Surgical glue instead of stitches - Endometriosis UK

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Surgical glue instead of stitches

Endostruggles profile image
19 Replies

Hey Ladies,

Very sorry to bombard with questions again but I find whenever I get concerned about anything my mind gets put at ease a lot quicker from everyone here then waiting ages only to be fobbed off by my GP🙄

Has anyone had surgical glue instead of dissolvable stitches for the incision after a laparoscopy? I’ve only ever had dissolvable stitches so I’m very unsure of the glue.. they said I can’t bath or get them too wet for 2 weeks after surgery, I can shower but not have water on them for too long, I’ve been washing myself down daily by the bath room sink with a flannel to be on the safe side but it’s only been 5 days and all of the glue has come off around the incisions already? It keeps getting rubbed off by underwear, pads or trousers. The glue has come off from the sides of the incisions but the main middle part is still covered but my main concern is they just hurt so bad and keep throbbing and feel like lots of little pins are going into the wound.

**also developed a strange rash today covering everywhere on my face apart from my forehead... all very strange... my last recovery was amazing I healed so quickly and no issues at all other than one wound got infected so I’m finding this whole process so new and alien to me... I’m probably panicking myself and just worrying to much but always best to be safe rather than sorry I guess?!**

Sorry if I’m driving anyone insane with my worrying.. I know I’m driving my mum nuts but she refuses to believe there’s anything wrong with anyone until a doctor confirms it... someone could loose a leg and she would be like “no your fine don’t worry about it” but when the doctor says oh god your legs fallen off then she suddenly becomes the most caring person ever lol she does make me laugh with her silly little quirks 😂

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19 Replies
Lily1986 profile image
Lily1986

I had the glue on one of my operations and one of my incisions became wide open after a week so gp had to stitch it up.

If you have any doubts definitely at least ring the doctors and ask that they check. Not worth risking an infection or worse scarring.

Hope your surgery was a success? And wishing you as smooth recovery as possible xxx

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles in reply to Lily1986

Oh god, yeah one isn’t too bad, it’s still quite red and pinkish but I’ve cleaned it and popped a dressing on it but the one on my pelvic bone is rather gross, half looks reasonably closed but the other half that has a bit of glue on it still looks like it’s been glued open?? Will give them a call tomorrow and it’s been no where near as smooth as my last one, pains, cramps and sickness still aren’t easing at all but just praying it should start too in the next couple days, thank you xxx

hltz profile image
hltz

I had glue but I have healed really well and had no issues. I would get these looked at by your GP just to be on the safe side.

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles in reply to hltz

How soon did all the glue start coming off?

hltz profile image
hltz in reply to Endostruggles

Two weeks after it started to come off from around the incision, but not on the incision itself. Now four weeks on it has all completely come off.

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles in reply to hltz

Okay thankyou, yeah I’m now 6 days in and it’s completely gone from around the incision and come off half the incision itself leaving it open a bit 🤢

Purple_Cavalier profile image
Purple_Cavalier

Hi I had glue, it started coming off round edges after about a week. I got big knickers so the waist band wouldn't rub on it.

I'm 4 weeks now, glue has come off and I have developed a very very itchy blistery rash where the glue was and the wounds are weeping slightly. Doctor isnt worried about wound but has given me antibiotics and antihistamines for the rash as they not sure what it is.

I recommend you got the doctors to just but your mind at ease, best to get it checked.

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles in reply to Purple_Cavalier

Oh god issues still after 4 weeks? I thought they would of fully healed by then.. I’ve developed a weird rash all over my face which came out of no where last night as well as worsening pains today including all down my leg, haven’t had anymore Then 5 mins today where I had no pain at all. Constantly throbbing or stabbing pains😣 I desperately want to get to the doctors as I’m getting a little worried because I just genuinely don’t feel well in the slightest but I’ve got no one to take me, my mums had to go out and my stepdads and everyone else is at work🤦🏼‍♀️ ill try and get a telephone appointment and see what they say, thank you for your reply xx

Purple_Cavalier profile image
Purple_Cavalier in reply to Endostruggles

Yes definitely phone your doctor or 111 for some advice if you can't get to the doctors.

cupcakekitty07 profile image
cupcakekitty07

I had the glue on my first ever lap and it was pretty weird to me. I think that was when it was pretty newer and they were like excited to use it, but boy that were messy. On the non belly button incisions (and smeared excess) it rubbed away faster but still a long few weeks. Though my doctor did cut it crazy low down, like below my panty line and below where my pubes start (sorry tmi) which I think is more unusual but therefore it didn't rub on elastic like my belly button one...so maybe that's why mine lasted?

