Question:
After you have the surgery do the stitches come out on their own? or does the doctor

or does the doctorhave to remove them. I totally forgot to ask my doctor, because I was so happy to be going home earlier than expected. He is not in the office today or tomorrow, but I have an appointment with him on the 17th of April, but I was wondering if the stitches disolve on their own before I go to my first appointment... Thanks all    — Ang B. (posted on April 3, 2001)

April 3, 2001
I think most doctors do an internal set of stitches that probably dissolve over time and external stitches or staples. I had external metal staples and the doctor removed them in his office on my first post op visit. Most surgeons remove every other external staple before you leave the hospital. However, I have a large abdominal area and had some drainage when I would sit up so he left them all in until my first appt.
   — Jan M.