Question:
What is better staples or stitches?

I was told that the Dr. I want to do my lap does it only with stitches. The things I've been reading sounds like staples are use more often.My question is what would be better? I plan on fellowing eveything my doctor tells me, but I dont want any addtional probmels later on down the road. Has anyone else come across this?    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 13, 2001)

July 13, 2001
I had staples with my lap, but I think I would have preferred stitches. I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post-op and my skin did not do well with the staples and while my scars are very small and healing nicely, the place where the staples were piercing the skin is very red and irritated and I think they will scar worse than where I was cut. Also, the staples were very uncomfortable, I think stitches would be a lot more pliable and therefore more comfortable. One of my cuts is at the breastbone and I could not wear a bra because it kept catching on the staples. I'm was very glad when they took the staples out. Good luck with your surgery!!
   — Lori W.

July 13, 2001
I didn't have staples or stitches, my incision was closed with steri (sp?) strips. That is what my surgeons preference is. Every surgeon is different.
   — JazzBear111

July 13, 2001
I had staples and was MAD! I figured this was because the dr was lazy and didn't want to stitch. They were uncomfortable and I think will leave more scarring, but I am putting on vitamin e oil 2X day to reduce ALL scarring.
   — Julie P.

July 13, 2001
Hi! I've had several surgeries, with sutures, staples and one that was just left open. Believe me, as long as they don't leave you open, "to heal from the inside out," it doesn't matter much. I've had sutures that drove me crazy with itching and sutures that broke. When they break, it's not fun. With my Lap RNY, they used staples. I'm now 7 months post-op and LOVE the way my scars are healing. They are fading fast, AND especially where the staples entered the skin, the scars are just about gone. It probably won't matter if they do staples or stitches, since either will work.
   — Maria H.

July 13, 2001
Hi! I had RNY open and I had no outside stitches or staples. My surgeon used surgical glue, a betadine film (infection protection) and steri-strips. Now at 2 1/2 weeks post op, I have a thin scar, about 10 inches long. I have had no real problems--just some oozing that started yesterday and is considered normal. He didn't use a drainage tube and my body didn't reasorb the fluid....it's putrid or infected or anything. Anyway, it was great to have only internal stitches. Good luck!!!!!
   — Sharon N.

July 13, 2001
OOPS--I meant to say it is NOT putrid or anything. I think I left out the not!! :-) That's what I get for posting at such an early hour!!
   — Sharon N.