Post lap stiches

[Yotom]

Hey again everyone,

I was hoping to ask how long it took for your stitches to come out? I’ve heard that keeping them dry results in them not dissolving and remaining intact- is this true?

Also, how long did you wait until you left them uncovered? I’ve had mine covered with the big plaster type thing the hospital provides and have regularly changed it but am nervous that they’ll catch on my clothes and get tugged...

[Cupcake1617]

Hey I’m four weeks post op now and I still have my stitches in, they are starting to loosen though.

I kept my waterproof dressings on for 10-12 days, until they started to dry up a little bit and I felt ‘ready’ to take them off too. Hope you have a speedy recovery x

[Thecraftyadder]

I had to keep the dressings on for 14 days (changed every 3) but despite showering as directed mine didn't seem to want to dissolve. They were starting to irritate at nearly 4 wks post opp so I read a tip by a doctor online about rubbing vaseline around them gently which I did and they softened and came out within 2 days.

[C2691]

Yes I remember being so careful to keep mine dry and they weren’t going any where but as soon as the skin looked healed enough I started to get them slightly wet and they came out on no time. I don’t think they’ll move while they’re dry. X

[stephkp]

They only need to be in for 10-14 days to allow the skin to heal, so I went to my gp and had mine removed 10 days post op and I was much more comfortable. I also only covered mine for 5 days xx

[Gem840116]

Mine came out around 6 weeks, belly button ones took slightly longer . I had to stay in hospital for a few days after and the nurse made me remove the dressings. I just had to make sure I patted the stitches dry after showering .

[Bluebird23]

I kept mine dry and it took about a month for them to dissolve. If you get them wet they dissolve quicker.

[Roro1]

I had my operation beginning of this month. I was advised to remove the dressing after 4 days so the incision could dry. The threads fell off after 3 weeks. I still have the threads of my belly button hanging.

[Bubblepoppy]

I had my lap on the 21st and I took my dressings off after two days the air needs to get to them for them to dry up and heal I asked the nurse in hospital, stitches are still there tho I heard they desolve around the 3/4 week mark xx