To Tape or Not to Tape: How Do You Handle Jewelry During Surgery?
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Posted on June 10, 2022 under Cosmetic Surgery
One of the many decisions doctors have to make is how to handle patient jewelry during surgery. Do they tape it in place? Do they let patients wear it loose? What about the risks of operating on a patient with jewelry? What’s the best way to keep those earrings and necklaces from getting in the way? Here, we will provide some tips on how your doctor may handle your jewelry.
1. Talk with Patients Ahead Of Time
Doctors should talk with their patients before surgery about whether or not the patient is wearing any jewelry. This will allow your doctor to plan ahead and ensure that everything is taken care of before the surgery. It also gives your surgical team a chance to explain why it is important to either remove their jewelry or have it taped in place.
2. Consider The Risks
Physicians must always consider the risks of operating on a patient with jewelry. There is always the potential for infection if the jewelry is not clean. There is also the risk of the jewelry getting caught on something during the surgery and causing injury to the patient. This is why it is important for your doctor to discuss these risks with you ahead of time.
3. Remove Jewelry Before Surgery
One of the best ways to handle jewelry is to remove it before surgery. This will eliminate any potential risks during operation. Your doctor will store your jewelry in a safe place during the surgery and may provide you with a list of your jewelry to identify it when you wake up from surgery.
4. Tape Non-Removable Jewelry
If you have jewelry that cannot be removed, then your physician will need to tape it in place. The best way to tape jewelry in place is with medical tape. This type of tape is specially designed to be gentle on the skin and won’t pull off any hair or cause irritation.
5. Ensure Peripheral Venous Access
Your doctor will also need to ensure that he or she has good peripheral venous access. It may be more difficult for the surgical team to get IVs and other lines into place if bracelets or necklaces are in the way. Be sure to speak with your surgical team ahead of time and discuss any potential issues that may arise due to peripheral access.
Contact Us Today
Jewelry can be a tricky subject when it comes to surgical procedures. While some people may not want to take their jewelry off, it may be necessary to ensure your safety.
If you have a surgery coming up, kindly contact Cosmetic Surgery Associates and our skilled staff will be more than happy to help you plan ahead for your surgery. We understand that every patient is different, and we will work with you to ensure that your surgery is as safe and successful as possible.
Our Plastic Surgery Associates team includes Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. A. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge. Each of our plastic surgeons is board-certified, and together they have over 60 years of combined experience. Drs. Richards, Jabs, and Magge are all highly qualified in procedures for the face, breast, and body, and pride themselves in providing excellent results through our state-of-the-art, Quad A certified operating centers
