Stitches from laparoscopy : Hi, anyone had... - Endometriosis UK

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Stitches from laparoscopy

C2691 profile image
17 Replies

Hi, anyone had dissolvable stitches? My laparoscopy was just under 2 weeks ago.

I’ve got 2 incisions, the nurse told me they’d come out on their own, they haven’t yet and the lower one is so itchy and red today.

She told me if they don’t come out on their own just give them a little tug 🤢. I don’t think they will come out with a little tug though.

How long did anyone else’s last and what did you do about them coming out?

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C2691
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17 Replies

I got mine taken out after 2 weeks bc they were itchy and red, and then got home to find a 4th hidden right at the bottom of my bellybutton that's coke loose and is hanging out but still won't rip! Mine did have to be literally tore out at 2 weeks because she didn't snip them, thinking they'd rip out easily, but if you snip them with sterilised scissors they should pull out alone! x

C2691 profile image
C2691 in reply to

Ok thanks 👍getting sore now hope they come out so I don’t have to wait till Monday 🙄x

in reply toC2691

Mine felt so much better from being out, the pain and itching went away entirely, just not looking forward to having the bellybutton one ripped out but it's showing no signs of disolving. I was also told not to put any dressing on at all after taking the hospital ones off but I think others are told differently depending on where you go x

C2691 profile image
C2691 in reply to

Yeah I was told to take plasters off the next day and not replace them. Do they have to get wet to dissolve? I’ve been trying to keep them dry 🤔 x

in reply toC2691

Apparently so, but mine just seemed to get clean when wet and not show any signs of dissolving at all and all my clothes kept getting caught on them and the sooner they were gone the better haha, the one in my bellybutton has frayed now but still doesn't look any closer to falling out!

C2691 profile image
C2691 in reply to

🙄nightmare lol. Maybe that explains why mine are so stubborn cause they’ve hardly been wet. X

CJR99 profile image
CJR99

Hi there!

Yes I have when I had my hysterectomy....I left them for 4 weeks!No regrets though I can barely see the scar.One of mine did become itchy but,I kept it clean and I can highly recommend replacing the outer bandage....give yourself time...it works I promise.Take care xx

C2691 profile image
C2691 in reply toCJR99

Ok thank you! 😊x

From my last surgery I also had dissolvable stitches. The knot area of each one seemed to not dissolve! I am over a month post op and just tugged them out yesterday in fear they wouldn’t dissolve all the way. It didn’t hurt at all, surprisingly.

My incisions feel SO much better now and actually look less red. I’d recommend getting them out!

C2691 profile image
C2691 in reply to

Thank you 😊

I got my Mum to snip then out... she used to be a nurse so had the right tool. She told me I’d been doing too much of a good job keeping them dry and that they need to be getting wet in order to dissolve. So, either start getting them wet morning/night till they feel like they’ll come out or ask your practice nurse to snip them out!

C2691 profile image
C2691 in reply toLizzielizzielizzie

Thank you 😊

-ALiViA- profile image
-ALiViA-

Hiya

I had my lap 4 weeks and 3 days ago and still have all of my stiches. I’ve seen two separate nurses and they have both said they will dissolve on their own, or come off with the scab.

Neither wanted to pull them out. When I asked about soaking them they both also said ‘no’.

They offered to trim them if they were getting caught (which they arnt). Offered me dressings to cover if they do start to catch.

Mine arnt itchy, they are tiny bit pink still, but dry and look ok. So I’m not in any rush to pull them out or pull off a scab and cause scarring.

I’d leave them a while longer but if you become worried about infection then go check. My info from hospital said 7-10 days, but one of the nurses said it can take up to 6 weeks sometimes. Don’t worry x

C2691 profile image
C2691 in reply to-ALiViA-

Ok great thank you! 😊

Endo_This profile image
Endo_This

Hi, I had my lap just over 4 weeks ago and it took a good 3 weeks for the stitches to come out. The paperwork said 2-7 days and the nurse said they would take around 2 weeks so I started to worry when they showed no signs of budging at 2 weeks. The ones in my belly button took ages because I was trying to keep it dry but found that they did eventually break down. My scars are tiny, it’s incredible really! Just be patient and try to not worry. It the skin weeps then I would go back to the Doctors :-)

C2691 profile image
C2691 in reply toEndo_This

That’s good thanks, I’m probably just impatient! 😊

Hello

I had a lap just over 3 weeks ago and my stitches have only just come out. It can take longer than they say to actually dissolve. The one in the belly button is a tricky one. gently using cotton buds to clean the belly button helps.

Once they dissolve the wound will feel so much better. mine felt sore and itchy when the stitches were still in.

If you are really concerned, get a practice nurse to take a look.

Good luck and I hope you recover soon :)

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