I think I was told to basically not soak like a bath, and showers were fine, and for me the glue stayed way longer than when I've had dissolvable stitches. Mine dissolved too quick that I kinda stuck butterfly closures over them, and taped some plastic wrap over the area for my showers, (like I have to protect casts) to keep it from totally going way too early.

My belly button I remember they pretty much filled with glue, it was like a huge bloody cork when it eventually fell out, but that didn't fall out for freaking months and it itched to hell but hurt when I tried to pull it out to help it along. The nurse I talked to was like huh, unusual, but maybe because we shed skin layers less there? Who knows, but that was on at least two months. It's basically super glue, I think if you just baby it like seal it for showers but let it breathe with like butterfly closures like I did when my stitches started going too soon you'll probably be fine. If however it gets worse and painful maybe visit your doc and they can take a look and reseal if it's not already healing?

Also, I had a friend that ended up being sensitive to the glue, but she's also allergic to adhesives on band-aids, so she tends to break out in nasty hives? If your rash also is that kind of bad, maybe get it looked at, but it could easily just be irritated from being stretched and sensitive to all the rubbing. Just keep an eye on it, wear some loose clothing if possible to minimize irritation to see if it calms down any?

***edit I'm half asleep and just saw you said your rash was on your face and everywhere.... Maybe it is hives but interesting not near incisions, that should be pretty inflamed if it's the cause... It honestly could just be stress hives, stress can cause all kinds of weird shit. I break out in hives with temp changes, but if I'm stressed and anxious I overheat (my body does not regulate temp well lol) and then get hives as a consequence. Dunno if that's something that happens to you sometimes, but it's possible, but really does sound like you might want to visit your doc. Do you get a followup soon? Mine always schedule me a few weeks out to check on me and go over findings again when I'm not drugged up, and they always check out my incision healing.

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles in reply to cupcakekitty07

Hello thank you so much for your reply, see this is what I find so strange, everyone’s seemed to last so much longer 😫 my incision is in a very similar place to yours on the pubic bone and also my belly button is in a similar state with the messiness. I’ve tried keeping it as dry as possible and always able to breath during the day then covered at night so I don’t scratch it or anything. Hahaha Don’t worry! That’s the weird thing I’ve never had a reaction to anything, not allergic to anything and probably had maximum 2 rashes In my life. I’ve got a follow up appointment on Tuesday 10th of March so not too long

cupcakekitty07 profile image
cupcakekitty07 in reply to Endostruggles

Awww well everyone has different healing stages, my edges did flake up fast but it did stay on forever I felt! I hope everything goes smooth for you!! :) (The stitches however looked too soon and like it was open and I was like nooooo because I'm sometimes a slow healer... ) But in both cases everything healed nice! Not totally nice on my belly buttons'stitches cuz the knot came out early and weird? So not totally flush but at least the ones not hidden in a belly button are all very nice 😂

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles in reply to cupcakekitty07

Thank you! Haha how typical! At least like you said it’s hidden in the belly button a bit!!

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles

**UPDATE** got back from the doctors and I definitely have an infection internally (she couldn’t use a speculum as I was way too tender) but I’ve got antibiotics and more pain relief and just managed to avoid going back up A&E for drips through IV😓 plenty of rest for me for the next week!! And for once in my life praying I start my period soon as my belly feels so heavy and legs are really cramping as if I could start any second!

cupcakekitty07 profile image
cupcakekitty07 in reply to Endostruggles

Aw, bummer :( Good thing you went!! Rest lots and heal up!! <3

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles in reply to cupcakekitty07

Will do, thank you 💛

Afrohair profile image
Afrohair

I wouldn’t be concerned unless it opened I’d recommend some pain relief for the pain ibroprofen or coco domol x

Endostruggles profile image
Endostruggles in reply to Afrohair

I’ve been taking tramadol with naproxen and paracetamol all together and even that combination hasn’t really touched the pain much 😢 I’ve been prescribed another weeks worth of tramadol to take as well as codeine. I just want this whole ordeal over with now it’s just draining me 😢 x

Afrohair profile image
Afrohair in reply to Endostruggles

So sorry hope you feel better soon x

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