Staples vs. Stitches

sxyhrdrssr · November 2011

So I was talking to my OB who prefers to do staples and then remove them a week later. He said he would so stitches if I wanted, but that he typically uses staples. Anyone have experience with staples? How do you care for them, how weird is it, an did it hurt when they were removed? Should I request stitches instead?

jmelynnmarie · November 2011

I know plenty of people who have had staples. I don't know how true it is, but I've read that if you are closed with staples that you have to be more careful of reopening the incision. I feel like this is true of stitches also though. I have no idea what the proper term for my stitches is, but they were fabulous. They literally looked like a piece of dental floss that was "woven" through my skin! They came out before I left the hospital. The nurse grabbed one end, gave a little tug, and it was out! I had no idea she was even doing it and I barely felt a thing!!!

Good Luck!!

caprocornia · November 2011

I had dissolvable staples. I can't answer the question about removal, but as far as having staples over stitches, I had no issues at all.

FusionLMT · November 2011

They used internal sutures that dissolved + steri strips on the outside for me (that stay on for a few weeks until they are easily peeled off). These were wonderful, and you just leave them on until they fall off. There was no rubbing on metal or worrying about the staples poking me. My scar is soooo light and healed up so well. Plus then you don't have to have anything removed. I have heard this usually helps w/ scarring as well as opposed to staples. Staples are easier and faster for the doctors, so that is why many people still get them, but I believe that sutures and steri strips are better.

LCB34 · November 2011

I had staples that were removed the day I was discharged (so 4 days post c/s). It didn't hurt at all when they were removed.

They covered my incision with steri strips and I haven't had a single issue with my scar/ incision since giving birth.

HBaylies · November 2011

I had staples and personally hated them. I have very sensative skin when it comes to metals, even white gold earrings on holes I have had for 20 years sometimes itch, get red, and swell a little. My eyebrow piercing has rejected itself twice. You get the idea. So the skin around my staples was all red and itchy within a couple days. They also pulled a few times on the pad I was wearing across them to protect them and that HURT. Also since my staple holes weren't doing so good, they oozed a little and it would dry as a crust, stick to the pad, then pull off the dried scab all over again every time I had to go to the bathroom or someone had to check the staples. A couple days after I left the hospital I went back to my MW because they were oozing more. She gace me a script because she suspected an infection under the skin was causing the oozing. I went back a week later to get them out. Taking them out didn't hurt and I felt SO much better after they were gone and I just had the steri-strips. The itching intensity was cut in half, no more crust stuck to a pad, and no more fear the staples would catch on something like a towel.

I'm sure other people had positive experiences with staples, so certainly don't just go by me, but I HATED them.

cassoppea · November 2011

LCB34:
I had staples that were removed the day I was discharged (so 4 days post c/s). It didn't hurt at all when they were removed.

They covered my incision with steri strips and I haven't had a single issue with my scar/ incision since giving birth.

This exactly for me too!

JosiePosy · November 2011

I had internal stitches and staples on the outside. Posed no problem whatsoever. They were removed on day 5 before I was discharged and there was no pain involved at all. After that I had steri strips in place for about a week or so. I would do it again without hesitating one bit.

Mrs. Alice · November 2011

I had staples and they were removed on the day I was discharged from the hospital. My incision healed beautifully without issues. There is really not much to caring for them and it didn't hurt at all when they were removed.

magoonick · November 2011

Same here.

MrsCali_Bride · November 2011

I had staples and they were removed 4 days pp before I was discharged from the hospital. Steri-strips were put over the incision and stayed on for a couple of weeks until they fell off. Most of the staples were fine coming out, just a little tug, but a few of them really hurt. A friend of mine has had three c-sections and she said that the reason those few hurt was because they had started to scab over. With each of her sections she had the staples removed a few days earlier and she said they hurt less and less. I don't know if there is any truth to that as I've only had one c-section but it sounds plausible to me.

sxyhrdrssr · November 2011

Thanks for all the responses! I feel much better about the staples! Now if only i could feelbetter about the c section procedure...

rachbenn2007 · November 2011

I had staples last time and I had no problems with them. My incision healed wonderfully! It doesn't hurt at to get them removed. My OB prefers the Dermabond glue, but I had a reaction to it and my incision healed funny the first time, so he decided to do staples the second time and I requested them this time.

Caring for them I think is easy, you just have to be careful when you shower to make sure your wash cloth doesn't get snagged and pull one out. I had a binder on right after my c-section so I didn't worry about my clothes getting caught on them.

samm1983 · November 2011

I had staples that were removed the day I left the hospital and the strips were put on. My incision ended up opening with a nasty infection 2 weeks later, but I don't think that has anything to do with it.

Michi2325 · November 2011

I had a horrible experience with staples

My stomach skin was very loose, my son was 10lbs 9oz at birth and the skin folded over the staples and started to heal that way, it got infected as a result. When the staples came out it was incredibly painful I thought I was going to pass out.....the Dr left the room to give me a break. Obviously this isnt the norm but I will be talking abou this to the OB this time and explaining what happened and see what he says about it.

BabyBLove · November 2011

I also had staples, as my doctor prefers them too... and he even said they tend to heal better. I was kind of weirded out by them at first too, but my incision healed great, no complications, and to my surprise - they did not hurt one bit when removed (they were taken out the morning I left the hospital). I have an allergy to certain metals, and brought this up to my doctor. I believe he said they are made of titanium (not a metal most are allergic to) so it shouldn't be a problem - and they weren't!

LadyXaverian · November 2011

I had staples and had no problem with them. My incision has healed perfectly.

genekelly · November 2011

I had staples. They took them out before I left the hospital and put some steristrips on. It wasn't weird at all and I barely felt the incision while in the hospital. I def felt the pain on trying to move but the staples didn't feel weird at all. They were painless to remove.

mlg79 · November 2011

I have only had dissolvable stitches and steri-strips. I had a friend who had staples and they became infected and the skin grew over them. It was awful for her and she said it hurt like heck when they finally took them out. I wouldnt want them.

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