Need some medical advice

[jgohlke]

My wife had some orthoscopic surgery on her shoulder on Wed and she gets to take the dressing off on Saturday. They wrapped her whole shoulder with this thick (almost padded) waterproof tape. I trimmed a small piece of it that was uncomfortable for her and the stuff sticks like crazy.

Any suggestions for how to get about a square foot of this stuff off your skin without causing her too much discomfort? Also, what's best to clean up the left over adhesive with?

Appreciate the help!

Joe

 

[kiltedcraftsman]

lots of water and rubbing alcohol.

 

[Matt R]

Pull REAL fast! :sign:

 

[geldor1]

These are what they use in our hospital. I'm not sure if they can be purchased at a local drug store.

I use them to clean all the tape residue, coffee stains and other crud from the computers and monitors.

 

[Devil Doc]

The best advice, is to call your surgeons office and ask them how to remove it.

Doc.

 

[Peekay]

Actually we covered this in EMT class a little while back. Something oil based works really well to get sticky bandages off and won't sting skin like alcohol. Baby oil will work well, just be careful to not get any in the wound. Open wounds are always at risk for infection. Ideally you only want to introduce sterile stuff to wounds.

 

[jgohlke]

Man - You guys are fast! Appreciate the fast response. Haven't seen the wounds yet, but the doc said it's 3 punctures, 1 stitch each. Shouldn't be a big problem keeping the wounds clean.

 

[Mr Peat]

Having been on the table 7 or 8 times myself, I can say this. You pretty much screwed. If it has to come off on Saturday, its gonna be painful. If the doctors didnt restrict water from hitting the area in question, you may want her to sit in a tube of water to help with the adhesive. Otherwise, only alternative is slip the wife a roofy and pull the dang thing off FAST.

Ok ok..seriously tho...You maybe able to use some isopropyl(sp?) alcohol on it to maybe help break down the adhesive. Water doesnt always work cuz that stuff if designed to stay on in water for a set time frame from my experience.

The other option and best one is to call the same Doctor and ask for advice in taking it off. Or better yet, have them do it. Probably the best thing to do.

PS edit to add this statement. The Docs have just ripped them off me as well. Not a pleasant experience.

 

[MiamiCubano]

The best advice, is to call your surgeons office and ask them how to remove it.

Doc.

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Seriously, is there any question about this advice? Don't friggen try to MacGyver your own damn wife. :laugh: Ask her docs, then go that route.

 

[jgohlke]

Well, it's done. We used a combination of baby oil, rubbing alcohol and some swearing to get all the bandages off. I used the alcohol and then the baby oil to remove most of the adhesive. I did look for some adhesive remover at 2 local drugstores, no luck. I found it on the web....maybe I'll order some, it might be useful to have around the house. Thanks everybody who posted!

 

[BkCloud114]

Glad to hear ya got it off.......

I was gonna recommend WD-40 but didn't want to seem insensititve, so I figured I would wait til after it was done.....since I had nothing useful to add.... LOL

 

[Gonz]

Well, it's done. We used a combination of baby oil, rubbing alcohol and some swearing to get all the bandages off. I used the alcohol and then the baby oil to remove most of the adhesive. I did look for some adhesive remover at 2 local drugstores, no luck. I found it on the web....maybe I'll order some, it might be useful to have around the house. Thanks everybody who posted!

[snapback]300526[/snapback]​

Glad you got this done. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know and I can ask my wife.

 

[Blue Dragon]

Well, it's done.

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Glad you got this done. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know and I can ask my wife.

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Yup, I just saw this and was in the process of calling my wife (nurse for 10 years), but it looks like you got 'er done. :thumbs:

- C