[seeker1950]

I was told to return to the ER to have the stitches (7) removed from the wound from my leg after 10 days. I didn't want to spend hours in the ER, so I looked up removing stitches online, and viewed several Youtube videos. I thought....I can do that!
The wound I incurred on my shin took out a substantial amount of tissue, leaving a gap, and the ER doc had to draw in the skin, stating there would be a scar. I actually waited another day before the time I was supposed to have the stitches removed. Today I did it myself. I'm watching the wound, and I'm concerned that it may be separating a bit. If it continues to do so, I'll go to the ER, but that will probably mean more stitches, so I'm hoping it will heal okay. I'll keep watching.

[Inedible]

Isn't there a liquid bandage product that dries solid and is basically a type of glue that can be safe for cuts? It seems like that, or maybe superglue, would hold it together as well as stitches. Just a thought. And it comes off on its own.

[kirby777]

Originally Posted by seeker1950

I was told to return to the ER to have the stitches (7) removed from the wound from my leg after 10 days. I didn't want to spend hours in the ER, so I looked up removing stitches online, and viewed several Youtube videos. I thought....I can do that!
The wound I incurred on my shin took out a substantial amount of tissue, leaving a gap, and the ER doc had to draw in the skin, stating there would be a scar. I actually waited another day before the time I was supposed to have the stitches removed. Today I did it myself. I'm watching the wound, and I'm concerned that it may be separating a bit. If it continues to do so, I'll go to the ER, but that will probably mean more stitches, so I'm hoping it will heal okay. I'll keep watching.

Hi-
Were the sutures black? What does the wound look like? Did you clean it after you removed the sutures? I dislike going to the ER as well. Great job!

[SilverNeurotic]

I only had stitches once, and my mother removed them as she's a nurse.

[possum220]

If it looks like it is separating try butterfly bandaids to pull the two sides back together. I would not recommend using superglue, but there is a glue that doctors use.

Do keep an eye on it.

[unaluna]

Apparently you also needed one of those dog megaphone collars to keep you away from it! hope it turns out okay!! I'm gonna go be sick now!!

Great job Patty. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it continues to heal.

[Perna]

Nah, you can't have stitches in the same place twice; been there, tried that when I was six or seven. I split open my chin and had 7 stitches and, in the 1950's (as you know :-) the waiting lines to see the doctor weren't so long so got them taken out a week later, etc. and we went to my aunt and uncles where I immediately banged my chin on my cousins' playground equipment and split it open again. We went back and they said, "sorry" and put a bandaid on it. Apparently the stitches are mostly just so there's less of a scar (it might heal all puckered otherwise). Don't you have a doc-in-a-box walk-in place you could go to near you? I'd just keep watching it and keeping it clean, etc., only go back to the doctor if it started to look or feel different/nasty.

[seeker1950]

Originally Posted by Perna

Nah, you can't have stitches in the same place twice; been there, tried that when I was six or seven. I split open my chin and had 7 stitches and, in the 1950's (as you know :-) the waiting lines to see the doctor weren't so long so got them taken out a week later, etc. and we went to my aunt and uncles where I immediately banged my chin on my cousins' playground equipment and split it open again. We went back and they said, "sorry" and put a bandaid on it. Apparently the stitches are mostly just so there's less of a scar (it might heal all puckered otherwise). Don't you have a doc-in-a-box walk-in place you could go to near you? I'd just keep watching it and keeping it clean, etc., only go back to the doctor if it started to look or feel different/nasty.

Perna...I wouldn't have gone for stitches, except it was a down to the bone wound with a substantial amt of tissue cut away. Not a regular cut, but a big open wound with missing tissue and wide. Last night, after a day of going without the stitches, it was really red and inflamed looking around it. Also hot. I went to the bathroom and used some of the saline wound cleansing solution, then dried it off with a clean towel, put some Neosporin on it. Today, it's better. I was just worried about infection.
There WILL definitely be a scar, but that is okay, just want it to heal!
Thanks,
Patty

Yes I have done this myself, but it's better to get the doctor or a nurse to do it for you. I have also performed minor surgery on myself. One time I removed my own toenail, and also when I was 4 some flesh was bitten out of my arm and I put that flesh back in the gaping hole from whence it was ripped. The doctor later sewed it all back up.

Originally Posted by seeker1950

Perna...I wouldn't have gone for stitches, except it was a down to the bone wound with a substantial amt of tissue cut away. Not a regular cut, but a big open wound with missing tissue and wide. Last night, after a day of going without the stitches, it was really red and inflamed looking around it. Also hot. I went to the bathroom and used some of the saline wound cleansing solution, then dried it off with a clean towel, put some Neosporin on it. Today, it's better. I was just worried about infection.
There WILL definitely be a scar, but that is okay, just want it to heal!
Thanks,
Patty

Eeek! I hope it doesnt get infected. I'd taken stitches out of animals and I figured it wouldnt be much different for me, and it wasnt, all went well and I have survived through many self un-stitching jobs. My wounds were always healed quite well so I never had the problem of infection after this time.