question about steri-strips!

[purple441122]

So it's the fourth day since my surgery, and the doctor had said to keep the steri-strips on for about a week and not to pick at them, but just to let them fall off.  Well...I got annoyed at them today and peeled them off...Now I'm freaking out!  Did I mess something up? there was a little leakage, is that ok?  I'm worried now and don't want anything bad to happen!  I should have left them on, but I get annoyed with it, I'm just afraid that something bad will happen to the incisions now :(

What should I do?  I put band aids over the incisions now...will that be ok?

[GMcp]

if theres anything coming outa it, go to the hospital! infections in fresh incisions hurt so bad! id go in if i were you just to be safe. but if it looks normal and it dosnt have a bad smell yes band aids are ok, as long as there really sticky ones you can also buy the steri strips for like 2 bucks at any drug store

be careful xoxo

[domandcamismom]

I would just keep an eye on the incisions.  I kept my steri strips on until they fell off and I am having all sorts of problems with the one on the left side now.  If it starts to hurt, bleed or you get a weird discharge from it just give your nurse a call.

[CassCore]

If you have stitches under the steri strips the doctor was probably more worried about you disrupting them. That's why he didn't want you to pull the steri strips off. As long as your sutures or stitches are okay it should be fine and covering them with a bandaid is fine too! If the incision looks at all like it's coming apart call your doctor. Wound care is very important after surgery and you should always keep an eye out for infection!! Good luck!