Question:
Did your surgeon glue your incision?

Hi everyone- I've learned that my surgeon uses "human glue" (for lack of a better term) to close the incision on his WLS patients. I've done the surgical stitches route, both the dissolving type (had a terrible, itchy rash) and the type that needed to be removed (OUCH!). So I'm happy about the possibility of not dealing with stitches. I'd like to ask if any of your surgeons used the glue, and how did it work? Did you like it? Did you develop a rash? What did you need to do to care for it? How badly did you scar from it? Did it smell funny? (When I get hormonal, stinky things really bug me, sometimes even bringing on a migraine.) I'm going to be having open RNY due to my high BMI. Any info appreciated. Thanks, Mea    — Mea A. (posted on September 25, 2003)

September 24, 2003
My surgeon used the glue as well. I was suprised that is the choice of closure. I had my surgery this past Feb. The scar I have from that is atleast 50x worse then one I had for a hernia that used staples. With the hernia repair, I have a small thin scar, and you really have to look for the staple marks. With my gastric by-pass incision, I have a scar that is atleast the width of my pinky and about 6-7 inches long. Within the first few days of being home I also had trouble with 'gaping' in between the steri-strips. It was nasty. I would much rather have had staples, what difference does a little extra pain really make when in my case I was miserable for a good month? Hope this didn't scare ya too much!
   — Tracy T.

September 24, 2003
I had the glue on my incisions. I had no problems at all, except the bothersome of it flaking off. My scars are minimal. Put vitamin E oil on your scars. They will practically disappear. I did have one stitch where my drain was. That's a bigger scar and you can see the stitch marks. I don't care, I'm probably never going to be wearing a bikini. I never developed a rash and I don't think they smelled funny. Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I will pray you have a healthy and speedy recovery.
   — cinthygrady

September 24, 2003
I had surgery 3 months ago. I had the surgical glue for my incision. I did not have any problem with the glue. I was quite impress with that method. I have a very thin line scar. I was able to take a shower before I left the hospital. My scar was covered with a piece of tape. It eventually fell off. All I had to do was wash as I would with soap and water. I did use neosporin cream, vitamin E, and cocao butter. My doctor did not tell me I had to. I still use Vit E and cocoa butter, in hopes that it will help the scar disappear some.
   — Just P

September 24, 2003
heya hun..my doc used the glue too..which i gotta say..i didnt know he would..lol.. scared the hell outta me.. cause i didnt realize they use stiches on the inside..and glue on the outside..so i was terrified it would just bust right open(i had never had surgery before).. but it didnt..lol.. it was easy to care for..the flakin off was annoying..the worst thing for me..was it looked..soooo gross..cause..blood gets dried up under it..and ya cant wash it off..lol..soo..ya wait..i do have a pretty bad scar..but..i hear there is stuff i can do about it..mine went keltoid(i think thats the spellng for it).. but in the end.. a horrible scar..is not the end of the world..good luck to ya..
   — johanna F.

September 25, 2003
LOVED IT! no smell...no rash...no special dressings or cleanings and best yet minimal scaring ...I have just a fine line going down my abdomen....it looks great and i am only 6 weeks out...the glue starts to peel away after awhile and in the shower you just let a little water run over it and then pat it dry and that's it! I am very happy with my scar you will be too....
   — E. V.

September 25, 2003
I had dermabond used on my incisions and I am VERY happy with they way it looks now.
   — Sarah S.