How to Remove Surgical Bandages

With non-severe surgeries, such as a gallstone removal, doctors will provide instruction on how to remove and clean your bandages at home. Removing surgical bandages properly is dependent on how you remove the bandage from the skin and the ease of your removal. Learning how to remove surgical bandages can help you clean and change your wounds and prevent said wounds from becoming infected. Long after your surgery, proper wound care can help lower the chance of scarring and other epidermis imperfections.

Things You'll Need

• Gauze
• Wound cleanser
• Metal clip

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Instructions

• 1

  Slide the metal clip off the medical bandage, and then start to unravel the bandage.

• 2

  Hold on to a piece of skin that is not irritated from the surgery. Pull the skin away from the bandage to lessen the irritation to your wound.

• 3

  Remove the gauze and clean the wound, as instructed by your doctor. Your doctor will most likely prescribe a cleansing ointment or suggest an over-the-counter ointment.

• 4

  Lay a fresh piece of gauze onto the wound, and then start to unravel a fresh, new surgical bandage from its plastic casing. Place the surgical bandage on top of the gauze, and then start to rewrap the wound.

• 5

  Place the metal clip on the bandage again.