Plastic, waterproof layer. There may be variations of this waterproof plastic dressing depending on your surgeon’s preference. You should remove this layer generally around 2-4 days after surgery.
Inner Layer of Dressing
Steri-Strips. You do not need to peel this off initially. The layer will fall off usually around 1-2 weeks after surgery. You may trim the edges with a pair of scissors when they are starting to come off. If they are still there 14 days after surgery, you may peel them off completely.
Jackson-Pratt Drain
A Jackson-Pratt Drain Bulb. Before you leave the hospital, the nurse will teach you how to empty the drain at home. You will need to record the amount of drainage when you empty the drain. Your surgeon may have arranged community nurses for support of drain care.
