a few more days. As the days after surgery pass, Steri-Strips do lose their adhesiveness and begin to curl. Simply trim the curled edges, and within a few days the entire strip will fall off. (How to Care for Your Surgical Incision) Finally, If you find that you just can't remove it, your doctor can always do so at your next appointment. For more information about surgical recovery, please visit About.com Surgery.

They will come off on their own, eventually, and for right now it's important to keep the area clean so I would definitely recommend TO shower or bathe with them on. This will also help loosen the glue. Do not rip them off over an incision sight! Ow!

If your doctor has okayed you to bathe, then go ahead and do it. I imagine it would be very relaxing after going through that surgery! Hope all heals well soon. :)

Don't rip them off! Wait for them to fall off on their own.

don't take a bath-try some hot compresses and maybe a little baby oil-you can let them fall off on their own-

The strips are designed to fall off naturally. Yes, you can shower with them.

Do not try to rip them off. Why - possible infection, incission could open up or not heal fully, irritation to surrounding skin

Note: hubby had surgery recently, the strips took about 2 weeks to fall off

Yes you can shower. If they are stuck just leave them. They will loosen up
and you can take them off.

When you take a shower let the water run on them and they should loosen up. Also when you wash yourself don't hesitate to wash over them as well, that will help to loosen them as well, just don't rub hard. All of the ones I have had have loosened up on their own and fallen off or were just on slightly and came right off without any pain or discomfort.

I had the same problem with a few of my steri strips after my c section. The Dr removed them in her office at my two week check up by using vitamin e oil.

When the doctor says you can "take them off in a week" what he more then likely means is "don't take them off before a weeks time". Why doctors don't choose their words better is beyond me. LOL If they are still holding tight, leave them be. They will eventually fall off. Or become so loose you can take them off with no problems.

Did the doctor tell you how soon you can take a bath? If he said it was okay then go ahead. It may help loosen the strips. If not, let them stay a little longer. They won't hurt anything.