Okay to remove stitches yourself?

[rayray2]

I have a conflict and can't make the doctor's appointment to get my stitches out. There's only 3 of them, how hard can it be?

 

[hypn0tik]

Try it and let us know. I wouldn't recommend it though.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: rayray2
I have a conflict and can't make the doctor's appointment to get my stitches out. There's only 3 of them, how hard can it be?

can't they get you in the next day? the nurse removes the stitches anyway.

 

[jjzelinski]

yes. if they're nylon (90% chance they are) they should just slide right out once you clip them.

staples, oto, require a special crimping tool to I would HIGHLY recommend you get those taken out profesionally.

 

[Eli]

Not hard.

 

[Joemonkey]

sterilize some skinny scissors and take them out yourself. If the wound reopens, you're SOL...

Hell I took my dad's staples out when he had leg surgery!

 

[cliftonite]

i wouldnt risk it

 

[Reel]

You probably want to clean the area real good first so get a buddy to spit in there.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: cliftonite
i wouldnt risk it

There really is nothing to risk, assuming it's his scheduled time to have them taken out.

Unless it's obvious that the wound hasn't healed and could open back up. Probably pretty unlikely though.

 

[MaverickBP]

i had 38 staples closing my torso after surgery...couldnt remove them myself because my skin was forming with the staple. finally the time came for them to be removed. went to the doc's office, sat in the chair, and with no anesthetic he removed all 38. no special tool was used. it looked like a large staple remover. all i heard was, "brace urself", riiiiiiiiip. followed by my screaming...ok 37 more to go

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Reel
You probably want to clean the area real good first so get a buddy to spit in there.

Human saliva is nasty....get a dog to lick it

 

[IronWing]

It's your body, do what you want with it. Be sure to post the sound file.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Reel
You probably want to clean the area real good first so get a buddy to spit in there.

Human saliva is nasty....get a dog to lick it

LOL

Cat!

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: MaverickBP
i had 38 staples closing my torso after surgery...couldnt remove them myself because my skin was forming with the staple. finally the time came for them to be removed. went to the doc's office, sat in the chair, and with no anesthetic he removed all 38. no special tool was used. it looked like a large staple remover. all i heard was, "brace urself", riiiiiiiiip. followed by my screaming...ok 37 more to go

Wow... you do know they have a handy little tool that crimps the center of the staple so the ends bend up and out of the skin right? I had about 7 staples in my head about 8 or 9 years ago and they used this little tool to take them out. Worked like a champ.

 

[imported_Pablo]

IF they are just nylon stitches, get a fingernail clipper, some peroxide, and some tweezers and have at it. I took out 9 stitches from my finger. They were pretty much just 9 individual loops, I clipped the thread and pulled them out. It tickled a bit when I was doing it, but it healed up fine.

 

[Mrvile]

I couldn't stand the thought of taking them out myself.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Nothing to it. Just clip them and pull them out. Might want to put some antibiotic ointment on if the skin around the stiches is starting to get a little red and puffy.

 

[Siva]

Two weeks after I had my wisdom teeth I just pulled the stitches out of my mouth. It didn't really hurt too much and everything stayed healed.

 

[Mucho]

I did it once had 4 stitches on my hand, too lazy to go to the doctor so took them out myself.

 

[funboy6942]

I have taken them out myself to save on the $50+ doctors visit. All you do is Cut the ends off and pull it out. It doesnt hurt but does feel quite unsettling and wierd.

I will say the last set I took out I wasnt fully healed and when I took them out my skin seperated under the top layer and left me with a nice scar

 

[Toasthead]

I doubt that its okay

 

[mobobuff]

Just like clipping and removing zip ties Except half of it is under your skin.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: funboy42
I have taken them out myself to save on the $50+ doctors visit. All you do is Cut the ends off and pull it out. It doesnt hurt but does feel quite unsettling and wierd.

I will say the last set I took out I wasnt fully healed and when I took them out my skin seperated under the top layer and left me with a nice scar

Yup, so make sure you have neosporin and duct tape near by...