stitches

So, I am on day 15 post-op, trudging right along with no problems.  I had glue on my incisions instead of steri-strips, as I am allergic to medical tape.  I have been trying now for the past week and a half to get this glue off!  Anyway, 3 of my incisions have little tiny pieces of stitching sticking out.  They get snagged on my clothes and are irritating!  So, last night I tried to pull them out. ( the incisions are closed ) and it kind of pulling the skin apart again- so I stopped.  These are obviously not dissolvable stitches. 

I will be calling the DR on Monday, but just curious if anyone else had this issue?

Thanks!

Sheri

I had this also after surgery. My incisions had little "strings" sticking out both ends.
I thought the surgeon just hadn't cut them close enough (who knew?  I'd never had surgery).
Called the office,...they said - don't touch....surgeon pulled them out at my 1st follow up appt. which I think was 14 - 15 days post op.

All was good. Call the office but don't pull them out on your own.

I had surgery on the 11th and a week ago I began itching.  I am not allergic to anything that I know of but I think the sticky substance they put on to keep the steri-strips on the wound absorbed in my skin and caused a reaction.  Benedryl tabs or creams did not help, but I also did not have a rash.  Just horrible itching.  So I went to our local medical supply pharmacy and bought 100 adhesive bandage removers for about $12.  I wiped off all that I could see (it looked like dirt on my belly) staying away from the incisions and steri-strips.  I then took a shower.  The next day, no itching at all.   I will be able to use the remover pads for other bandage issues as well as my 2 kids are constantly cutting, scraping and nicking themselves.

As far as the stitches....leave em to the Doc.  Perhaps a small gauze bandage over them until then will help with the friction of your clothes.

Ann

Didn't have that with VSG but did have it with my gallbladder.  Don't pull them as they are likely  to something deeper (mine were).  Have the Dr. take care of it. 

Glad everything else is going well!!!!

I just saw Dr. Johnson on Monday of this week. ( Dr. Hart was out of town )  I did not have the stitches sticking out at that time.  He didn't look at my incisions.  He just asked if they were doing ok.  I said yes.  As you know, I live 70 miles away, and I am leaving for New Mexico for two weeks next Sunday.

I guess if I have to go back I will, obviously!

Thanks, Laura

Sheri

I hope you have a great time in New Mexico!!!!

I had one suture that was sticking out of my belly button incision, that I cleaned the area and trimmed it off ( then it healed very nicely). I also have had small sutures that have and continue to "spit" out of my incisons that I have gentle pulled out. But my advice is to call your Dr bc maybe there r not dissolving sutures. Good luck.