Hi Everyone. This is my first post. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 24/6. I was told that I could remove my waterproof dressings after 10 days but to leave any steri strips underneath. I’ve tried to peel off the dressings, after gently soaking them, but they are taking off the strips underneath and now I’m in a bit of a panic. I have my follow up appointment on Tuesday to discuss my results. Is it OK to leave them until then, and let the medical professionals deal with them? I’m honestly too anxious about making any further attempts in case I do something wrong but I’m also feeling a bit rubbish that I can’t do this and don’t want to turn up on Tuesday and be a bother to the already busy staff. Has anyone else had this issue? Thank you.
Hi @haggischaser I wouldn’t worry about being a bother, the medics, whether surgeon or nurse, are there to help you through this stressful time. I’m guessing you were told 10 days as the earliest rather than it being a milestone for you to hit. I certainly left my dressings after my lumpectomy until I saw the surgeon for my post-surgery results which was 16 days after the op. The surgeon herself took them off as she wanted to see how I was healing. Good luck with your results and I hope any adjuvant treatment goes very well.
I still have my steristrips on from my 2 biopsy sites, the first one said the clip marker was quite close to top of skin. I’m a bit squeamish, and the advice sheet said you can leave on till they fall off.
Oh that’s good to know, thank you very much. It’s one less thing to worry about right now. Thanks also for your good wishes. They made me teary, but they are very much appreciated. 
Oh that’s excellent, thank you. Yes, I’m not brave enough to persevere and had visions of disaster so I’ll leave them alone.
Hi
If there are unstuck bits that irritate you snip them off with sterilised scissors but leave to the experts as they may leave them or take them off for you
Don’t worry too much about timings as we all heal differently
Take care
I had the exact same happen to me. I had bilateral lumpectomies so it was a double whammy! And yes mine stuck.
My advice would be to leave well alone and let the nurse sort out the dressing.
Mine had to redress and I had to return a few days later but I had a haematoma one side so that didn’t help.
Please don’t worry they are so kind and will manage everything for you.
Good luck
Lynn x
Yes, I got a friend to cut off the loose bits as I’ve got a rash from the adhesives, in my armpit, and it’s been irritating me so much whilst loose. I’d had enough of it by yesterday, and decided to ask for help to get that off. Thank you for replying.
Ooft! A double whammy indeed. I suppose that we should be grateful that they stay on so well, but it’s no fun when you realise that they’re not coming off, either! I am absolutely now leaving them for the professionals to remove. I hope that it all turned out OK for you in the end. Thanks for replying.
Hi
Ice or a bamboo flannel damp and put in the fridge and then on your skin will help cool irritations
I also used bio oil for scar and healing help
Check your temperature too just in case of any early signs of infection
Call your breast team if you need an earlier appointment or the nurses on her Mondays to Fridays if you need to ask questions
Happy to help
Good luck xx
Good luck haggis chasing dear friend.
Seagulls
And hope you get relief from dressings. I am allergic to the adhesive they use. They itch like mad.
It’s all rather grim I fear!
Thank you. I’ve yet to find an adhesive that doesn’t end up leaving a burn mark/rash and take a layer of skin off with it. I’m sorry that you get itchy. That is even worse and it must be exhausting trying to resist scratching. 
Hello again. Just a wee update. The nurse took my dressings off and of course, they came off like a dream for her… They say I’m healing well. They also found intermediate DCIS, but my margins are clear and lymph nodes are negative. They are carrying out oncotyoe testing to determine if chemo would be beneficial. Thanks again for all your replies and support.
Good news @haggischaser. It’s quite common to have some DCIS around the tumour, I had some myself with both of them coming out at surgery, with clear margins. Oncotype testing can take a few weeks as tissue is sent to the USA for analysis so another period of tested patience for you but it’s best to get all the facts together before the full treatment plan is confirmed. So far, so good.
I had oncotype testing too. Luckily that showed my cancer wasn’t too aggressive so I didn’t have chemo. I hope you have a similar result.
The Seagulls
I would give them a call if you have a support number . I had a similar problem and longed to take off the outer dressings but they advised waiting as long as possible. I was lucky that I could get to the hospital within 20 mins when they said a nurse could inspect the dressings .
Don’t worry about asking for help and advice , my team were very helpful on 2/3 different problems !