Staples?

jen302

So my frown who Is a nurse and works for a plastic surgeon says that stitches are better than staples as far as scarrin and risk for infection. Any input on this? Anyone have both and see a difference?

drmsg

I use stitches only because my patients like them better. It seems that staple removal cause a lot of anxiety for people. Most OBs use staples because they are faster. In reality the end result is pretty equivalent if the staples are removed early. If the staples stay in more than 4-5 days they start making "railroad tracks" that may not go away. So if you get staples ask to have them removed on post-op day 3 or 4.

Here is an article on C-Section Recovery that may be helpful.

mlf625

I'm always surprised by how many on here get staples.  My TX OB did stitches and my WI one does as well.  I was glad not to have to go back and have anything removed, and my scarring was definitely minimal.

lil_jen051708

I had stitches initially but threw up for a few hours after surgery and ended up with staples in half becuase my incision ripped open.  Honestly, my OB said he prefers to do staples but a lot of patients freak out about them (and other dr's in his practice do stitches) so he stitches too. 

The half of my incision that was stapled is far smoother than the side that just had stitches.  I have no idea if this will change as I heal and go on but 8 weeks out, that's what I notice.  I will actually probably ask for staples if I have a repeat c/s.

juliane2004

I was told staples are better for keeping an eye on the incision. If there's a problem when  taking them out, the staples can be taken out one at a time whereas the stitches are taken out all at once, and would need to be redone if the incision opens.

tawillers

I had stitches with my first c/s and staples with my second.  My doctor said he always does staples for 2+ c/s.

My staples were removed on day 6 and my scar is pretty nonexistent.

MichelleL1118

My OB used/uses super glue & steri-strips - no staples *or* stitches.  My scar is pretty nonexistent as well.  I'm hoping it heals as well after this next c/s.

GypsyEsq

Staples were indicated for RCS and twin delivery -- first csection was dissolvable sutures and steri strips.  I really disliked the staples but my scar looks better now.

Zimger

My doc used stitches and staples. He only used the staples on the right side of the incision and only as a precaution because I tore a little when they delivered him. They removed them before I left the hospital and the stitches dissolved.

ETA: I have minimal scarring.

harmonicbabe26

I had staples after my csection and stitches after having my appendix taken out and the staple scar looks A LOT neater and thinner...

I wonder if staples are "frowned upon" by some docs because doing "pretty" stitches takes more practice or skill. In any case, I don't care for a doc to use me as a practice dummy. I'd rather have a nicely healed scar than be an exhibit for their art of stitching...

rosesandpeonies

I had staples the first time and I got infected and yuck I didnt like them.  Second time I had stitches and had a great experience with them.  You can't really pick usually though.  It is up to your dr. and what they prefer.  If I had a choice I would get stitches again.  I did see a difference.

Neener73

I had staples.  They were removed 3 days post-op before I went home.  A nurse removed them, and I didn't feel a thing.  She asked me if I wanted to know how many were used.  I told her once they were all out, then she could tell me.  I had 13 staples.  After the staples were removed, the nurse put on steri-strips just to help make the incision a little stronger. 

It doesn't look like I'll be able to tell the difference between having stitches vs. staples because the scar is healing very well.  At first, I wasn't thrilled with the staples because I had some pretty intense burning on one side of the incision, and the nurses said that the staples could cause that burning feeling.  After they were removed, I still had the burning feeling, so it was being caused by the internal stitches, not the staples.

Temp6313048411121614

I had staples.  My scar looks fantastic.  My staples were removed around day 7, I do have some tiny dots where the staples were, but it's below the pubic line, nobody would ever see it anyway.  It took about 12-18m to be fully healed (as in no redness, no different texture, etc). 

Kie310

I had staples & steri-strips. The staples were removed the morning I left the hospital.

Honestly, I'm fine with it. I had no problems & you can honestly not see my scar unless I tell you it's there. (The new OB I saw at my practice last night actually said that to me too! She was like, "If I didn't know, you can't tell.")

MrsF 919

My OB said staples are much better for reducing scarring issues.  I had staples and They removed the staples right before I left the hospital and applied steri-strips. Honestly my husband and I weren't sure where the scar was for awhile which is awesome!! I was nervous about it because I scar easily.