[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Removing stitches (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 5/29/2014 8:39:37 PM EDT
| I had surgery on my left leg about three weeks ago and I was supposed to get my stitches out last week. For a variety of reasons I can't get in to my orthopedic surgeon until mid week next week to get the stitches out. Would it be possible for me to just take them out myself? If I do, do I just cut the end knots and then pull them out? |
|
Quoted: I had surgery on my left leg about three weeks ago and I was supposed to get my stitches out last week. For a variety of reasons I can't get in to my orthopedic surgeon until mid week next week to get the stitches out. Would it be possible for me to just take them out myself? If I do, do I just cut the end knots and then pull them out? sterilize your cutting instrument. I nearly got an article 15 over removing some damn stitches. |
|
Quoted:
The trick is to only cut one side. If you cut both you will leave suture material inside and it will have to work itself out like a splinter. Do folks actually do that? Hmmm....yeah, probably. And, try to pull from the knot side and not pulling the knot through. |
|
Order some nice small scissors from amazon, and if you need good tweezers and a magnifying glass too sure why not.
I took mine out multiple times, for me it's not so much the money but the time... 2 hours of your day to do 1 minute of work. And then your co-pay... |
|
Quoted:
Order some nice small scissors from amazon, and if you need good tweezers and a magnifying glass too sure why not. I took mine out multiple times, for me it's not so much the money but the time... 2 hours of your day to do 1 minute of work. And then your co-pay... Why not just go to the local Walgreens or CVS, and buy a pair? |
|
Quoted:
Why not just go to the local Walgreens or CVS, and buy a pair? Quoted:
Quoted:
Order some nice small scissors from amazon, and if you need good tweezers and a magnifying glass too sure why not. I took mine out multiple times, for me it's not so much the money but the time... 2 hours of your day to do 1 minute of work. And then your co-pay... Why not just go to the local Walgreens or CVS, and buy a pair? Most stores I've been in, actually. A section arfcom may, or may not be familiar with. Grooming, and the like. I use these: 
Very sharp, easy to clean and, when necessary, sterilize. |
|
Quoted: I've removed many stitches myself, no need for a copay... If you're getting a copay, you need to complain. (I work in urgent care and the ER. I do lots of sutures)
|
|
If you clip the stitch and pull the knot and nothing actually comes out they may be the dissolving ones. I sort of panicked backed in the late 70s when I saw this and then they explained this to me. Since no one offered this so far, do they not use them anymore on external stuff? |
|
Quoted:
If you clip the stitch and pull the knot and nothing actually comes out they may be the dissolving ones. I sort of panicked backed in the late 70s when I saw this and then they explained this to me. Since no one offered this so far, do they not use them anymore on external stuff? They are used externally in some places, situations and by some people. If he posts pictures, they aren't hard to tell apart. |
|
Quoted: There is a really good story in there, somewhere  Quoted: Quoted: wash your hands nail clippers and tweezers removed mine after x got my hand with a meat cleaver here, I'll help http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1627925_Should_I_get_back_with_my_X.html&page=1 sorry kilo |
|
Quoted:
I had surgery on my left leg about three weeks ago and I was supposed to get my stitches out last week. For a variety of reasons I can't get in to my orthopedic surgeon until mid week next week to get the stitches out. Would it be possible for me to just take them out myself? If I do, do I just cut the end knots and then pull them out? I have removed stitches and staples. Stitches are simple. Just make damn sure you pull the knot end.
|
|
Quoted:
Why not just go to the local Walgreens or CVS, and buy a pair? Quoted:
Quoted:
Order some nice small scissors from amazon, and if you need good tweezers and a magnifying glass too sure why not. I took mine out multiple times, for me it's not so much the money but the time... 2 hours of your day to do 1 minute of work. And then your co-pay... Why not just go to the local Walgreens or CVS, and buy a pair? I got a bunch of them from the Hospital, they use them once and have to put them in the sharps container.... The Nurse gave them to me instead....... 
This type....... 
|
|
Quoted:
Some ER docs are nice and will hand out staple removers. Others are even nicer and won't use staples. Quoted:
Quoted:
Stitches, no problem. DIY Staples, have them do it. Some ER docs are nice and will hand out staple removers. Others are even nicer and won't use staples. The last time I busted my head open they used staples.. They didn't need to shave the area, like they did to stitch it up, the time before staples..... |
|
Quoted:
I had surgery on my left leg about three weeks ago and I was supposed to get my stitches out last week. For a variety of reasons I can't get in to my orthopedic surgeon until mid week next week to get the stitches out. Would it be possible for me to just take them out myself? If I do, do I just cut the end knots and then pull them out? You can do it. Disinfect/wash everything before use. Do it soon. Your skin will have grown around the stitches and it will take a bit of a tug to pull them free. It should go without saying, don't pull the know through the hole in your skin. |
|
I wouldn't take stitches out unless you know the wound is ready for it. Depending on where it is I wouldn't take them out without having something like Steri-strips available.
Post a picture if you want. But yes, it's as simple as cutting one end of the suture and pulling the rest out. Don't cut the knot. |
|
Quoted:
As long as you use an extremely sharp instrument, and thoroughly sterilize said instrument, it's very simple and safe. Cut one side, then pull through. It's pretty important to sterilize the suture area also, right? The one time a doc suggested that I could do it myself, he suggested a soap and water wash and an alcohol irrigation at the site. I did so and had no problems. But I think alcohol on living tissue is frowned upon these days. The gist was that the instruments, hands, sutures and site had to be clean for it to be safe. These were monofilament sutures if that makes a difference. ETA: how far along you are in the course of antibiotics might affect what the doc thinks is ok. 
|
| Thanks for all the advice. Got some small scissors from Walgreens for $4 and some tweezers. Sterilized them and went to work. Only one of the stitch loops disturbed a nerve. There was a minimal amount of blood. I now have two 8" long scars running right through the middle of a fairly large tattoo on my leg. Chicks dig scars though right? |
|
Quoted:
I had surgery on my left leg about three weeks ago and I was supposed to get my stitches out last week. For a variety of reasons I can't get in to my orthopedic surgeon until mid week next week to get the stitches out. Would it be possible for me to just take them out myself? If I do, do I just cut the end knots and then pull them out? If i could handle taking 9 stitches out of the ol' bean bag, you can handle your leg. |
|
Quoted:
Take a shot of high proof liquor, then quickly (while there is still liquor residue in your mouth) grab the knot with your teeth and yank. This is bad advice, don't do this. Pour alcohol on some nail clippers and your skin plus stitch, cut the stitch so you have plenty to grip on. Sometimes they come out easier one way versus another so you might have to cut the knot on either side. I agree with a previous poster, it's better to do your self as you can feel what's going on. It will feel a little weird. Might feel a bit of pain if there is a close nerve. Pause and resume when your ready. And keep your filthy mouth away from then i dont care how much alcohol you got in there. It is also foolish to yank on a still fresh wound. |