Question:
Can They Use SteriStrips or Stitches to close your incisions?
I have a fear of staples, so my question is does the surgeon have to use staples or can he use regular stitches or SteriStrips. They did use the SteriStrips when I had my tubes tied. Is this a similar procedure? — Nicole B. (posted on March 13, 2003)
March 13, 2003
My surgeon used "hollywood sutures" on the inside, glue and steri
strips on the outside, no staples!
— ~~Stacie~~
March 13, 2003
I had lap surgery and had subcuteous sutures (all underneath the skin) and
no steri strips.
— koogy
March 13, 2003
I notice you are a "lightweight" like i was. My surgeon used
Dermabond glue. I really didn't want stitches or staples either. Never had
them. And I guess the glue works really well when your on the lighter side
of Obesity. Maybe not.. but thats what the Dr said. I loved it, because i
didn't have to worry about getting anything pulled or taken out. The glue
just eventually starts peeling and washing away. It seemed mine all went
away about 2-3 months post op.
I would ask your doctor about using this. Good luck
— Sunny4x4chick
March 13, 2003
Oh.. also, he used dissolving stitches on the inside.. and a little bit of
the stitch was on the outside at the top & bottom of my incision which
eventually dissolved also.
— Sunny4x4chick
March 13, 2003
I had OPEN RNY and they used both some sort of digestable stiches (don't
have to be removed), staples, and the steri-strips.
<p>As far as the staples, I never felt them when they were in. When
they told me they were going to take them out, I was in a bit of fear but
no need the staples don't go in very deep and are only there to anchor the
top layer of skin. ABSOLUTELY NO PAIN WHILE IN OR WHEN REMOVED!
<p> Take CAre, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.
March 13, 2003
I had Lap RNY 9/2001 and they used "surgical super glue" instead
of staples, at least on the visible part of the incisions and now they look
like mild mosquito bites, if that much. Good luck to you.
— Mary O.
March 13, 2003
I had open RNY and my doc used the glue stuff too. I didn't have anythign
holding me together on the outside. It was great and never opened or
anything.
— SarahC
March 13, 2003
I had SteriStrips - they were easy!
— jen41766
March 13, 2003
My Doc closes with a product called TEGADERM. It's a clear adhesive type
that is breathable. You can shower right away if needed, it stays intact
until ripped off (no pain honest!)It left me with a thin white line instead
of rail road tracks in the incision area.
— ZZ S.
March 13, 2003
I had lap rny with 7 incisions. Steri-strips were used and were greatly
appreciated! All but one fell off on their on around 4 weeks post-op. I was
able to shower with no problem- they stayed on well.......Good
luck!......Karen (lap rny-9/20/03- down 118 pounds!)
— karmiausnic
March 13, 2003
I had my surgery 3/4/03. My doctor used steri-strips and they are holding
well. He told me that the strips will evenutally fall off by themselves.
— Sandy P.
March 13, 2003
Get LAP surgery. Very small openings with tiny stitcjes or tape. That way
theres no big external staples at all.
— bob-haller
March 13, 2003
I had Open RNY and my doctor used glue and some type of surgical tape that
disintegrated over time. No staples.
My scar is barely visible at this point (almost 2 yrs.) It is a very thin
white line maybe 3 1/2 inches long.
— M P.
March 14, 2003
I had the lap on the original/first surgery but I had two other surgeries
following that one, where on the last one they had done an open surgery.
They had put a "vac" machine on the large open scar and it is
healing so well. I was on it for weeks but I had no pain what-so-ever,
except when a little of the foam had stuck in the wound, but it was much
better than the staples from the first surgery.
— Pam M.
March 14, 2003
Nicole,
Gotta tell ya, I was afraid of staples too, and I was very weary when I
woke up and saw them. I was afraid to get them out. Well, it was a piece of
cake. Unlike staples that we put into paper, these staples don't actually
bend into you, they just pop out, easily. I was amazed when I had them
removed. Ask your doctor what they use. My friend just had the surgery too,
and she had the new glue. Will wonders never cease?
Good luck,
Christine
— wiggie34
March 16, 2003
I have had staples for my c-section/tubal, Staples didnt hurt when they
took them out, they felt like a little pull (i am numb down there from the
surgery).
I had steri strips with my open rny, i was supprised to see them (i had lap
rny with complications and they opened me up and finished the surgery)
well, the steri strips didnt hurt too much (i pulled them off when they
were loose over my incision but they were still attached to my surrounding
skin) i think that hurt more then the staples and i have little irritation
bumps from where they were.
I know the fear your going through though, i was so scared when my nurse
came to take the staples out, but after the first one it wasnt so bad, i
think the anxiety is worse then the actual staples.
— rachel W.
Click Here to Return