How Long Do Stitches Need To Be Kept?

[HiTek21]

I had surgery last Friday and I just was wondering how long the doctors keep the stitches in before removing them?

 

[FoBoT]

i thought they use the kind that melts on their own these days

the doctor didn't tell you when to come back and get checked?

 

[waggy]

i had mine in like 8 days. and that was a little longer then needed.

but ask the doctor when they should come out. then get a pair of scissors and clip them out.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i thought they use the kind that melts on their own these days

the doctor didn't tell you when to come back and get checked?

That depends on the type of stitches used. Some are biodegradable and your body breaks them down, others arent.

However his doctor/surgeon should have said when to come back and get the wound checked and/or stitches taken out. If they didn't call them and find out.

 

[Ultralight]

Well it depends on what the stitches are for. In my case I had reconstructive surgery on my left ankle and foot. They are self-absorbing but due to the nature of the surgery and the amount of stitching I have to stay in a cast for 6 weeks.

Ask your doctor.

 

[Leros]

take them out, if your wound splits open it was too early.

 

[SmoochyTX]

It depends on the stitches. You should have been given aftercare instructions saying when the stitches would need to come out.

When I split my thumb open, I had to keep the stitches in for 7 days. I kept them in for 8 days and them removed them myself.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
... removed them myself.

:camera:'s?

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
... removed them myself.

:camera:'s?

No pics of my thumb after the stitches. But my thumb has healed quite nicely. It still itches 'on the inside' and hurts if I press anything too hard against the pad of my thumb but overall the PA did a great job. No numbness thank goodness. Weird looking fingerprint though!

I still can't light a Zippo with my right hand though without my thumb hurting because where you would light a lighter is right along the stitch line but I should be fine in another month on that regard.

 

[MedicBob]

Ask whomever put them in. Trust no one other then them... then take them out yourself.

 

[drinkmorejava]

I had some on my forehead for 5 days. They're generally kept in longer to reduce the possibility of it splitting, but they and I wanted to limit any scaring from them. I'm sure everyone has seen the messed up scars that occur when they're left in too long.

 

[eits]

no idea... it's not my area of expertise and i haven't learned anything about it (yet... we do have to take a course in minor surgeries...)

if i were you, i'd call the doctor who stitched you and ask him/her.

 

[RossGr]

I still have stichs in my eye from a cornea trasplant 9 years ago. I think there are 3 left, that will never be removed.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I took my own out after 2 weeks i think.

 

[waggy]

I actually enjoy the feel of the stiches comeing out. yeah i know im odd.

 

[Leros]

When they get taken out, take a syringe and squirt water in the hole so it comes out the other side. That would be awesome.

 

[DVK916]

Shouldn't the doctor remove them. When I had stiches the doctor removed it. They stayed in for 7 days I believe. I wouldn't trust anyone but a doctor to remove them.

I had stiches in the throat area, around 1 inch wide.

 

[Juno]

never had stitches before... *knocks on wood*

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: DVK916
Shouldn't the doctor remove them. When I had stiches the doctor removed it. They stayed in for 7 days I believe. I wouldn't trust anyone but a doctor to remove them.

wny?
all they do is pull them out and put a bandaid on them.

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: DVK916
Shouldn't the doctor remove them. When I had stiches the doctor removed it. They stayed in for 7 days I believe. I wouldn't trust anyone but a doctor to remove them.

wny?
all they do is pull them out and put a bandaid on them.

He didn't just pull them out. He had to cut it. I wouldn't trust many people with sissors to my throat.

 

[waggy]

pfft. just clip one end and pull it out. no big deal.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Ask your doctor FTW!!!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: DVK916
Shouldn't the doctor remove them. When I had stiches the doctor removed it. They stayed in for 7 days I believe. I wouldn't trust anyone but a doctor to remove them.

wny?
all they do is pull them out and put a bandaid on them.

He didn't just pull them out. He had to cut it. I wouldn't trust many people with sissors to my throat.

You had stitches in your throat?

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: DVK916
Shouldn't the doctor remove them. When I had stiches the doctor removed it. They stayed in for 7 days I believe. I wouldn't trust anyone but a doctor to remove them.

wny?
all they do is pull them out and put a bandaid on them.

He didn't just pull them out. He had to cut it. I wouldn't trust many people with sissors to my throat.

You had stitches in your throat?

Yes, had to get a mass removed. Benign neuroma in my throat. What sucked was I wanted to see it after they removed it, but they didn't show it to me. .

 

[DVK916]

Do stiches normally leave a scar. I still have a scar from the procedure.