Question:
One of my staples came out while I was cleaning the incision...

I dab hydrogen peroxide on my incision at least once or twice daily to keep the area clean. I'm always gentle about it. This morning as I was doing this, one of my staples came out. It wasn't painful, but I'm a bit worried about the incision opening. I've had the staples in 20 days and I'm not getting them out till Thursday. Have they been in long enough to have healed the site adequetly?    — Donna L. (posted on December 30, 2001)

December 30, 2001
I had my staples in 10 days and my incision is healing beautifully -- no leaks or anything. I'm sure if it came out, it was time for it to come out. The surgeons in this area generally keep staples in 1-2 weeks.
   — kristinevok

December 30, 2001
I am sure it is fine I had staples and had them taken out at two weeks. If you start oozing anything or if it starts to bleed call your doc, but otherwise you will be fine.
   — cassandra H.

December 30, 2001
wow thats a long time to have staples in, mine were taken out after only 2 1/2 days then that incision tape was put on it, which is still on my tummy...i had surgery dec 18th so far so good but i always watch for signs...im sure that staple was ready to come out if it just fell out of you like that...look for infection signs, keep it clean and call your surgeon as soon as you can...
   — Deanna Wise

December 30, 2001
Yes, I think that's fine. I had one come loose around the 3rd day after surgery and the surgeon reached down and said let me take that out, and yanked it out. It didn't hurt but I almost had a heart attach...however the incision healed up just fine. I had the rest of them taken out about 8 days later. -Kim open RNY 7/17 -78
   — KimBo36

December 30, 2001
Donna, I hope I am not the bearer of bad news. I had my staples out at two weeks. When they took them out I came apart, literally. They had to work fast to glue me back together then they taped me. It made for an icky scar. If it is just one I can understand you will be okay but if more fall out, call your surgeon. It's scary as can be to look down and see you opening like a ziplock bag! Good luck to you! Amy
   — purdue_1993

December 30, 2001
I had half my staples taken out 8 days after surgery. The incision was fine. The rest of them came out 19 days after surgery which seemed like a long time to me. About a week before the rest of the staples were taken out three of them came out on there own. Since you have had your staples in for 20 days there will not be a problem with your incision opening up.
   — blank first name B.

December 31, 2001
Mine were in seven days. I can't believe yours is in so long. Once I had stiches that were in to long and they hurt bad coming out. Seems like 7-10 days is long enough. Anyway, I would think you would be ok. If in doubt, or you see a problem call your surgeon or get to the emergency room at once. But after 20 days, it would seem like it would'nt open at this point???
   — Danmark