Circumcision Recovery

[DSW96]

3 weeks since circumcision and no sign of stitches coming out?

Is this normal or should I seek advice from doctor?

Thanks

[Hidden]

If they are soluble stitches then the ends should be starting to fall off. If they are bothering you, you can ask a doctor or nurse to snip the ends off. If they are not soluble stitches then they should have been removed at about 10 days

[fow36]

Even if they're "absorbable" stitches, there are different types of thread. Some of them are thinner and take 2-3 weeks to start to fall off, but others, like mine (thick blue-ish vicryl) can take well over a month to be absorbed. You could try asking, if they didn't gave you an estimated.

[roddythescot]

The stitches will have done their job in 10-12 days and ideally shou;d be removed after 14 days to prevent stitch tunnels and reduce swelling.

The stitches are dissolved from inside by the action of enzymes brought to the site of the wound by lymph. In many cases, there is insufficient lymph (and hence enzymes) to dissolve the stitches quickly and so if not removed they simply hang around for ages, getting in the way.

You can cut ONE side of the stich just below the knot and pull it our using tweezers, or you can ask your doctor or nurse to do it for you. Don't cut the knot off as there will be nothing with which to pull out the stitch from inside you and nothing to encourage it to come out naturally.