Question:
Staples vs. sutures. Was anyone given a choice of which to have?

Does anyone know if there is a choice between staples or sutures for the outside of the incision? Which one is better?    — Chris M. (posted on July 3, 1999)

July 3, 1999
Generally speaking, the decision between sutures or staples is one only the doctor is qualified to make. In my case I have 6 rows of surgical stainless steel staples in my stomach and personally I feel much more comfortable with that than with sutures which of course can break. Rich
   — Richard T.

July 3, 1999
HI there....i think Rich Terry was thinking about the inside of you not the incisional part...as far as that is concerned i would talk to your doctor and let him know your preference but in the end it will be his decision...i had neither..i just was glued and steri stripped so nothing to remove later...it was wonderful...good luck!
   — BARBARA R.

July 5, 1999
The best choice is neither! My scar is glued shut. It looks great. It has been 10 weeks now since my surgery, and the scar looks great. No stitches or staples. Ask your surgeon about it. It is a plastic surgeon technique.
   — Paula D.

July 5, 1999
Hi Chris ... I'm sure that your surgeon uses whatever he/she feels is best. All I can tell you is that with the bypass I had staples .. lots of them, it was the only thing that kinda scared me (having them removed). Dr. Lirio assured me that it would not hurt to have them removed, I was in the bed and amazed! I did not even know he had begun taking them out. For the tummy tuck I had both staples & sutures .. again the staples did not hurt to be removed and the sutures only pinched a bit. Both times I was left with little tiny pencil line scars, now who knows if that has anything to do with the type of closure, my guess is, it has more to do with Dr. Lirio's talent. Good Luck ! Mary Anne
   — Mary Anne M.

July 16, 1999
I was given the choice and chose the steri-strips. No stitches or staples to be removed. All the stitches were internal. It makes for a prettier scar and also there is no going back to have the staples removed. I was very happy. I had staples in a prior surgery and was much more comfortable with the steri-strips.
   — Donna D.