Question:
Oh no, how can I get my rings off?

I didn't think about taking off my rings until today. My surgery is the day after tomorrow. I have tried soap, lotion...and I can't get my rings past my knuckles. Any suggestions? I know I may have to get them cut, but I don't wanna if I don't hafta. Thanks!    — Sandra E. (posted on January 26, 2002)

January 26, 2002
Have you tried soaking your hands in cold water? Perhaps with some baby oil...or oil of any kind?
   — Jacque P.

January 26, 2002
Getting your hands as cold as possible is the best answer I can think of. I'd even use ice water if I could. If you have any tendency for your hands to swell, the cold will shrink them as much as you're probably going to be able to. Good luck.
   — garw

January 26, 2002
before u resort to cutting ur rings call ur surgeons office or the hospital u will be in & tell them ur rings r stuck on ur finger & ask if they can tape ur finger, over the rings. dont say anything about having them cut off. i have seen this done many times.
   — sheryl titone

January 26, 2002
I had this happen once and someone told me to wrap dental floss around my finger which squeezes in the fat and made them small and it worked. You have to work fast because it cuts off the circulation it's usually just that top part you have to wrap.
   — Candace F.

January 27, 2002
I didn't have to take my wedding band off for surgery -- I could have but nobody asked me to. Are you sure you have to take them off? You may want to double check before you take any drastic measures. Good Luck!
   — Pam S.

January 27, 2002
Hi Sandra, I had to have my ring cut off the morning of surgery because I couldn't get mine off either. The nurse tried the dental floss trick, but it didn't work for me. They absolutely would not allow me to have surgery with my ring on. So it had to be cut off. <P>My suggestion to you is that you go to a jeweler where they can make a clean simple cut that can easily be repaired or resized when you are back out of the hospital. <P>Depending on how long you are under anesthesia will depend on whether the hospital staff will allow you to go in with or without rings. The longer you are under, the more dangerous it is and the more likely your fingers will swell. Please don't take any chances. You must get those rings off!! <P>God bless you in your upcoming surgery.
   — artistmama

January 27, 2002
Some hospital recommend to remove them and others dont. Mine however did recommend it and i was glad I did remove them. The IV they put in my hand caused my hand to swell four times the actual size, and it stay swollen for 2 weeks afterwards.... However if you have to cut them off dont worry because you will need to have them resized down the road anyways. and it will be SMALLER.... I have not been to get my rings fix yet but my wedding rings that were so tight on the ring finger now fit loose on the middle finger. Some I have taken off until I get down to or close to goal weight. My bracelet now slides off my hand without undoing it. So if you have to cut them... Best wishes to you. REMEMBER DREAMS DO COME TRUE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVES JAY
   — jay B.

January 27, 2002
Hi, Try the dentle floss trick. I had a problem when I was pregnant and retaining water. My doctor slipped one end of the floss under and through my ring and held it tight. Then you wrap the rest of the floss very tightly around your finger, all the way up. Try to pull on the ring and use the end that is through it to help, it should come off easily. Good Luck.
   — M. S.