hi fmw, firstly never feel stupid,youre not and secondly well done for asking for help.
i often find myself asking this question, i have been told in the past that if it is gaping and you can see fatty bits you need to get it steri stripped back together, to prevent the gaping. i often wonder why...been told its mainly infection prevention plus it will heal better and leave a less,um wide scar??
is it still bleeding or ok? i find it hard to sick steris on when its still bleeding,so i put dressing on until bleeding stops then steri...i have no idea if this is correct as only had it done by nurse once and at a and e once and in those situations never in the right frame of mind to ask what i shpuld do myself.
hope that makes sense and i hope you are ok? here if you want to talk.xx