Laparoscopy incisions taking ages to heal - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

72,720 members53,155 posts

Laparoscopy incisions taking ages to heal

Lenrythe8th profile image
24 Replies

Hi everybody.

Hope you're all keeping safe and well.

I had a lap with excision 3 weeks and 5 days ago. My stitches are still present and my surgery wounds are still sore. I spoke to my GP and he said that some people take longer. I have had a lap previously and they came out after about 2 and a half week and felt like they were suitably healed by 3.

Has anyone else found this with their stitches?

Thanks

Written by
Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
24 Replies
Cupcake1617 profile image
Cupcake1617

Yeah mine lasted ages. Think my belly ones were near 6 weeks. Most ended up being cut out x

Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th in reply toCupcake1617

At what point did you know they'd need cutting out? Did you wait the 6 weeks then contact your doctor?

Thanks for responding, driving me mad x

Cupcake1617 profile image
Cupcake1617 in reply toLenrythe8th

I asked when I was there getting extended sick notes / medicines x

Cupcake1617 profile image
Cupcake1617 in reply toCupcake1617

I actually found mine healed better once the stitches went x

Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th in reply toCupcake1617

I don't know if they'd take them out yet so I might have to leave it another week or so.

Bubble_by profile image
Bubble_by

Mine are taking forever too... Had mine done (nearly) 3 weeks ago and they still don't look much different to when they were first done 😒 however mine were done with a surgical glue so idk if that has anything to do with it.

Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th in reply toBubble_by

Annoying isn't it. Mine are clear stitches, but they're quite thick.

Bubble_by profile image
Bubble_by in reply toLenrythe8th

Very. Makes me wonder what my insides are doing 🤔 hope yours heal soon 🤞💕

Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th in reply toBubble_by

You too!

Thecraftyadder profile image
Thecraftyadder

Mine took ages to - over 4 wks! I read a tip online from a doctor about massaging them with vaseline to help soften them more if they weren't shifting. Mine came out within a few days of trying that!

Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th in reply toThecraftyadder

Oh I might give this a go! Thank you!

Amywoodx profile image
Amywoodx in reply toThecraftyadder

Hi sorry I know this is an old post but currently going through something similar and was told the same thing. How did you apply the vaseline and did you apply it to the entire wound or just the hard stitches at the ends?

Thecraftyadder profile image
Thecraftyadder in reply toAmywoodx

That's ok. I think I rubbed it over the whole incision as they were healed at that point and had some dry skin round them anyway. Hope it helps. It was a big relief when they came out!

Amywoodx profile image
Amywoodx in reply toThecraftyadder

Oh ok thank you for your reply! Did that include the bellybutton too? Mine is very itchy and think it might also be infected so not sure whether to put it on there too but the stitch is sticking out of the side and it's definitely irritating the skin further I think

Thecraftyadder profile image
Thecraftyadder in reply toAmywoodx

Yes my belly button one was so tight! My pubic one got really irritated with a itching red rash but it wasn't infected. Just irritation from the dressings and stitches. Once they came out it was much better

Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th in reply toThecraftyadder

Yeah - I just rubbed it around the whole thing and it worked but was healed at this point, the stitches just weren't budging. Worked a right treat so thank you!

justmai profile image
justmai

What dies the site look like is it hot to touch, red and inflamed, might have an infection, could be the stitch itself making it sore might need to be taken out,,

Are you a diabetic, could be a reason while its taking longer to heal,

If was me i would see If i could get into see practice nurse. (Though if it was me i would have taken stitches out after 14 days) ex nurse.

Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th in reply tojustmai

One of them is a little bit red and sore, the others are ok. Not a diabetic. Obviously in the current climate, getting in to see a medical professional is difficult.

justmai profile image
justmai in reply toLenrythe8th

I know, call 111 for advice, i really think those stiches need to be taken out its properly whats making you feel sore. Sometimes they take ages to dissolve and need to be taken out. If there is anyway you can send me a pic of wound i can tell you if it looks infected and therefore you will need antibiotics if i pm you my email address?

Lenrythe8th profile image
Lenrythe8th in reply tojustmai

One of them has just fallen out!

justmai profile image
justmai in reply toLenrythe8th

The others should soon follow

Felma profile image
Felma

You can ask the surgeon exactly which stitching suture did he or she used

KNJR4 profile image
KNJR4

Hiya, Mine we’re clear and I was told they should dissolve away in about two weeks. Three weeks on some of mine at two of the four incision sites were still there. The sites were also a bit red and angry and sore to the touch. My GP pulled them out with tweezers and everything resolved within 2 days.

You may want to find out if yours were the dissolving type? Best wishes! x

Bubblepoppy profile image
Bubblepoppy

Mine fell out around week 4/5 just leave them they should fall out themselves just give them a wobble now n again when you feel it's healed I did and I loosened them up x

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Are my incisions normal?

Hi, I had a laparscopy about 4 days ago and I'm still in a lot of pain and get horrible nausea...
Joanna19 profile image

Laparoscopy - Incisions

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question - but just wondering with regards to the plasters that...
Buttoon profile image

How long to dissolve stitches?

I had diagnose lap on 8/10 and I have 3 stitches on my belly button and 2 stitches lower bit. They...
shukudai profile image

Post-Laparoscopy Confusion

Hi all, I had my first lap 8 days ago to look for Endo and thankfully after years of feeling it was...
Cmmo519 profile image

Time to heal from laparoscopy?

I had a laparoscopy 10 days ago. My stitches still haven't dissolved and since Friday morning I...
Jjl84 profile image

Moderation team

See all

Top community tags

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.