Went back to the orthopedic surgeon for a checkup on the dog bite on my right thumb Thursday. He said we didn't need to use the Adaptic bandage and the neo-sporin gel on the wound anymore and just wrap it with gauze. Do I still need to put some type of antiseptic on it daily and since it's still kinda raw how do I keep the gauze from sticking to the wound? The thumb nail is gone and there is an incision from where the right top corner of the nail was on the side of the thumb about 1/2 inch.
I know he wants it to air out but I'm worried about pulling it open every time I change the bandage. He also told us not to put peroxide on it anymore.

You just don't realize how much strength your nail gives to your thumb. The end of it is just kinda floppy with out that support there. He said the nail should grow back but it ain't gonna be pretty.

Any web sites that might show me how to wrap this thing without having a Fred Flintstone thumb?

If you pick up gauze pads rather than gauze wrap, you shouldn't have any real problem with sticking. Just be gentle when you pull it off. From what I'm picturing, 3x3 pads should work well, right? The pads unfold, so you should be able to get a good covering. You can anchor it with either the cloth medical tape or, my preference, transpore tape. Run a piece from your wrist  up over the thumb and back down the palm side of the thumb onto the pad of your hand, then use another piece  around the wrist to anchor the first piece. Transpore and guaze pads should be availalbe at any walgreens. 4x4 pads are the most common, and will work fine.

Is it  just the tip of your thumb, or is it bigger?

Edit; I can't describe this well. When I get home, I'll try to take a couple of pics of a wrap job and post them.

Oh, hydrogen peroxide and such kills viable tissue. With a dog bite, I assume you're on antibiotics?

i thought it sayed bondage

Quoted: i thought it sayed bondage

That takes a lot more tape.

Why don't you ask your doc?  

Get some Telfa pads or something. They don't stick so bad.

Quoted: Why don't you ask your doc?

It's the weekend...

Quoted: Yeah don't just use gauze it will stick like hell.

Actually for some wounds you want it to stick.  When the dressing is removed a lot of the debris and dead tissue is removed and will promote healing.  Infection is also lower. But when you pull the bandage off, OUCH!

He's a good surgeon but his bedside manners suck. There are always questions you think of later and ask yourself why didn't I ask him then.

Quoted: He's a good surgeon but his bedside manners suck. There are always questions you think of later and ask yourself why didn't I ask him then.

This is why I ask my patients to write shit down before they come in.  Then they wont forget.  I dont need a call at 5am wondering why the staples are still in.

I'd keep using the neo until it was healed.

Quoted: Why don't you ask your doc?

Heck............. I would trust some of the medics I work with WAY before a doc....