Stitches vs. Staples

zebrastripes · October 2011

I am scheduled for my 2nd csection Oct 27th and am having a hard time deciding on staples or stitches. I had staples with DD and thought I wanted stitches until I talked to my doc. One reason I didn't like the staples was because it hurt to have them taken out and also my skin started shrinking before they were taken out and it started ripping the skin where the staples were which hurt. My doc said he normally does staples b/c he tends to get better results. He said he could do the stitches if that's what I wanted. he also said he normally takes the staples out on the 2nd day. My staples were taken out with DD on the 4th or 5th day and my doc said that might have been why it started ripping.

My scar healed very well from the staples and is barely visible. I was seeing a midwife at the beginning of the pregnancy and told her I had a csection. She actually asked me where it was b/c she didn't see any scar. I had to point it out to her for her to see it. Another doc was doing an exam on me not even a year after the csection and was completely amazed on how well I had healed. I have seen others csection scars and some do look pretty bad. So I am not sure if my scar healed b/c staples were used, my body heals differently than some, or a combination of both.

Please share your experiences.

nybride10 · October 2011

i had dissolvable stitches and staples. i had my staples removed a week after LO was born. it was annoying but not painful and i don't have visible scar.

ambigs · October 2011

i had some type of absorbable? staples with both my c/s. they worked well my first time, so i asked for them for my 2nd section. i would totally recommend them!

lilylow · October 2011

I had the glue and it was awesome.

mrsseguin · October 2011

I had stitches both times. Just a preference. I think it heals better and you don't have to worry about getting anything removed afterwards.

JG362009 · October 2011

My brother is an OB and his suggestion to me was to go with what the doctor's strong suit is. He said that there were articles out there that said cosmetically, there is no difference in outcome between staples or stiches. I see his point -- you want your surgeon to use what they are the most adept at using. I will say that I had stiches and my scar looks like sh*t. But, if staples were really uncomfortable for you, you could go with stiches. Personally, I'd take a scar that sounds as awesome as yours over some temporary pain associated with staples -- coming from someone who HATES her c-section scar!

LSUmommy4 · October 2011

I do agree I would probably go with what my doctor feels best with to get the best results...that being said I had stitches and 11 months later my scar is barely recognizable...she did a fantastic job but again it depends on the doctor

nic5606 · October 2011

I work in the medical field. Unless you have a really good reason for wanting/not wanting either staples, sutures or dermabond (glue).

I would let your doctor use what they use regularly if you want the best results.

I was offered all three and asked my obgyn what she liked best and said staples. I went with staples and they were removed on day 3 (day of discharge).

My scar is minimal.

Good look with the repeat c section.

liladelphia215 · October 2011

I had staples that were removed a week after. The staples pulling on my skin sucked the last couple of days, I won't lie, but 8 months pp, and my scar is hardly noticeable. Taking them out didn't bother me, there was only one that hurt and it was because as my skin shrank, it went into an awkward position, the rest I didn't even feel coming out.

hafenton · October 2011

I had dissolveable stitches. my daughter will be 3 months on the 27th. barely noticeable.

Battlebaby09 · October 2011

I had glue and I am very satisfied with my scar...It kinda freaked me out some, because I was unsure of how reliable it was and if it should be peeling off or not. But over all after the fact I hope it is done the same way.

MeghanF13 · October 2011

I had dissolving stitches with no problems. My scar is barely noticeable. FWIW, I think all of them are good at stitches - don't they use stitches to close the inside? I was given a choice and the nurse recommended the stitches because then I didn't have to have anything taken out.

seells · October 2011

I had dissolving stitches. I thought they were awesome. Didn't need them taken out and my incision healed beautifully. You can't hardly tell it's even there. If I have a csection with the next child I will also do stitches.

DawnJM25 · October 2011

I had staples and my dr. had me come in 7 days later to have them taken out. Some skin had started growing over them, but it still didn't hurt too bad to have them taken out. Next time around I think I'd choose staples again just because they seemed to work out fine. I'm only 4 weeks post surgery so my scar hasn't totally healed yet, but it seems to be looking fine so far.

amos2006 · October 2011

I am a visiting nurse, have been for years, I will tell you that over the past few years I have seen more and more doc's switching to disolvable stitches underneath with dermabond(skin glue) at the surface, and have not seen any issues with this process, not 1 infection from various types of surgeries.

Staples are painful for many, I think have a higher incidence of infection, atleast in my experience, why choose a route that even needs to be removed when there are options that don't require this.

That being said, when I had DD my OB used disolvable stiches and steristrips, nothing to be removed.

You are probably a really good healer.

harlansmommy · October 2011

With my first, I had the dissolvable sutures with the dermabond over top. I actually had a build up of fluid and the incision came open after 1 week. They couldnt reclose it and DH had to pack it daily until it healed. I am not sure if it was the fault of the dermabond or if the fluid would of built up anyway but i intend to ask that dermabond not be used this time just to give the incision a better chance of draining. I have heard this has happened with staples too so it just may have been me.

indika236 · October 2011

Glue!! It was wonderful and I barely have a scar at all. Never even had to have a bandage over my incision

HBaylies · October 2011

I had staples and hated them. They were very itchy, which I knew would happen since jewelry makes me itch, the inside of buttons on jeans, etc... I just have super sensative skin. I didn't even know I was getting staples until I heard them. The end ones of each side were the most itchy and oozy. I had to get a script because my MW suspected an infection underneath. Taking them out hurt, but then the little holes left afterwards hurt even more. It was like raw skin always rubbing against something. And I even have dots as scars above and below the line from a few of the staples. This time I will be asking for stitches.

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